This article provides a comprehensive list of pesticides currently subject to specific regulatory restrictions in India as of 31 March 2024. Restrictions are implemented to protect public health, the environment, and to ensure safer agricultural practices by limiting the use, production, and application of certain pesticides.
Pesticides banned from manufacture, import, and use + Pesticides banned from manufacture, import, and usehttps://ppqs.gov.in/sites/default/files/list_of_pesticides_which_are_banned_refused_registration_and_restricted_in_use_0.pdf No. Name Order and date 1 Alachlor S.O. 3951 (E), dated 8 August 2018 2 Aldicarb S.O. 682 (E) dated 17 July 2001 3 Aldrin 4 Benzene hexachloride 5 Benomyl S.O. 3951(E) dated 8 August 2018 6 Calcium cyanide 7 Carbaryl S.O. 3951(E) dated 8 August 2018 8 Chlorobenzilate S.O. 682 (E) dated 17 July 2001 9 Chlordane 10 Chlorfenvinphos 11 Copper acetoarsenite 12 Diazinon S.O. 3951(E) dated 8 August 2018 13 Dibromochloropropane (DBCP) S.O. 569 (E) dated 25 July 1989 14 Dichlorvos S.O. 3951 (E), dated 8 August 2018 15 Dicofol S.O. 4294(E) dated 3 October 2023 16 Dieldrin S.O. 682 (E) dated 17 July 2001 17 Dinocap S.O. 4294(E) dated 3 October 2023 18 Endosulfan ad-Interim order of the Supreme Court of India in the Writ Petition (Civil) No. 213 of 2011 dated 13 May 2011 and finally disposed of dated 10 January 2017 19 Endrin 20 Ethylmercury chloride 21 Ethyl parathion 22 Ethylene dibromide (EDB) S.O. 682 (E) dated 17 July 2001 23 Fenarimol S.O 3951(E) dated 8 August 2018 24 Fenthion S.O 3951(E) dated 8 August 2018 25 Heptachlor 26 Lindane (Gamma-HCH) 27 Linuron S.O 3951(E) dated 8 August 2018 28 Maleic hydrazide S.O. 682 (E) dated 17 July 2001 29 Menazon 30 Methomyl S.O. 4294(E) dated 3 October 2023 31 Methoxyethylmercury chloride S.O 3951(E) dated 8 August 2018 32 Methyl parathion S.O 3951(E) dated 8 August 2018 33 Metoxuron 34 Nitrofen 35 Paraquat dimethyl sulfate (Gramoxone) 36 Pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) S.O. 569 (E) dated 25 July 1989 37 Pentachlorophenol 38 Phenylmercury acetate 39 Phorate S.O. 3951 (E), dated 8 August 2018 40 Phosphamidon S.O. 3951 (E), dated 8 August 2018 41 Sodium cyanide banned for Insecticidal purpose only S.O 3951(E) dated 8 August 2018); Regulation to be continued in the extant manner for non-insecticidal uses. 42 Sodium methanearsonate 43 Tetradifon 44 Thiometon S.O 3951(E) dated 8 August 2018 45 Toxaphene (Camphechlor) S.O. 569 (E) dated 25 July 1989 46 Triazophos S.O. 3951 (E), dated 8 August 2018 47 Tridemorph S.O 3951(E) dated 8 August 2018 48 Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) S.O. 682 (E) dated 17 July 2001 49 Trichlorfon S.O. 3951 (E), dated 8 August 2018
Pesticides banned for use but manufacture allowed for export + Pesticides banned for use but allowed for export No. Name Order and date 1 Captafol 80% Powder S.O. 679 (E) dated 17 July 2001 2 Dichlorvos S.O. 1196 (E) dated 20 March 2020 3 Nicotine sulfate S.O. 325 (E) dated 11 May 1992 4 Phorate S.O. 1196 (E) dated 20 March 2020 5 Triazophos S.O. 1196 (E) dated 20 March 2020
Pesticides withdrawn + List of withdrawn pesticides No. Name Order and date 1 Dalapon 2 Ferbam 3 Formothion 4 Nickel chloride 5 Paradichlorobenzene (PDCB) 6 Simazine 7 Sirmate S.O. 2485 (E) dated 24 September 2014 8 Warfarin S.O. 915 (E) dated 15 June 2006
Pesticides refused registration + Pesticides refused registration No. Name 1 2,4,5-T 2 Ammonium sulphamate 3 Azinphos-ethyl 4 Azinphos-methyl 5 Binapacryl 6 Calcium arsenate 7 Carbophenothion 8 Chinomethionate (Morestan) 9 Dicrotophos 10 EPN 11 Fentin acetate 12 Fentin hydroxide 13 Lead arsenate 14 Leptophos (Phosvel) 15 Mephosfolan 16 Mevinphos (Phosdrin) 17 Disulfoton (Thiodemeton) 18 Vamidothion
Pesticides restricted for use in the country + Pesticides restricted for use in the country No. Name Details of restrictions 1 Aluminium phosphide Pest control operations allowed only by Govt./Govt. undertakings/approved experts, except 15% 12 g and 6% tablets. Production, marketing, and use of 10- and 20-tablet tube packs banned. (RC circular, G.S.R. 371(E), S.O. 677(E) dated 17 July 2001) 2 Captafol Foliar spray banned; permitted only as seed dresser. Manufacture of 80% powder banned for domestic use; allowed for export. (S.O. 569(E) dated 25 July 1989; S.O. 679(E) dated 17 July 2001) 3 Carbofuran All formulations banned except 3% encapsulated granule (CG) with crop labels. (S.O. 4294(E) dated 3 October 2023) 4 Chlorpyrifos Banned for use in Ber, Citrus, and Tobacco. (S.O. 4294(E) dated 3 October 2023) 5 Cypermethrin 3% smoke generator restricted to use by Pest Control Operators only, not for general public. (Delhi High Court Order, WP(C) 10052 of 2009) 6 Dazomet Not permitted for use on Tea. (S.O. 3006(E) dated 31 December 2008) 7 Dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT) Restricted to 10,000 MT per year for public health; export allowed under Stockholm Convention. Banned in agriculture; special permissions for plant protection may be granted by Govt. (S.O. 295(E) dated 8 March 2006; S.O. 378(E) dated 26 May 1989) 8 Dimethoate Banned for use in fruits and vegetables consumed raw. (S.O. 4294(E) dated 3 October 2023) 9 Fenitrothion Banned in agriculture except for locust control and public health. (S.O. 706(E) dated 3 May 2007) 10 Malathion Banned for use on Sorghum, Pea, Soybean, Castor, Sunflower, and specific fruits/vegetables including Apple, Mango, and Grape. (S.O. 4294(E) dated 3 October 2023) 11 Mancozeb Banned for use on Guava, Jowar, and Tapioca. (S.O. 4294(E) dated 3 October 2023) 12 Methyl bromide Restricted for use only by Govt./Govt. undertakings or approved experts. (G.S.R. 371(E) dated 20 May 1999) 13 Monocrotophos Banned for use on vegetables; discontinuation of 36% SL formulation after existing stocks expire. (S.O. 1482(E) dated 10th Oct 2005; S.O. 4294(E) dated 3 October 2023) 14 Oxyfluorfen Banned for use on Potato and Groundnut. (S.O. 4294(E) dated 3 October 2023) 15 Quinalphos Banned for use on Jute, Cardamom, and Sorghum. (S.O. 4294(E) dated 3 October 2023) 16 Trifluralin All uses banned except in wheat from Aug 2018; cautionary statement must be incorporated in the label and leaflet warning it is toxic to aquatic organisms, hence should not be used near water bodies, aquaculture or pisciculture areas. (S.O. 3951(E) dated 8 August 2018)
Recent proposals The Government of India has proposed further restrictions on the usage of 27 pesticides which are already banned in other countries on 14 May 2020. This decision follows recommendations from an expert committee that reviewed the safety, environmental impact, and international regulatory status of these substances. The proposal seeks to ban the import, manufacture, sale, transport, and use of these pesticides in agriculture, citing risks such as carcinogenicity, endocrine disruption, and toxicity to aquatic organisms and pollinators.
Proposed pesticides for restricted use in India Insecticide Key concerns Banned countries Environmental impact Notable details Acephate Endocrine disruption concerns Incomplete resistance data for rice and cotton 32 countries including EU, China, Malaysia Toxic to honey bees Organophosphate compound Atrazine Incomplete bio-efficacy data Endocrine disruption potential 37 countries including EU, UK Toxic to aquatic organisms Product leaching concerns Benfuracarb Carcinogenic impurities Reprotoxic effects Incomplete data submission 28 countries including EU, UK Ground water contamination risk Metabolites proven more toxic Butachlor Incomplete bio-efficacy studies Leaching concerns 31 countries including EU, UK Toxic to aquatic organisms Alternatives available Captan Listed in US-EPA Endocrine Disruptor Screening Incomplete toxicity data 6 countries including Cambodia, Saudi Arabia Toxic to aquatic organisms Incomplete bio-efficacy data Carbendazim Foetotoxic and teratogenic Contains toxic impurities High fungicide resistance risk 29 countries including EU, UK Not specified Endocrine disruption potential Carbofuran Extremely toxic (WHO Class Ib) Very low Acceptable Daily Intake 63 countries including EU, UK, Canada Toxic to honey bees, aquatic organisms, birds Endocrine disruption concerns Chlorpyrifos Neurotoxic Incomplete toxicity data Health hazards to children 31 countries including EU Organophosphate toxicity Banned except for desert locust control 2,4-D Carcinogenic dioxin content Incomplete crop data 3 countries Not specified Endocrine disruption concerns Deltamethrin Incomplete resistance data Limited crop data Not specified Toxic to honey bees Banned except for desert locust and public health use Dicofol DDT contamination concerns No current bio-efficacy data 45 countries including EU Highly toxic to aquatic organisms Endocrine disruption concerns Dimethoate Highly toxic organophosphorus Toxic metabolites 31 countries including EU Not specified Genotoxicity concerns Dinocap No current bio-efficacy data Teratogenic concerns 28 countries including EU, UK Toxic to aquatic organisms Limited data availability Diuron Endocrine disruption concerns Incomplete crop data Banned in Mozambique Toxic to aquatic organisms TCAB contamination concerns Malathion Incomplete bio-efficacy data Limited crop studies 2 countries Ecotoxic Allowed for desert locust and public health Mancozeb ETU toxicity concerns Incomplete thyroid profile data Banned in Saudi Arabia Toxic to aquatic organisms Limited crop data Methomyl Extremely toxic (WHO Class Ib) Limited toxicity data 41 countries including EU Toxic to honey bees, silkworms, birds, aquatic organisms Very low ADI Monocrotophos Extremely toxic (WHO Class Ib) Poisoning risks 112 countries including EU, UK, China Toxic to honey bees, aquatic organisms, birds Very low ADI Oxyfluorfen Possible human carcinogen Blood parameter effects 2 countries Toxic to aquatic organisms Affects terrestrial plants Pendimethalin Incomplete toxicity data Thyroid concerns 2 countries Highly toxic to aquatic organisms Limited aquatic studies Quinalphos High acute mammalian toxicity Incomplete neurotoxicity data 30 countries including EU, UK Highly toxic to aquatic organisms Organophosphorus compound Sulfosulfuron Resistance development Limited effectiveness Banned in Norway Not specified Resistance in target weeds Thiodicarb High mammalian toxicity Incomplete studies Banned in EU, UK Toxic to honey bees and aquatic organisms Methomyl metabolite concerns Thiophanate-methyl High fungicide resistance risk Incomplete thyroid studies Not specified Toxic to earthworms Related to banned Benomyl Thiram Toxic metabolites Endocrine disruption 28 countries including EU Toxic to aquatic organisms, Risk to birds ETU toxicity concerns Zineb Endocrine disruption ETU toxicity concerns 32 countries including EU Toxic to aquatic organisms Limited data submission Ziram Endocrine disruption ETU toxicity concerns EPA Inactive Toxic to aquatic organisms Incomplete bio-efficacy data
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