---
title: "Bt Brinjal: India's GM Crop Moratorium Explained"
description: "Bt brinjal is India's first genetically modified food crop, significant for its role in pest control but currently under an indefinite moratorium since 2010."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/bt-brinjal"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Bt brinjal is a genetically engineered eggplant carrying a Bacillus thuringiensis gene that produces an insecticidal protein lethal to the fruit and shoot borer pest.
- Why was Bt brinjal placed under a moratorium in India rather than approved?
- How does Bt brinjal differ from Bt cotton, which India already cultivates?
- Has any country commercially cultivated Bt brinjal?
- Which body regulates GM crops like Bt brinjal in India?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Bt brinjal is a genetically engineered eggplant carrying a Bacillus thuringiensis gene that produces an insecticidal protein lethal to the fruit and shoot borer pest.

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In February 2010, Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh imposed an indefinite moratorium on the commercial release of Bt brinjal after seven public consultations, leaving Bt cotton as India's only commercialised GM crop.

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