The Boilers Act, 2025 (12 of 2025) provides a framework for registration, inspection and regulation of boilers in India. To operationalise its adjudication and appeal mechanism, the central government has now issued the Boilers (Adjudication and Appeal) Rules, 2025, under section 39(2)(k)&(l).

The key features under the new Rules include:

• Application scope: Applies to all Union Territories.
• Complaint mechanism: Any person (including an inspector) may file a complaint to the Adjudicating Officer in Form-I via electronic means, speed post or by hand, alleging contravention of sections 27, 28, sub-section (1) of section 30 or section 31 of the Act.
• Inquiry / Adjudication process: The Adjudicating Officer (District/Additional District Magistrate authorised under section 35 of the Act) must issue a show-cause notice (Form-II) not less than seven days before inquiry; allow the person to appear with authorised representative; give opportunity to produce documents/evidence (Form-III); enforce attendance of relevant persons/documents; proceed in absence if the person fails to appear (after recording reasons); deliver a reasoned order specifying the contravened provision and the penalty imposed; provide copies of the order & proceedings to complainant, person and the Chief Inspector; complete proceedings within six months of issuance of notice.
• Appeal process: A person aggrieved may, within 60 days of receipt of adjudication order, prefer appeal (Form-IV) to the Appellate Authority (authorised under section 36 of the Act). If appeal is late, an application with affidavit showing “sufficient cause” must be filed. Appeal must be in triplicate, include copy of adjudication order, statement of facts, grounds, reference to relevant section. Appeal may be filed in person, via authorised representative or advocate. Post filing, the Appellate Authority scrutinises for defects (allowing rectification if formal; or time to rectify if non-formal). If not rectified, appeal may be declined with reasoned order within seven days. Payment of fee ₹1,000 (by demand draft or via Bharat Kosh) mandatory. Appellate Authority serves notice to respondent, allows them to file reply within 30 days, gives hearing date, allows oral/written arguments, may call records from adjudicator, may dismiss or decide ex-parte if appellant fails to appear. The appeal should be disposed of within 60 days of filing. Each order must be dated, signed and communicated to parties.
• Fee and fund: Appeal fee ₹ 1,000; the sums realised by way of penalties under these rules shall be credited to the Consolidated Fund of India.
• Miscellaneous: The Rules clarify forms, modes of service (electronic, speed post, hand), modes of payment, and transitional provision: supersession of 2024 Rules “except as respects things done or omitted before such supersession”.