# List of banned and restricted pesticides in India

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 use :
| No. | Name | Order and date |
| 1 | Alachlor | S.O. 3951 (E), dated 08.08.2018 |
| 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 08.08.2018 |
| 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 th 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 08.08.2018 |
| 40 | Phosphamidon | S.O. 3951 (E), dated 08.08.2018 |
| 41 | Sodium cyanide | banned for Insecticidal purpose only S.O 3951(E) dated 8th 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 08.08.2018 |
| 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 08.08.2018 |

## 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% 12g 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 31st Dec 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 organism, 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 |