New Delhi: The Centre has proposed a complete ban on Carbosulfan, an insecticide widely used on paddy, cotton and horticultural crops, citing concerns over its risks to human health and the environment.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in an official gazette notification, issued a draft order proposing to prohibit the import, manufacture, sale, transport, distribution and use of Carbosulfan from the date of publication of the final order.

The draft also directs the Registration Committee to recall all certificates of registration issued for the insecticide.

“If any person who holds the certificate of registration fails to return the certificate to the Registration Committee, referred to in clause (2), within a period of three months, action shall be taken under the provisions contained in the said Act,” the draft said.

The Centre has also asked State governments to take necessary measures under the Insecticides Act, 1968, and the rules framed under it to enforce the proposed order.

Expert panel reviewed continued use

According to the notification, the Ministry constituted an Expert Committee on January 14, 2026, to examine the continued use of Carbosulfan in India. The panel submitted its report to the government on June 12, 2026.

The government subsequently sought the views of the Registration Committee constituted under the Insecticides Act, 1968. After examining available studies, data and safety concerns, the committee recommended a complete ban on Carbosulfan in the country.

The Registration Committee highlighted the insecticide’s high toxicity and its impact on both humans and non-target species.

“Registration Committee has noted in its recommendation that Carbosulfan is an intrinsically highly hazardous carbamate insecticide which is rapidly metabolised to carbofuran, a highly toxic metabolite responsible for severe cholinesterase inhibition and acute systemic toxicity; significant toxicity of Carbosulfan to birds, pollinators, aquatic organisms and other non-target species, together with international regulatory actions restricting or prohibiting its use in several countries,” the notification reads.

Committee flags poisoning risks

The committee also noted that there is no specific antidote for Carbosulfan poisoning and warned of the potential consequences of its continued use.

“There is no specific antidote to reverse Carbosulfan poisoning,” the notification said.

Based on the health and environmental concerns, the Registration Committee recommended an immediate and complete prohibition on the manufacture, import, transport, distribution, sale and use of Carbosulfan in India under the Insecticides Act, 1968.