India is set to release its first genome-edited rice variety, Pusa Rice DST1, for commercial production in the upcoming rabi season, with transplanting scheduled around November. Developed alongside DRR Dhan 100 (Kamala) in 2025, these varieties represent a shift in agricultural biotechnology by utilizing targeted gene modifications rather than traditional transgenic genetic modification.
Pusa DST Rice 1 is derived from the established MTU1010 variety and was developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi. The targeted edit focuses on the Drought and Salt Tolerance (DST) gene to improve the plant's capacity to cope with drought and salt-affected soils. According to ICAR field trials, the variety demonstrates yield advantages ranging from 9.66 percent to 30.4 percent over MTU1010 under specific saline and alkaline conditions. It is expected to be cultivated across several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
The second variety, DRR Dhan 100 or Kamala, was developed by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Rice Research in Hyderabad from the Samba Mahsuri (BPT 5204) variety. Scientists modified a gene involved in cytokinin metabolism to increase the number of grains produced per panicle. This variety matures in approximately 130 days—about 20 days faster than Samba Mahsuri—and features a stronger stalk designed to resist lodging.
Both varieties were developed using SDN-1 genome editing, which involves making targeted changes to genes already present in the plant without incorporating foreign genetic material. Under India's amended 2022 guidelines, modifications resulting from SDN-1 and SDN-2 processes are exempt from the rigorous regulatory framework applied to SDN-3 and traditional transgenic crops, provided the plants remain free of transgenes.
The commercial rollout follows biosafety scrutiny by the government, which assessed the varieties for the absence of foreign DNA, stability of mutations, and robustness of phenotype through multi-location testing across more than 50 sites during 2023 and 2024. Unlike traditional GM crops where farmers must purchase new seeds every season, gene-edited seeds function similarly to conventional seeds, which farmers can buy as needed.
Despite these approvals, the development has drawn scrutiny from some scientific quarters. An anonymous rice scientist with nearly 30 years of experience questioned whether the publicly available evidence is sufficient to explain the mechanisms behind the reported yield gains and whether these advantages will remain consistent across diverse environments without trade-offs. Anti-GM activists have similarly raised questions regarding the claimed advantages and potential unintended mutations.
India's regulatory landscape for biotechnology has historically centered around Bt Cotton, approved for commercial cultivation in 2002. Other biotech crops, such as Bt brinjal and GM mustard, have faced regulatory and legal roadblocks. Globally, regulatory frameworks are evolving to distinguish transgene-free gene-edited crops from conventional GMOs, with countries like the United States, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the European Union adopting distinct pathways for precision-bred and genome-edited agricultural products.
"The commercial introduction of genome-edited crops marks a significant regulatory and scientific milestone for Indian agriculture. By distinguishing SDN-1 and SDN-2 gene-edited products from traditional transgenic GMOs, the framework provides a clearer pathway for agricultural innovation. For the business and farming ecosystem, the key will be ensuring transparent scientific validation and consistent field performance to build market trust and drive adoption across climate-vulnerable regions." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes
