The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, on April 27, 2026, notified the Gas Cylinders (Amendment) Rules, 2026 under the Explosives Act, 1884. The rules were finalized after publication of draft amendments in February 2026, with no objections or suggestions received from stakeholders.
The amendment expands the scope of exemptions and operational clarity under the existing framework. It includes provisions to cover cylinders and valves imported by establishments of the Ministry of Defence, Department of Space, and their public sector undertakings for their own use. Additionally, it removes the requirement of prior permission for import of empty cylinders without valves and for valves and LPG regulators sourced from approved foreign manufacturers holding valid import licenses.
Further, the amendment broadens safety-related provisions by extending applicability from Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) to other flammable gases under Rule 48. These changes aim to simplify regulatory procedures, facilitate ease of imports for strategic sectors, and strengthen safety compliance across a wider range of gas categories.
[Notification No. G.S.R. 315(E)]
