When did the Green Revolution begin in India?

India was facing severe food shortages in the early 1960s due to droughts and population growth.
To overcome this, the government adopted new agricultural strategies inspired by global advances in crop science.
Key Measures Introduced (1965–66 onwards)
Introduction of High-Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds, especially for wheat and rice.
Expansion of irrigation facilities.
Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Mechanization of agriculture with tractors and harvesters.
Establishment of institutions like the Food Corporation of India (1965) and Agricultural Prices Commission (1965) to support farmers.
Leadership
The initiative was strongly supported by Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and later expanded under Indira Gandhi.
Agricultural scientist M. S. Swaminathan played a crucial role in introducing HYV seeds and modern farming techniques.
Impact
India moved from being a food-deficit nation to achieving self-sufficiency in food grains.
Wheat production in Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh surged dramatically.
It marked the beginning of India’s integration into modern agricultural practices.
In short: The Green Revolution began in India in 1965–66, transforming agriculture through HYV seeds, irrigation, and modern inputs, and making India self-reliant in food grain production.