India's adoption of genetically modified (GM) crops has stagnated since Bt cotton's approval in 2006. However, the momentum for genome-edited (GE) crops is increasing rapidly. In May 2023, two GE rice lines, improved variants of Samba Mahsuri and MTU-1010, received clearance after successful multi-location trials.
The enhanced Samba Mahsuri line showed an impressive average yield increase of 19%, while the GE variant MTU-1010 displayed remarkable tolerance to saline and alkaline soils. Additionally, a canola-quality mustard variety, resilient against significant fungal diseases and pests, is undergoing its second year of trials across 16 locations. If successful, it may be launched by August 2026, marking a new chapter in India's agricultural biotechnology.
Genetically modified (GM) crops incorporate foreign genes from unrelated species. For example, Bt genes from Bacillus thuringiensis are introduced in cotton to produce proteins that combat insects. In contrast, genome editing (GE) modifies only the plant's native genes. Using protein enzymes that function as "molecular scissors," GE alters specific DNA sequences to change a gene's function without adding foreign DNA.
A custom-designed guide RNA directs these scissors to the precise location in the genome. For India's new GE rice and mustard lines, scientists employed CRISPR-Cas technologies. For instance, Cas9 edited the drought-and-salt tolerance gene in MTU-1010 rice and 10 glucosinolate transporter genes in mustard. In Samba Mahsuri rice, Cas12a edited the cytokinin oxidase 2 (Gn1a) gene, which increased cytokinin levels, thereby boosting the number of spikelets and grain yield.
Notably, Cas proteins, derived from bacteria, are present only in the first generation of GE plants and are removed in subsequent breeding. Consequently, final GE plants are transgene-free, unlike GM crops that retain permanently inserted foreign genes.
GE plants that contain no foreign DNA are exempt from the stringent biosafety regulations applicable to GM crops. According to a memorandum from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in March 2022, GE crops require only approval from an Institutional Biosafety Committee, which certifies the absence of exogenous DNA. This streamlined process eliminates the need for clearance from the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) for field trials, seed production, or environmental release.
As GE crops are regarded as similar to conventional plant varieties, they encounter minimal regulatory barriers, allowing for faster research, trials, and eventual deployment compared to GM crops.
The government has actively supported the development of GE crops through substantial funding allocations. Research on improved GE rice varieties commenced in 2018 through the National Agricultural Science Fund. The 2023-24 Union Budget allocated ₹500 crore specifically for genome editing research.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) scientists have mapped and prioritized essential genes across key crops for targeted editing. A total of 178 target genes have been identified in 24 field crops, including cereals, pulses, oilseeds, and cotton. Additionally, 43 genes have been identified in 16 horticultural crops. With complete genome sequences now available for most of these crops, researchers can precisely locate each gene on its chromosome. This knowledge enables specific editing to enhance yield, stress tolerance, nutrition, and disease resistance.
The combination of relaxed regulations and significant funding highlights the government's desire to make genome editing a central tool in India's crop-breeding strategy, moving away from the stagnant GM crop path.
Developing GE crops necessitates specialized skills. So far, nine ICAR scientists have completed advanced training in the US, Europe, Australia, and CIMMYT (Mexico), with an additional 12 scheduled for upcoming international training. Collaboration with global leaders in GE is also underway.
In February 2025, the Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI), founded by Nobel laureate Jennifer Doudna, conducted intensive training sessions for IARI scientists and students. IGI provided advanced GE tools like GeoCas9 and CasLambda, expanding India's editing toolkit beyond Cas9 and Cas12a.
Moreover, an indigenous breakthrough has emerged from a team led by Kutubuddin Ali Molla at the Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, which has patented a homegrown genome-editing system based on TnpB proteins. This system offers several advantages, including smaller protein sizes for easier delivery into plant cells and cost-effectiveness due to indigenous intellectual property.
With global collaborations, domestic innovations, and robust capacity-building efforts, India is poised to advance its genome-editing ecosystem. Unlike GM crops, which have faced prolonged stagnation, the GE pathway appears set for sustained growth and adoption.
Q1. What are genome-edited crops?
Answer: Genome-edited crops are plants modified using techniques like CRISPR to alter their own native genes, enhancing traits without introducing foreign DNA.
Q2. How do genome-edited crops differ from genetically modified crops?
Answer: Unlike GM crops that incorporate foreign genes, genome-edited crops modify existing genes within the plant itself, making them transgene-free.
Q3. What is the significance of the recent policy changes in India regarding GE crops?
Answer: Recent policy changes have simplified the approval process for GE crops, allowing faster research, trials, and deployment compared to GM crops.
Q4. What role does the government play in supporting genome editing research in India?
Answer: The Indian government provides significant funding
Kutos : AI Assistant!
