Gene editing transforms India's rice and wheat crops

The Hindu · 29 October 2026 · GS 3: Science and Technology · GS 3: Agriculture · 13 min read

Why in the News?

India released CRISPR-edited rice varieties after field trials and seed distribution in 2025. Aspirants should study gene editing's agricultural impact and public-private seed systems.

Key Highlights

• 2025: India allowed farmers to grow CRISPR-edited rice after trials.

• DRR Dhan-100 matures in 130 days, yields 5.4 tonnes per hectare.

• Pusa DST Rice-1 survives salt stress, cuts greenhouse-gas emissions.

• Apomixis preserves hybrid vigour, enabling seed reuse by farmers.

• Public institutions dominate certified wheat seeds, private firms grow 8% annually.

Know the Basics

• CRISPR: A gene-editing tool that allows precise changes to DNA sequences without introducing foreign genes.

• Apomixis: A process enabling crops to reproduce asexually, preserving hybrid traits across generations.

• Breeder seeds: High-quality seeds produced by research institutions, multiplied into foundation seeds for distribution.

Detailed Analysis

India's CRISPR-edited rice varieties

• DRR Dhan-100 increases yield by 20%, reduces water and labour costs.

• Pusa DST Rice-1 performs better in saline soils, lowers fertilizer use.

• Both varieties lack editing-tool residues, avoiding patent restrictions.

Apomixis and its potential

• Apomixis allows hybrid seeds to be reused, reducing costs for small farmers.

• Efficiency in rice has reached 90%, with research extending to maize.

• Regulatory approval and large-scale production systems are still needed.

Public-private dynamics in seed systems

• Public institutions dominate wheat seeds, while private firms lead hybrid rice.

• New public varieties are widely distributed without patent restrictions.

• Private firms expand wheat-seed supply by 8% annually.

Global advances in wheat gene editing

• Argentina's HB4 uses sunflower genes for drought tolerance.

• Australia and U.S. firms began CRISPR wheat trials targeting yield increases.

• India's public sector can adapt foreign-gene-free editing for accessibility.

Significance for India & UPSC Exam

• Gene editing reduces resource use and improves yields, addressing climate challenges.

• Apomixis can empower small farmers by lowering annual seed costs.

• India's public-sector seed systems ensure fair distribution of new varieties.

• UPSC could test this in GS 3 under agriculture and technology integration.

Challenges and Way Forward

Challenges

• Apomixis needs regulatory approval and multi-environment testing.

• Gene editing faces anti-GMO opposition despite no foreign genes introduced.

• Hybrid wheat development is slow due to complex floral biology.

Way Forward

• ICAR must expand research in plant genetics and stress tolerance mechanisms.

• State seed corporations should integrate apomixis into production systems.

• Government should incentivize private investment in wheat hybridisation technology.

• Regulators must streamline approvals for gene-edited crops without foreign genes.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements about India's gene-edited rice varieties: 1. DRR Dhan-100 matures in 150 days. 2. Pusa DST Rice-1 reduces greenhouse-gas emissions. 3. Both varieties contain editing-tool residues. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only

2. 2 only

3. 1 and 3 only

4. 2 and 3 only

Answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: DRR Dhan-100 matures in 130 days. Statement 2 is correct: Pusa DST Rice-1 reduces greenhouse-gas emissions. Statement 3 is incorrect: Both varieties lack editing-tool residues.

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Critically analyse the role of gene editing and apomixis in transforming Indian agriculture. (GS 3, 15 marks, 250 words)

Answer framework

• Begin with India's release of CRISPR-edited rice in 2025.

• Explain DRR Dhan-100 and Pusa DST Rice-1's yield and resource benefits.

• Discuss apomixis and its cost-saving potential for small farmers.

• Highlight public-private dynamics in seed systems and fair distribution.

• Conclude with the need for regulatory clarity and expanded research.

Question to Ponder

Can India balance public-sector dominance with private innovation in gene editing?

Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

• With reference to agriculture in India, how can the technique of 'genome sequencing', often seen in the news, be used in the immediate future? (2017)

• Other than resistance to pests, what are the prospects for which genetically engineered plants have been created? (2012)

• Indian farmers are unhappy over the introduction of "Terminator Seed Technology" because the seeds produced by this technology are expected to (1999)

Mains

• The human population is slated to grow to 9 billion by 2050. In this context, many scientists predict that plant genomics would play a critical role in keeping out hunger and preserving the environment. Explain. (2012, Paper I)

• Genetically Modified seeds (2005, Paper I)

• How can biotechnology improve the living standards of farmers? (Answer in 250 words) (2019, Paper III)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is gene editing in agriculture?

Gene editing allows precise DNA changes to improve crop traits like yield and stress tolerance, without introducing foreign genes.

What is apomixis in crop breeding?

Apomixis enables crops to reproduce asexually, preserving hybrid traits indefinitely and reducing annual seed costs for farmers.

Why is hybrid wheat harder to develop than rice?

Wheat's floral biology complicates hybridisation, unlike rice or maize, slowing progress in hybrid wheat breeding.