India Approves CRISPR-edited Rice Varieties DRR Dhan 100 and Pusa DST Rice 1 for Higher Yield, Salt Tolerance

India is leveraging advanced genetic tools like CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing to develop climate-resilient and high-yielding staple crops. In 2025, India became the first country to allow cultivation of gene-edited rice (DRR Dhan 100 & Pusa DST Rice 1), developed by public institutions for 20% higher yield and salt tolerance, aiming to secure food production amidst climate change.

• 🧬CRISPR Breakthrough

  India pioneered the commercial release of CRISPR-edited rice varieties, offering higher yields and climate resilience without foreign gene insertion.

• 🌾Public Sector Dominance

  India's rice and wheat seed supply is largely controlled by public institutions (ICAR, NSC), ensuring equitable access to new technologies.

• 🔬Future Tech: Apomixis

  Engineering plants for asexual reproduction (apomixis) could allow farmers to save high-yielding seeds indefinitely, reducing annual costs.

CRISPR-Cas9

A gene-editing technology that allows precise modification of DNA within an organism's genome, functioning like molecular scissors. It is derived from a bacterial immune system.

Apomixis

A form of asexual reproduction in plants where seeds are produced without fertilization, resulting in offspring that are genetically identical to the parent plant.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)

The apex autonomous body for coordinating, guiding, and managing research and education in agriculture in India, including horticulture, fisheries, and animal sciences.

National Seeds Corporation (NSC)

A public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, established in 1963, responsible for the production and distribution of high-quality seeds.

Hybrid Vigour (Heterosis)

The phenomenon where a hybrid offspring exhibits superior qualities (like increased yield or growth) compared to its parents, but these traits are lost in subsequent generations if seeds are saved.

• Data: First gene-edited crop approved in India - Rice (2025).
• Nodal Body: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) develops breeder seeds.
• Technology: CRISPR-Cas9 used to develop DRR Dhan 100 and Pusa DST Rice 1.

1. Q1Easy

   Which apex body in India is responsible for coordinating agricultural research and development, including the creation of 'breeder seeds' mentioned in the article?

   • AMinistry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare
   • BNational Seeds Corporation (NSC)
   • CNITI Aayog
   • DIndian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
2. Q2Hard

   Consider the following statements regarding the gene-edited rice varieties developed in India:

   1. 1.DRR Dhan 100 was developed to specifically tolerate saline and alkaline soil conditions.
   2. 2.The CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool was used to develop both DRR Dhan 100 and Pusa DST Rice 1.
   3. 3.The approval for farmers to grow these gene-edited rice varieties was granted by India in the year 2025.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   • AOnly 1
   • BOnly 2
   • CBoth 2 and 3
   • DAll three
3. Q3Medium

   According to the article, what is the approximate yield increase offered by the DRR Dhan 100 rice variety compared to its baseline strain?

   • AClose to 20%
   • B5-10%
   • C10-30%
   • D30-40%
4. Q4Medium

   What is a primary potential advantage of the 'apomixis' technique, as discussed in the article, for smallholder farmers in India?

   • AIt reduces the time required for regulatory approval of new crop varieties.
   • BIt makes plants resistant to all known pests and diseases.
   • CIt enables farmers to save and replant seeds from high-yielding hybrid crops without losing yield potential.
   • DIt allows crops to be grown without any irrigation.

• Original29 October 2026 · Read story