The Ministry of Commerce And Industry (MoCI) on October 14, 2026, issued the Explosives (Second Amendment) Rules, 2026 to further amend the Explosives Rules, 2008.
The following amendments have been stated:
• In rule 2, -
(a) after clause (15), the following clause shall be inserted, namely: –
“(15A) "defence explosive" means explosives which are meant for defence sector including those manufactured by private manufacturers;”;
(b) in clause (37), after sub-clause (e), the following sub-clauses shall be inserted, namely: –
“(f) academic institution, the head of the institution, the Vice-Chancellor, Director, Principal, or Dean (by whatever name called) or an individual nominated by the head of the institution;
g) for a foreign company, the director residing in India under section 149 of the Companies Act, 2013 (18 of 2013);
(h) for a partnership, a partner residing in India under section 7 of the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 (6 of 2009);”;
• In rule 5, after sub-rule (3), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely: –
“(4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (3), the safety distances to be followed for the manufacture, storage, or use of defence explosives shall be as provided in the Storage and Transport of Explosives Committee Pamphlet.
Explanation. - For the purpose of this sub-rule, the expression “Storage and Transport of Explosives Committee Pamphlet” means the guidelines issued by Centre for Fire, Explosive and Environment Safety under the Defence Research and Development Organisation:
Provided that the provisions of this sub-rule shall not be applicable to premises, which are existing on the date of publication of this provision and are within the approved premises of the licenses granted under these rules, for a period of three years from such date:
Provided further that the provisions of this sub-rule shall be applicable in the case of any expansion of licensed capacity, introduction of new processes, manufacture of explosives of a higher Hazard Division, or transfer of the licence under rule 108.”.
• In rule 9, -
(a) for sub-rule (1), the following sub-rule shall be substituted, namely: -
“(1) manufacture of explosive in small quantities in research and development laboratory for research and development purpose with prior permission sought through an application under Form AE-13 and granted by the Chief Controller under Form LE-13, under conditions as may be imposed by him.”;
(b) after sub-rule (1), the following proviso shall be inserted:
“Provided that the total quantity of explosives manufactured, stored, used, supplied or transported as samples, or deployed for tests or trials in such laboratory premises shall not exceed five kilograms at any one time.”.
• In the said rules, in rule 10, in sub-rule (1), for clause (c), after the proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely: –
“Provided further that private manufacturers of defence explosives shall not be covered by the first proviso and shall be subject to the restrictions on manufacture under this rule.”.
• In the said rules, in rule 21, in sub-rule (3), after the proviso, the following proviso shall be inserted, namely: –
“Provided further that private manufacturers of defence explosives shall not be covered by the first proviso and shall be subject to the requirements under this rule.”.
[Notification No. G.S.R. 887(E)]
