The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), has published the Boiler Attendants’ Rules, 2025, which immediately supersede the previous Boiler Attendants’ Rules, 2011. These new rules, enacted under the Boilers Act, 2025, establish comprehensive regulations for the certification, examination, duties, and management of boiler attendants across India.
The rules came into force on September 29, 2025, the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
Key Provisions and Operational Guidelines
The new rules define the roles and responsibilities necessary to ensure the safe and efficient operation of boilers, which are now deemed to include economisers for the purpose of these rules.
Certificate Classes and Authority
The new structure maintains two classes of competency certificates:
First Class Certificate
Qualifies the holder to be in-charge of a single boiler of any capacity or two or more boilers in a battery, or many separate individual boilers, provided the total heating surface does not exceed 1000 square meters. These boilers must be within a 30-meter radius in the same premises and belong to one owner, and the attendant must be assisted by a Second Class attendant or specified firemen.
Second Class Certificate
Qualifies the holder to be in-charge of a single boiler with a total heating surface not exceeding 200 square meters. A Second Class attendant may also attend to a battery of not more than three connected boilers, so long as the aggregate heating surface does not exceed 200 square meters.
Possession of the required certificate is mandatory for a person to hold charge of a boiler.
Committee of Examiners
A Committee of Examiners will be constituted in each State or Union Territory Administration to manage certification.
- Composition: The Committee is chaired ex-officio by the Chief Inspector or Director of Boilers and includes a nominated Deputy Chief Inspector or Inspector, and not less than three other members with relevant academic and practical knowledge.
- Functions: The Committee will conduct examinations and practical tests, grant certificates of competency, and consider reports of inquiries into allegations of misconduct, negligence, or incompetence.
- Validity and Appeals: Certificates are valid all over India until the holder attains the age of 65 years. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Committee may appeal to the State Government.
Requirements for Owners and Operators
The rules set forth clear obligations for boiler owners and the daily conduct of boiler attendants:
- A boiler owner who engages an attendant must notify the Chief Inspector or Director of Boilers within seven days, providing full particulars and the certificate number. The owner must also report when an attendant leaves employment or dies within seven days.
- An attendant is considered to be in direct and immediate charge when they are within ten meters of the boiler.
- An attendant requiring a certificate may be relieved of charge for up to two periods totaling not more than two hours in any one day by a person holding a First Class certificate.
A boiler is deemed to be in use when there is fire in the furnace for heating water or under a banked fire condition. An economiser is deemed to be in use when there is a flow of flue gases causing appreciable heat transfer.
Eligibility and Examination Structure
Age and Experience Requirements
| Certificate Class | Minimum Age | Base Qualification & Experience |
| Second Class | 20 years | Passed Matriculation/equivalent AND (a) Served two years as a Fireman/Operator/Assistant, OR (b) Served three years as a fitter where boilers are manufactured/repaired (including one year as Assistant Fireman), OR (c) Served two years on small industrial boilers (for ITI certificate holders). |
| First Class | 22 years | Possesses a Second Class Certificate AND (a) Served two years as a Second Class attendant in sole working charge of a boiler ≥ 50 square meters, OR (b) Completed a three-year technical training course (including one year as an apprentice) and served one year in sole working charge of a boiler ≥ 50 square meters with a Second Class Certificate, OR (c) Worked two years as a Fireman/Assistant Fireman under the charge of a First Class attendant on a boiler > 50 square meters with a Second Class Certificate. |
Examinations and Fees
Examinations, conducted by the Committee or an authorized agency, test the practical ability and technical knowledge of candidates through oral examination and, if required, a demonstration of practical duties.
Specific naval engineering sailors (Engine Room Artificer, Mechanician, etc.) and holders of National Apprenticeship Certificates (or recognized ITI certificates with post-qualification experience) may apply to have their credentials endorsed as equivalent to the Second Class or First Class Boiler Attendant Certificate of Competency.
Examination Fee:
- First Class Certificate: ₹1,000 plus applicable Goods and Services Tax (GST).
- Second Class Certificate: ₹600 plus applicable GST.
- Endorsement/Duplicate Certificate: ₹200.
Candidates must submit their application in Form ‘A’ accompanied by the requisite fee and testimonials. The Committee holds the power to refuse certification if a candidate is deemed physically unfit or if testimonials are found to be false.