PI Industries unveils Pioxaniliprole, India's first indigenously discovered insecticide molecule; DGFT sets up sub-committee to improve use of RELIEF export scheme

1 November 2026 · English Economy & BankingGovernment Schemes & Education

Topics: Science, Sports, Defence & International · 1 November 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

(1) PI Industries unveiled the insecticide molecule 'Pioxaniliprole' on 29 Oct 2026 (New Delhi); its farmer product is 'Pioxazon' (20% SC). The Central Insecticides Board & Registration Committee (CIB&RC) registered it at its 476th meeting (Sep 2026), recognising it as 'the first insecticide active ingredient discovered in India'. (2) On 30 Oct 2026 (Trade Notice 33/2026-27) the DGFT set up a six-member sub-committee to improve fund use and uptake of the RELIEF scheme for exporters hit by West Asian shipping disruptions.

Key facts

Background

• Pesticide regulation: registration, manufacture and sale of pesticides in India come under the Insecticides Act 1968; the registering body is the CIB&RC (Agriculture Ministry, Faridabad). India had mostly made molecules discovered abroad; Pioxaniliprole was discovered at home and tested in multi-location field trials with State Agricultural Universities.
• Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda): an invasive pest from the Americas, first reported in India in Karnataka in 2018; it attacks maize most. The yellow stem borer (Scirpophaga incertulas) is a major pest of rice.
• RELIEF: a time-bound scheme for exporters hit by the West Asia crisis (Strait of Hormuz disruption), run through ECGC. Three components: (I) retrospective protection – up to 100% extra risk cover for shipments of 14 Feb–15 Mar 2026; (II) prospective cover – up to 95%; (III) reimbursement of up to 50% of extra freight and insurance costs (max ₹50 lakh) for MSMEs not insured with ECGC.
• Export Promotion Mission (EPM): approved by the Union Cabinet in Nov 2025; ₹25,060 crore for 2025–26 to 2030–31; sub-schemes 'Niryat Protsahan' (financial support) and 'Niryat Disha' (non-financial support). ECGC – 1957, headquartered in Mumbai, under the Commerce Ministry.

Tamil Nadu link: no direct Tamil Nadu link was reported for either news point. Rice is Tamil Nadu's main crop, so yellow stem borer control matters to the State's farmers; Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) was set up at Coimbatore in 1971. For exports, Chennai and Tuticorin (V.O. Chidambaranar) ports are the State's main gateways.

Source: PI Industries press release (29 Oct 2026), Indian Chemical News (28 Sept), AgroSpectrum, Global Agriculture (CIB&RC 476th meeting); ANI, TaxGuru (Trade Notice 33/2026-27), 30–31 Oct 2026; The Tribune (EPM, Nov 2025)

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