November 2026: PI Industries' Pioxaniliprole has received approval from the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC). It is India's first indigenously discovered insecticide molecule; the company unveiled it on 29 October 2026 - a major Make-in-India milestone for the country's chemical industry.
What is Pioxaniliprole?
- Introduction: An insecticidal active ingredient developed by PI Industries Ltd, belonging to the anthranilic diamide class of insecticides.
- Chemical composition: A carboxamide compound containing chlorine, nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur atoms.
- Target pests: Yellow stem borer, leaf folder, fall armyworm, tobacco cutworm, fruit borer and pod borer.
Mechanism of action
- Ryanodine receptors: It targets ryanodine receptors (RyRs) - specialised protein channels in insect muscle cells that regulate the release of calcium ions from intracellular stores.
- Effect: Activation triggers uncontrolled calcium release, disrupting muscle function - the insect stops feeding, becomes lethargic, suffers muscle paralysis and eventually dies.
CIBRC: the regulatory angle
- CIBRC: The Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee, set up under the Insecticides Act, 1968; it approves the registration of any insecticide before import, manufacture or sale in India. Approval of a home-grown molecule confirms domestic research capability.
Quiz: Test your knowledge
Q1: Consider the following statements about Pioxaniliprole: 1. It is India's first indigenously discovered insecticide molecule. 2. It was developed by PI Industries. 3. It is a herbicide. How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer and explanation: (b) Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong - it is an insecticide, not a herbicide.
Q2: Through which target structure does Pioxaniliprole act on insects?
(a) Chlorophyll synthesis pathway
(b) Ryanodine receptors (RyRs)
(c) Acetylcholinesterase enzyme
(d) Chitin synthesis pathway
Answer and explanation: (b) It activates ryanodine receptors, causing uncontrolled calcium release, feeding cessation, paralysis and death.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
In short: Pioxaniliprole is India's first indigenously discovered insecticide molecule, developed by PI Industries and approved by the CIBRC; it acts on ryanodine receptors.
Question: Which class of insecticide is Pioxaniliprole?
The anthranilic diamide class; chemically it is a carboxamide compound.
Question: Which pests is it effective against?
Yellow stem borer, leaf folder, fall armyworm, tobacco cutworm, fruit borer and pod borer.
Question: What is the CIBRC?
The Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee, set up under the Insecticides Act, 1968 - the regulator that approves insecticide registration.
Sources:
- Indian Express: PI Industries unveils India's first indigenously discovered insecticide molecule (29 October 2026)
- Indian Express UPSC Essentials: Pioxaniliprole - India's indigenous insecticide and its regulation (11 November 2026)
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