Context:

India has made a major breakthrough in agricultural science by developing the world’s first genome-edited (GE) rice varieties. These new rice types have better yields, can tolerate drought and salty soils, mature faster, and use nitrogen more efficiently. The work was done by two institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR): the Indian Institute of Rice Research (IIRR) in Hyderabad and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi.

Two New GE Rice Varieties

1. ‘Kamala’ (IET-32072) – Edited Samba Mahsuri (BPT-5204)

Scientists used CRISPR-Cas12 to edit the Gn1a gene, which controls how many grains grow in each panicle (rice cluster). By reducing the activity of this gene, they increased the number of grains. Samba Mahsuri is already grown on 5 million hectares in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, West Bengal, and others.

The improved variety 'Kamala' shows:

• Average yield: 5.37 tonnes per hectare
• Potential yield: 9 tonnes per hectare (higher than the parent’s 6.5 tonnes)
• Maturity: 130 days (15–20 days earlier than the original)
• Grain quality: Same as Samba Mahsuri

2. Pusa DST Rice 1 (IET-32043) – Edited MTU-1010 (Cottondora Sannalu)

Using CRISPR-Cas9, scientists edited the DST gene, which helps the plant survive drought and salt stress. This GE variety performed better under tough conditions.

MTU-1010 is already a popular variety grown over 4 million hectares. It matures in 125–130 days and produces long slender grains.

The GE version has the following yields:

• Inland salinity areas: 3.508 tonnes/hectare (vs. 3.199 of the original)
• Alkaline soils: 3.731 tonnes/hectare (vs. 3.254)
• Coastal saline areas: 2.493 tonnes/hectare (vs. 1.912)

Safety, Trials, and Funding

These GE varieties were tested in different locations in 2023 and 2024 under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Rice. The Department of Biotechnology confirmed that they do not contain foreign DNA and are like regular crop lines.

India’s 2023–24 Budget set aside ₹500 crore for genome editing research. Although CRISPR-Cas9 is patented by the Broad Institute (MIT and Harvard), ICAR is working to resolve intellectual property issues.

What is Genome Editing and how is it Different from Genetic Modification?

• Genetic Modification (GM) involves inserting genes from other species into a plant. For example, Bt cotton has a gene from a bacterium (Bacillus thuringiensis) that helps the plant kill pests. Genome Editing (GE), on the other hand, does not involve foreign DNA. It changes or "edits" the plant's own genes. Scientists use CRISPR-Cas enzymes, which act like scissors, to make precise cuts in the DNA and change the way certain genes behave.
• India allows the use of GE crops developed through SDN-1 and SDN-2 methods without needing strict safety approvals. These methods do not use foreign genes and are treated like normal crop breeding.

Conclusion

These two genome-edited rice varieties show that India is ready to use advanced biotechnology to improve farming. They are more productive, climate-resilient, and safe, offering new hope for food security and better income for farmers.