- The Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers’ Rights Act was passed by the Indian Parliament in 2001.
- Rules were notified by the Department of Agriculture (now known as Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare) in 2003.
- According to Article 27.3 (b) of TRIPs Agreement
“…members shall provide for the protection of plant varieties either by patents or an effective sui generis system or by any combination thereof”
Plant Varieties
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001
What plant varieties can be registered in India?
Duration of Protection
Period of protection (in Years) |
|||
Total number of years |
Initial |
Extendible by |
|
Trees & Vines |
18 from date of registration |
9 |
9 |
Other Crops |
15 from date of registration |
6 |
9 |
Extant Notified varieties |
15 from date of notification of variety under the Seeds Act, 1966 by the Central Govt. |
Benefits of Registration
Objectives of the Act




Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority, India
The Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers’ Rights Act requires for establishment of an authority to be called the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority. The same is currently located at New Delhi.