20 MCQs on Draft Seeds Bill 2025 (with Explanations)
For UPSC Prelims Practice 2026 (24 May 2026)
1. The Draft Seeds Bill, 2025 seeks to replace which of the following?
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Seeds Act, 1966
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Seeds (Control) Order, 1983
-
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: b)
Explanation:
The draft aims to replace the 1966 Act and 1983 Order, NOT the PPV&FR Act.
2. Which ministry released the Draft Seeds Bill, 2025?
a) Ministry of Commerce and Industry
b) Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
c) Ministry of Consumer Affairs
d) Ministry of Rural Development
Answer: b)
Explanation:
The Union Agriculture Ministry proposed the draft.
3. The Draft Seeds Bill, 2025 mandates that every seed dealer must:
a) Obtain a licence from the central government
b) Obtain a registration certificate from the State government
c) Register only with FSSAI
d) Be certified by NABL
Answer: b)
Explanation:
Dealers must obtain State-level registration before selling or handling seeds.
4. As per the Draft Seeds Bill, seed varieties must conform to which standards?
a) International Seed Testing Association (ISTA) Standards only
b) Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
c) Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards
d) CBD & Nagoya Protocol
Answer: c)
Explanation:
Seed varieties must meet the Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards such as genetic purity, germination, etc.
5. One major reform proposed under the Draft Seeds Bill, 2025 is:
a) Criminalising all seed-related violations
b) Decriminalising minor offences
c) Removing all penalties
d) Removing quality regulation
Answer: b)
Explanation:
The Bill decriminalises minor offences to promote Ease of Doing Business, but retains strict penalties for major violations.
6. Which of the following is NOT an objective of the Draft Seeds Bill, 2025?
a) Liberalising seed imports
b) Ensuring farmers get high-quality seeds
c) Reducing access to global seed varieties
d) Protecting farmers from losses due to seed failure
Answer: c)
Explanation:
The Bill aims to increase, not reduce, access to global seed varieties.
7. The Draft Seeds Bill, 2025 was preceded by failed attempts to pass similar Bills in:
a) 1996 and 2003
b) 2004 and 2019
c) 2000 and 2015
d) 1991 and 2012
Answer: b)
Explanation:
Both UPA (2004) and NDA (2019) attempts faced farmer protests and were withdrawn.
8. A major criticism by farmer unions regarding earlier seeds bills was that:
a) They imposed heavy subsidies
b) They favoured large seed companies
c) They abolished price controls
d) They banned seed imports
Answer: b)
Explanation:
Farmer organisations historically argue that such laws may favour corporates.
9. Which organisation welcomed the new draft as timely for modernising regulation?
a) ICAR
b) FSSAI
c) Federation of Seed Industry of India
d) Krishi Vigyan Kendra Association
Answer: c)
Explanation:
The Federation of Seed Industry of India supported it.
10. The draft law regulates seed quality based on:
-
Genetic purity
-
Germination percentage
-
Physical purity
-
Seed health
a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 2 and 4 only
c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
d) 1 and 4 only
Answer: c)
Explanation:
All four parameters are explicitly mentioned.
11. Under the Draft Seeds Bill, 2025, seed imports will be:
a) Completely banned
b) Allowed only through FAO
c) Liberalised to encourage global varieties
d) Allowed only for public-sector companies
Answer: c)
Explanation:
The Bill seeks to liberalise seed imports for access to global traits.
12. Which statement best describes the regulatory intent of the Bill?
a) To centralise seed pricing
b) To harmonise seed quality with national standards
c) To remove all regulatory checks
d) To give exclusive rights to MNCs
Answer: b)
Explanation:
Purpose: ensure seed quality & modernise regulation.
13. Which group expressed caution and concerns about the Bill?
a) WTO
b) Farmers’ organisations such as BKU (Ekta Ugrahan)
c) NABARD
d) World Bank
Answer: b)
Explanation:
Farmer groups like BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) warned it may favour seed companies.
14. Public suggestions on the draft Bill can be submitted until:
a) October 11
b) November 11
c) December 11
d) January 11
Answer: c)
Explanation:
Deadline for feedback: December 11.
15. The Seeds Act, 1966 mainly focused on:
a) Genetic modification of seeds
b) Quality control and seed certification
c) Price regulation
d) Export promotion
Answer: b)
Explanation:
The 1966 Act established basic quality and certification norms.
16. The Seeds (Control) Order, 1983 was issued under which Act?
a) Essential Commodities Act, 1955
b) Seeds Act, 1966
c) PPV&FR Act, 2001
d) Environmental Protection Act, 1986
Answer: a)
Explanation:
The 1983 Order is issued under the Essential Commodities Act.
17. Which feature of the Seeds Bill attempts to balance farmer protection with industry needs?
a) Mandatory government-fixed seed prices
b) Licensing via the WTO
c) Decriminalising minor violations while penalising major ones
d) Mandating only private seed testing
Answer: c)
Explanation:
The Bill tries to provide Ease of Doing Business + strict oversight.
18. “Indian Minimum Seed Certification Standards” deal with:
a) Subsidy eligibility
b) Packaging labels
c) Seed quality parameters
d) Intellectual property rights
Answer: c)
Explanation:
These standards regulate purity, germination, moisture, etc.
19. One major purpose of liberalising seed imports is to:
a) Reduce dependence on farmers’ own seed
b) Make India a seed-exporting nation
c) Introduce high-yield global varieties
d) Reduce seed production in India
Answer: c)
Explanation:
The Bill emphasises access to better global seed varieties.
20. Which of the following best reflects an underlying concern of the Draft Seeds Bill?
a) It ignores issues of genetic contamination
b) It may shift power from small farmers to seed companies
c) It eliminates all government control
d) It increases crop residue burning
Answer: b)
Explanation:
Farmer groups worry the Bill may strengthen seed industry dominance.
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