The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) on May 29, 2026, issued the Central Motor Vehicles (Eighth Amendment) Rules, 2026, further to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
This shall come into effect from May 29, 2026.
The following has been amended:
• This amendment updates the regulatory framework for hydrogen-powered vehicles by introducing revised type-approval requirements. Rule 115-J has been omitted.
• Rule 125M has been substituted to prescribe that M and N category vehicles (passenger and goods vehicles) powered by liquid or compressed gaseous hydrogen internal combustion engines (H₂-ICE) must comply with AIS 195:2023, while hydrogen-powered Construction Equipment Vehicles (CEVs) must comply with AIS 195A:2024. In both cases, hydrogen fuel specifications shall conform to IS 16061:2021.
• A new Rule 125MA has been introduced for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs). M and N category fuel-cell vehicles using compressed gaseous hydrogen must comply with AIS 157:2020, while hydrogen fuel-cell Construction Equipment Vehicles must comply with AIS 157A:2024. The hydrogen used in fuel-cell vehicles must meet the ISO 14687 standard. Further, Category L vehicles (two-wheelers and three-wheelers) powered by either hydrogen internal combustion engines or hydrogen fuel cells must comply with AIS 206:2024, with fuel specifications conforming to ISO 14687 or IS 16061:2021, as applicable.
[Notification no. - G.S.R. 417(E)]
