The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), on January 23, 2026, has notified amendments to the Control of Air Pollution (Grant, Refusal or Cancellation of Consent) Guidelines under section 21A of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. The amendments introduce new definitions such as Registered Environment Auditor and online portal, align undefined terms with the parent Act and rules, and rationalise procedural provisions relating to consent to establish and consent to operate.
The notification substantially revises the process, validity and fee structure for consents, including providing for one-time consent to operate fees for periods ranging from 5 to 25 years, validity of consent till cancellation, and a consolidated consent and authorization mechanism covering hazardous and other wastes. It enables inspection and verification either by State Pollution Control Board officers or by Registered Environment Auditors, and provides deemed consent to establish for Micro and Small units in notified industrial estates upon submission of self-certified applications.
Further, the amendments mandate development of a centralised online portal as a single-point repository for all consent-related processes, prescribe timelines for grant or refusal of consent, and update application forms and schedules. Transitional arrangements are provided until the portal becomes operational, with a provision for CPCB to levy a service fee.
[G.S.R. 62(E)]
