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UPSC Prelims 2015 · Environment · Rules for the Planet
The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee is constituted under the
- (a) Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
- (b) Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
- (c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
- (d) Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (c) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
GEAC is constituted under the 1989 Rules made under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The idea
Indian law treats a genetically engineered organism as a possible environmental hazard: once released, it can spread and cannot be called back. So the rules on it were made in 1989 under the Environment (Protection) Act, in the same family as rules on hazardous substances.
Laboratory research → Institutional Biosafety Committee → Confined trials → RCGM oversight; field trials also need GEAC authorisation → Release into the environment → GEAC (environment ministry) → Final decision → the government
Why the others are wrong
(a) The food regulator (FSSAI) deals with the safety of GM food on the plate. Release of a GM crop into fields is an environmental decision.
(b) GI law protects regional products like Darjeeling tea.
The trap
GM food sounds like a food-safety matter.
Also know
Its name was changed from “Approval” Committee to “Appraisal” Committee in 2010, after the moratorium on Bt brinjal. Bt cotton (2002) is the only GM crop grown commercially in India. GM mustard (DMH-11) was recommended for environmental release in 2022 and the matter went to the Supreme Court.
🔒 GEAC (MoEFCC) — under the EPA 1986 “Rules 1989”; approves GM crops (Bt cotton 2002).