On 12 November 2025, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, released G.S.R. 839(E), officially notifying the Gas Cylinders (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2025.
Background: Public Consultation and Legislative Process
Before finalizing the amendment, the DPIIT published the draft rules via G.S.R. 527(E) on 4 August 2025, inviting objections and suggestions from stakeholders likely to be affected by the proposed changes. A 30-day consultation period followed, as mandated, during which industry participants, safety experts, and the general public were encouraged to comment. According to the notification, all received inputs were duly reviewed and considered before issuing the final version of the amended rules.
The amendment has been introduced by exercising powers under Sections 5 and 7 of the Explosives Act, 1884, which empowers the Central Government to regulate the manufacture, possession, transport, and importation of explosives—and by extension, high-pressure gas containers classified under this framework.
What the Amendment Changes
The Fourth Amendment of 2025 introduces a significant revision to Rule 2 of the Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016. Specifically, it substitutes clause (xxviii) with a new, expanded definition of a “gas cylinder.”
The updated definition now clarifies that:
- A gas cylinder (or cylinder) is a closed metal container with a volume exceeding 500 millilitres but not more than 1,000 litres, used for storing and transporting compressed gas.
- This includes containers for LPG, LNG, CNG, and compressed hydrogen gas, including those fitted to motor vehicles as fuel tanks.
- It also covers composite cylinders and cryogenic containers, which are increasingly used in advanced industrial and transportation applications.
- Importantly, the amendment creates an exception for certain gases—compressed hydrogen gas, CNG, nitrogen, and compressed air—allowing cylinders for these gases to have capacities up to 3,000 litres, provided specific diameter limits are met:
- Nitrogen and compressed air cylinders: diameter ≤ 60 cm
- Compressed hydrogen gas and CNG cylinders: diameter ≤ 80 cm
Why This Amendment Matters
This new definition is more aligned with modern industrial requirements and emerging energy technologies:
- Support for Hydrogen and Clean Energy Mobility
The increased permissible water capacity for compressed hydrogen and CNG cylinders reflects India’s push toward greener mobility solutions, including hydrogen-powered vehicles. - Safety and Standardization
By defining size and capacity limits more precisely, the amendment improves regulatory clarity, ensuring safer storage, transport, and industrial usage of high-pressure gases. - Encouragement of Advanced Cylinder Technologies
The inclusion of composite cylinders and cryogenic containers accommodates innovations widely used in medical, aerospace, and energy sectors. - Industry-Friendly Flexibility
Expanding allowable capacities helps industries reduce logistical costs while maintaining safety standards.
Conclusion
The Gas Cylinders (Fourth Amendment) Rules, 2025 mark a meaningful update to India’s gas safety regulations. By refining definitions and allowing greater flexibility—especially for hydrogen and CNG storage—the government signals strong support for clean energy adoption, industrial modernization, and improved safety.