The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has notified amendments to the Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016, following the publication of the draft rules on December 16, 2024 (G.S.R. 771(E)). As no objections or suggestions were received within the 30-day consultation period, the final rules have been notified through G.S.R. 386(E).

The Gas Cylinders (Amendment) Rules, 2025 introduce the following key changes:.

In rule 2 –

1. After clause (xli), the following clauses shall be inserted namely:-

‘(xlia)“Micro and Small Enterprises” means an enterprise defined in clause (h) and clause (m) of section 2 of the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006;

2. After clause (xlvii), the following clauses shall be inserted namely:-

(xlviia) “Startup” means an entity registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry and as defined in clause (a) of paragraph 1 of the Notification number G.S.R. 127(E), dated the 19th February, 2019, and as amended from time to time.

3. After clause (li), the following clause shall be inserted namely:-

“(lia) “women entrepreneur” means an enterprise owned and controlled by a woman having a minimum financial interest of 26 percent of the capital;”.

Schedule V has been substituted to introduce fee concessions for MSEs, Startups, and Women Entrepreneurs, along with related eligibility and documentation requirements.

To claim fee relaxation under the revised Schedule V, the applicant must submit documentary proof based on their classification:

• Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs):
  Certificate issued by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
  Note: The relaxation is only applicable to Micro and Small Enterprises, not Medium Enterprises.
• Startups:
  Valid registration certificate from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Women Entrepreneurs:
  Documentary proof showing that the applicant is a woman proprietor or director of the enterprise.

Special Concession for Women-led Enterprises: If a Micro or Small Enterprise or Startup is owned and controlled by a woman, the lower of the applicable fees (under either category) shall be granted.

Compliance Condition: In case of submission of false or misleading information, the approval or licence granted under the rules shall be liable for cancellation at any stage.