National Gene explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
The 2025 Rules open the National Gene Fund to project funding. Government bodies, research institutes, universities, registered societies and trusts, NGOs, farmers' groups and farmer producer organisations can apply every year for money for in-situ and ex-situ conservation of plant genetic resources, community seed banks and Panchayat capacity. A Selection and Monitoring Committee ranks proposals against nineteen criteria.
Rules as amended up to 3 October 2026 (no amendment since S.O. 3785(E) of 18 August 2025). Later notifications should be checked on plantauthority.gov.in.
S.O. 3785(E) of 18 August 2025 was made under section 45(2) and section 96(2)(lvi) of the Act. Eligible bodies apply when the Authority invites proposals every year, through the endorsing authorities named in the form (rule 2). A Selection and Monitoring Committee, chaired by an eminent scientist and with a quorum of five, selects projects on nineteen criteria (rules 3 and 4). A project is funded for three years, extendable to five, and funding for a project shall not normally exceed Rupees Fifteen Lakhs (rule 5). Yearly spending is limited to 70 per cent of the interest accrued to the Fund's bank deposits.
Where the Rules come from
Section 45(2) of the Act says the National Gene Fund shall, in the prescribed manner, be applied for benefit sharing, compensation, supporting conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources (including in-situ and ex-situ collections), Panchayat capability and benefit-sharing schemes. Section 96(2)(lvi) allows rules on "the manner of applying Gene Fund under sub-section (2) of section 45". These Rules cover the conservation limb. See sections 45 and 46.
Rule 1(1) says: "This rule may be called the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights (Utilisation of National Gene Fund for conservation and sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources) Rules, 2025." The title is quoted as printed. They came into force on publication in the Official Gazette. Applicants preparing a proposal can ask our legal consultation team to review the draft.
Rule 2: who may apply and how
Applicants (2(1)). These may apply "in the manner" prescribed for in-situ and ex-situ conservation of plant genetic resources and strengthening the Panchayat's capability:
- a Central or State Government organisation;
- a research institute of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, the Department of Biotechnology or the Department of Science and Technology;
- State Agricultural Universities and Central Agricultural Universities;
- societies registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 (an old statute named as printed; check the current law), registered trusts and non-governmental organisations;
- farmers' groups or organisations and Farmers Producer Organisations engaged in conservation of plant genetic resources.
An individual farmer or farmer group may apply "in collaboration with" a government research institution or a State or Central Agricultural University, and for funding the operation of Community Seed Banks.
Process (2(2) to (4)). Every year the Authority invites proposals as specified in the First Schedule. The application is forwarded through the endorsing authorities mentioned in the form. Applications received on or before the last date are screened administratively and placed before the Selection and Monitoring Committee.
Rule 3: the Selection and Monitoring Committee
The Chairperson of the Authority constitutes the Committee, which consists of:
| Place | Member |
|---|---|
| (i) | A scientist of outstanding calibre and eminence with substantial practical experience in plant genetics or breeding research or management of agro-biodiversity or seed systems (Chairperson of the Committee) |
| (ii)(a) | Representative of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (not below the rank of Deputy Commissioner) |
| (b) | Representative of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (Director, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources) |
| (c) | Representative of the National Biodiversity Authority |
| (d) | One representative of a State or Central Agricultural University (not below the rank of Director of Research) |
| (e) | One scientist (not below level-14) or expert in conservation of plant genetic resources and seed banks |
| (f) | One representative of a non-governmental organisation dealing with plant genetic resources conservation or community seed banks |
| (g) | A member of the Authority representing farmers, women or a tribal organisation |
| (h) | Director of an institute of the CSIR, the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education, the Department of Biotechnology or the Department of Science and Technology |
Rule 3(1)(ii) says "Not less than eight persons" in these categories. A Registrar nominated by the Chairperson is Member-Secretary; the quorum including the Chairperson is five; the tenure is three years from constitution (3(2) to (5)).
Rule 4: selection criteria
The Committee processes applications on these nineteen criteria (4(1)), then screens and short-lists proposals for grant (4(2)):
| Group | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Track record | Years of experience in conservation or in operating community seed banks; awards or recognition; grants already received and spent, with utilisation certificates |
| Scale | Varieties or species now conserved; acreage authenticated by records; farmers or communities involved; seed bank size, seed supplied and beneficiary farmers, particularly women |
| Standing | Entries in People's Biodiversity Registers or other official registers; farmers' varieties registered, submitted for registration or recorded |
| Capability | Infrastructure; innovative practices; seed bank technology; documentation and publication coverage; role in collaboration projects; Panchayat training already conducted |
| Value and need | Scope of use of the germplasm for a new variety; remoteness; any self-sustaining financing model; funding required, year-wise |
Rule 5: funding
| Clause | Funding rule |
|---|---|
| (a) | A selected project is funded for an initial period of three years, extendable up to a maximum of five years based on physical and financial progress |
| (b) | The extent of funding is decided by the Committee, depending on importance, extent of work, the number of varieties to be conserved, and reasonable infrastructure and manpower |
| (c) | "The funding for any particular project shall not normally exceed Rupees Fifteen Lakhs Only" |
| (d) | The maximum spent each financial year from the National Gene Fund on conservation "shall be upto 70 per cent of the interest accrued to the National Gene Fund bank deposits" |
| (e)-(g) | First-year funding follows selection, a Memorandum of Understanding and a sanction; later releases need satisfactory progress and the previous year's Statement of Expenditure and Utilisation Certificate; the Memorandum has a recovery clause for non-execution |
| (h)-(j) | A new proposal is considered only after the earlier project is successfully completed; General Financial Rules apply to procurement; Panchayat awareness and training can be funded per the Authority's guideline |
Rule 6 and the First Schedule
Proposals are invited by advertisement in national newspapers and on the Authority's website (6(1)); only applications received on or before the last date are considered (6(2)); a proposal must carry objectives, a year-wise activity chart and budget, and expected outcomes (6(3)); half-yearly and annual progress reports are required (6(4)); and future grants are released only if the Committee's annual monitoring finds progress satisfactory (6(5)).
The First Schedule application form follows the criteria: it asks for the applicant's name and legal status (with a copy of the certificate of incorporation or registration), address, experience, conservation records, funding required year-wise, a detailed proposal, a project summary in 100 words, a work plan and Panchayat training details. The declaration states that the details are true to the applicant's knowledge and belief. The certificate, by an endorsing authority, states how many years the applicant has been conserving or running a community seed bank within the endorser's jurisdiction. Endorsers are the Chairperson or Secretary of the Panchayat Biodiversity Management Committee, the Block or District Agricultural Officer, the Director of Research of the State Agriculture University, the Director of the concerned Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute, or the District Tribal Development Office.
Need help with a Gene Fund proposal?
Our legal consultation team can help a farmers' group, trust or institute prepare the application, the Memorandum of Understanding and the reporting.
Key takeaways
- The Rules open the National Gene Fund to conservation projects and community seed banks, with proposals invited every year.
- A Selection and Monitoring Committee with a quorum of five selects on nineteen criteria.
- Funding runs three years, extendable to five; normally not above Rupees Fifteen Lakhs per project; yearly spending is limited to 70 per cent of interest accrued.
Read next
- Sections 45-46: the National Gene Fund
- Recognition and Reward Rules, 2012
- Rules 66-70: farmers' compensation and the Gene Fund
Disclaimer: Based on the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Act, 2001 as amended up to the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, the PPV&FR Rules, 2003 as amended up to G.S.R. 803(E) of 16 November 2021, and the regulations, rules and scheme named in the article, as published by the PPV&FR Authority and consulted on 3 October 2026. Later notifications should be checked on plantauthority.gov.in. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.