## Report on the Ammonium Nitrate Amendment Rules, 2025
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes the Ammonium Nitrate Amendment Rules, 2025, which amends the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012. The core purpose of these amendments, based on the provided text, is to introduce differential fee structures for licenses and approvals related to ammonium nitrate, specifically benefiting Micro and Small Enterprises, startups, and women entrepreneurs. The key finding is the introduction of significantly reduced fees for these categories, aiming to promote and support their participation in the ammonium nitrate industry.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides a detailed overview of the Ammonium Nitrate Amendment Rules, 2025, based solely on the information contained within the provided policy text. The purpose is to inform affected industries about the key changes introduced by this amendment.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Original Policy:** The Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012.
* **Core Objectives (Inferred):** The primary objective of the amendment, as inferred from the text, is to incentivize and facilitate the involvement of Micro and Small Enterprises, startups, and women entrepreneurs in the ammonium nitrate industry by reducing the financial burden associated with licensing and approvals. This appears to align with broader government initiatives to support these specific business categories.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
* **Amendment Rationale:** The likely reason for this specific amendment is to address perceived barriers to entry or participation in the ammonium nitrate sector for Micro and Small Enterprises, startups, and women entrepreneurs. The introduction of differential fee structures suggests a recognition that the standard fees may disproportionately impact these groups, potentially hindering their growth and competitiveness. The amendment seeks to level the playing field and encourage greater participation.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
The amendment introduces the following key changes to the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012:
* **Amendment to Rule 2:**
* *Specific Part Changed:* Rule 2, which defines terms used within the rules.
* *New Provision:* Two new clauses are inserted defining "Micro and Small Enterprises," "startup," and "women entrepreneur." The definitions reference other existing legislation and notifications, specifically the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 and a notification from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
* *Effect of Change:* This change formally defines the categories of businesses that will be eligible for the reduced fee structures outlined in the subsequent amendment to Rule 29.
* **Amendment to Rule 29:**
* *Specific Part Changed:* Sub-rule 1 of Rule 29, which specifies the fees payable for various approvals and licenses related to ammonium nitrate.
* *New Provision:* Sub-rule 1 is entirely replaced with a new fee schedule that includes separate fee columns for "Fees for micro and small enterprises" and "Fees for women entrepreneur and startups." These fees are significantly lower than the standard fees.
* *Effect of Change:* This change directly reduces the financial burden for Micro and Small Enterprises, startups, and women entrepreneurs seeking licenses and approvals for activities related to ammonium nitrate, such as manufacturing, possessing, importing, exporting, transporting, and storing the substance. For example, the license to manufacture and possess for sale is reduced from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 10,000 for Micro and Small Enterprises, and to Rs. 4,000 for women entrepreneurs and startups.
* **Introduction of Sub-rules 1A and 1B:**
* *New Provision:* These sub-rules clarify the conditions for applying the reduced fees. They require the furnishing of specific documentation (Micro and Small Enterprises Certificate, startup registration with DPIIT, or documentary evidence of being a woman entrepreneur). Sub-rule 1B states that if a Micro and Small Enterprise or Startup is owned and controlled by a woman, the *lower* of the fees will be applicable.
* *Effect of Change:* These sub-rules establish the verification process and prevent misuse of the reduced fee structures, ensuring that the benefits are targeted to the intended recipients. The provision for the lower fee to apply when a woman owns a Micro and Small Enterprise or Startup provides a further incentive for women's entrepreneurship in the sector. A clause states that false information will result in cancellation of the approval or license.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by these amendments are:
* Micro and Small Enterprises involved in the ammonium nitrate industry.
* Startups involved in the ammonium nitrate industry.
* Women entrepreneurs involved in the ammonium nitrate industry.
* The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, specifically the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), which is responsible for administering aspects of the policy related to startup registration.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, particularly the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), is responsible for implementing and overseeing these amendments. The Explosives Act, 1884, provides the legal framework.
* **Timelines/Procedures:** The amendments came into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette (June 9, 2025). Micro and Small Enterprises, startups, and women entrepreneurs seeking to benefit from the reduced fees will need to provide the required documentation as specified in the new sub-rules 1A and 1B of Rule 29. The process for verifying these documents will likely be established by the relevant licensing authorities.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcome of these amendments is to:
* Increase participation of Micro and Small Enterprises, startups, and women entrepreneurs in the ammonium nitrate industry by reducing financial barriers.
* Promote entrepreneurship and economic growth within these specific business categories.
* Encourage innovation and competition within the sector.
* Support the government's broader objectives of promoting inclusive economic development.
The potential impact of the changes includes:
* Increased applications for licenses and approvals from Micro and Small Enterprises, startups, and women entrepreneurs.
* Greater diversity and competitiveness within the ammonium nitrate industry.
* Potential for increased job creation within these business categories.
**9. Conclusion:**
The Ammonium Nitrate Amendment Rules, 2025, represent a significant step towards promoting inclusivity and supporting Micro and Small Enterprises, startups, and women entrepreneurs within the ammonium nitrate industry. By introducing differential fee structures and streamlining the application process, the amendments aim to reduce financial burdens and encourage greater participation from these historically underrepresented groups. The effective implementation and monitoring of these changes will be crucial to achieving their intended outcomes.
Key Entities Referenced
JUNE 9, 2025: Date of the notification's publication.
JYAISTHA 19, 1947: Indian calendar date corresponding to the publication date.
Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012: The principal rules being amended by this notification.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: The government ministry responsible for the notification.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade: A department within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
New Delhi: Location of the notification.
G.S.R. 377E: Notification number for the draft rules.
G.S.R. 768 E, dated the 16th December, 2024: Previous notification related to the amendment of the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012.
Gazette of India: The official government publication in which the notification is published.
Explosives Act, 1884: The act under which the rules are being made; specifically sections 5, 7, and 14.
Ammonium Nitrate Amendment Rules, 2025: The name of the amended rules.
Official Gazette: The publication in which the rules will be officially published to come into force.
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006: Act defining Micro and Small Enterprises.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry: The department and ministry where startup entities should be registered.
G.S.R. 127E, dated the 19th February, 2019: Notification number defining startup entities.
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: Ministry issuing Micro and Small Enterprises Certificates.
F. No. P13033922023EXPLOSIVE: File number associated with the notification.
Dr. SANDHYA BHULLAR: Joint Secretary who signed the notification.
G.S.R. 553E, dated the 11th July, 2012: Original notification of the principal rules.
G.S.R. 469E, dated the 9th July, 2013: Previous amendment to the principal rules.
G.S.R. 938E, dated the 27th September, 2018: Previous amendment to the principal rules.
G.S.R. 608E, dated the 31st August,2021: Previous amendment to the principal rules.
G.S.R. 239 E, dated 17th April, 2025: Previous amendment to the principal rules.
Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi110064: Location where the document was printed.
Controller of Publications, Delhi110054: Publisher of the document.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-10062025-263694
CG-DxLx-xEG-I1D0H0x6x2x0 25-263694
xxxGIDExxx
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण्ड 3—उप-खण्ड (i)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 334] नई दिल्ली, सोमवार, िनू 9, 2025/ज्य ष्े ि 19, 1947
No. 334] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, JUNE 9, 2025/JYAISTHA 19, 1947
वाजणज्य और उद्योग मत्रं ालय
(उद्योग सवं धनध और आतं ररक व्यापार जवभाग)
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 9 िून, 2025
सा.का.जन. 377(अ).-– अमोजनयम नाइरेट जनयम, 2012का संिोधन करने के जलए कजतपय जनयमों का
प्रारूप, भारत सरकार के वाजणज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय (उद्योग संवधधन और आंतररक व्यापार जवभाग)के सा.का.जन संख्या
768 (अ) तारीख 16 दिसंबर, 2024 की अजधसूचना द्वारा भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग-2, धारा 3, उपधारा (i) म ें
प्रकाजित दकया गया था, जिसके द्वारा उन सभी व्यजियों से, जिनके उससे प्रभाजवत होन े की संभावना है, उि अजधसूचना
वाले रािपत्र की प्रजतयां िनता को उपलब्ध कराए िाने की तारीख से तीस दिन की अवजध की समाजि से पूवध आपजियां और
सुझाव आमंजत्रत दकए गए थ;े
और उि रािपत्र अजधसूचना की प्रजतयां 16 दिसंबर, 2024 को िनता को उपलब्ध करा िी गई थीं;
और उि अवजध के भीतर िनता से कोई आपजि या सुझाव प्राि नहीं हुआ;
अतः, अब,केन्द्रीय सरकार, जवस्ट्फोटक अजधजनयम, 1884 (1884 का 4) की धारा 14 के साथ परित धारा 5 और 7 द्वारा
प्रिि िजियों का प्रयोग करत े हुए, अमोजनयम नाइरेट जनयम, 2012 में संिोधन करन े के जलए जनम्नजलजखत जनयम बनाती
ह,ै अथाधत:्
3722 GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
1. संजिि नाम और प्रारंभ: - (1) इन जनयमों का संजिि नाम अमोजनयम नाइरेट (संिोधन) जनयम, 2025 ह।ै
(2) य ेरािपत्र म ेंउनके प्रकािन की तारीख को प्रवृि होंगे।
2. अमोजनयम नाइरेट जनयम, 2012 (जिसे इसके पश्चात उक्त जनयम कहा गया ह)ै के जनयम 2 म,ें
(क) खडं (ढ) के पश्चात, जनम्नजलजखत खंडको अतं ःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथाधत:-
'(ढ क) "सूक्ष्म औरलघु उद्यम" स ेसूक्ष्म, लघु और मध्यम उद्यम जवकास अजधजनयम, 2006 की धारा 2
केखंड (ि) और खंड (ड)म ेंपररभाजित उद्यम अजभप्रेत ह।ै;
(ख) खडं (ध) के पश्चात, जनम्नजलजखत खडं ोंको अंत:स्ट्थ ाजपत दकया िाएगा:
(न) "स्ट्टाटधअप"मऐें सी कंपनीअजभप्रेत ह ैिो वाजणज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय के उद्योग संवधधन और आतंररक
व्यापार जवभाग म ेंरजिस्ट्रीह ैतथा समय-समय पर यथासंिोजधत अजधसूचना संख्या सा.का.जन. 127(अ)
तारीख 19, फरवरी, 2019 के पैरा 1 के खंड (क) मेंपररभाजित ह।ै;
(प) “मजहला उद्यमी” से मजहला के स्ट्वाजमत्व और जनयंत्रण वालाऐसा उद्यम अजभप्रते ह,ै जिसकी पूंिी म ें
उनकी न्द्यनू तम जवत्तीय भागीिारी 26 प्रजतित ह।ै ”
3. उि जनयमों के जनयम 29 के उप-जनयम (1) को, जनम्न जलजखत उप-जनयम रखे िाएंग,े अथाधत-्
“(1) पूव धअनुमोिन, अनुज्ञजि िारी करन ेऔर संिोधन के जलए जनम्नजलजखत िल्ु क का भुगतान करना होगा, अथाधत्:-
क्र.स.ं िल्ु क का प्रकार सक्ष्ू म और लघ ु उद्यम मजहला उद्यजमयों
िल्ु क
तथा स्ट्टाटधअप के जलए के जलए िल्ु क
(रुपए म)ें
िल्ु क (रुपए म)ें (रुपए म)ें
(1) (2) (4) (5)
(3)
(क) पूवध अनुमोिन हते ु िांच िल्ु क 500 200
1000
(ख) अमोजनयम नाइरेट के जनमाणध और जवक्रय के जलए कब्िे म ें 20000/ 10000 / प्रजतवि ध 4000 /प्रजतवि ध
रखन े या अमोजनयम नाइरेट को गलन स े िोस और िोस स े प्रजतविध
गलन म ें पररवर्तधत करन े और जवक्रय के जलए कब्ि े म ें रखन े
हते ुअनुज्ञजि
(ग) दकसी भंडार गृह से अमोजनयम नाइरेट के जवक्रय हते ु कब्िे म ें 2000 1000 / प्रजतवि ध 400 / प्रजतवि ध
रखने [अथवा टैंक में गल े हुए अमोजनयम नाइरेट] के जलए
/ प्रजतवि ध
अनुज्ञजि
(घ) दकसी भंडार गृह स ेअमोजनयम नाइरेट के उपयोग हते ु कब्ि ेम ें 1000 / 500 / प्रजतवि ध 200 / प्रजतवि ध
रखने (अथवा टैंक म ें गले हुए अमोजनयम नाइरेट) के जलए प्रजतविध
अनुज्ञजि
(ङ) अमोजनयम नाइरेट के आयात के जलए अनज्ञु जि 5000 2500 1000
(च) अमोजनयम नाइरेट के जनयाधत के जलए अनज्ञु जि 5000 2500 1000
(छ) अमोजनयम नाइरेट को बगै म ें रखन े और भंडारण के जलए 20,000 / 10,000 / प्रजतवि ध 4000 / प्रजतवि ध
अनुज्ञजि प्रजतविध
(ि) अमोजनयम नाइरेट के पररवहन के जलए अनुज्ञजि 2000 / 1000 / प्रजतवि ध 400 / प्रजतवि ध
प्रजतविध[भाग II—खण्ड 3(i)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
(झ) अनुज्ञजि म ेंसंिोधन 1000 500 200
(1क) उप-जनयम (1) के अधीन उजल्लजखत िल्ु क, केवल जनम्नजलजखत िस्ट्तावेि प्रस्ट्तुत करने पर लागू होगा,
अथाधत:-
(क) सूक्ष्म और लघ ु उद्यम - सूक्ष्म, लघ ु और मध्यम उद्यम मंत्रालय द्वारा िारी प्रमाण पत्र:
परंत,ु उपरोि उि छूट केवल सूक्ष्म और लघु उद्यमों पर लागू होगी और यह मध्यम उद्यमों पर लागू नहीं
होगी।
(ख) सूक्ष्म और लघ ु स्ट्टाटधअप-उद्योग संवधधन और आंतररक व्यापार जवभाग, वाजणज्य और उद्योग मंत्रालय म ें
रजिस्ट्री का िस्ट्तावेिी साक्ष्य।
(ग) मजहला उद्यमी - फम धया कंपनी के स्ट्वामीअथवा जनिेिक का िस्ट्तावेिी साक्ष्य।
(1 ख) ऐसे मामले में िहां सूक्ष्म और लघु उद्यम या स्ट्टाटधअप का स्ट्वाजमत्व और जनयंत्रण मजहला द्वारा
दकया िाता ह,ै तो वह िल्ु क लागू होगा िो उनम ेंसे कम हो।
परंत ुयदि आवेिक द्वारा प्रस्ट्तुत की गई िानकारी, दकसी भी स्ट्तर पर गलत या भ्रामक पायी िाती
ह,ै तो ऐसे अनुमोिन या अनज्ञु जि को जनरस्ट्त कर दिया िाएगा।
[फा.सं. पी-13033/92/2023-जवस्ट्फोटक]
डॉ.संध्या भल्ु लर, संयुि सजचव
रटप्पणःमलू जनयम, भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग-2, खण्ड 3, उप-खण्ड (i)म ें अजधसूचना सं. सा.का.जन. 553(अ),
तारीख 11 िलु ाई, 2012 द्वारा प्रकाजित दकए गए थ े और सा.का.जन. 469(अ)तारीख 9 िलु ाई, 2013, सा.का.जन.
938(अ)तारीख27 जसतंबर, 2018, सा.का.जन. 608 (अ) तारीख 31 अगस्ट्त, 2021तथा सा.का.जन. 239 (अ) तारीख
17अप्रैल, 2025 द्वारा पश्चातवती संिोधन दकयागयाथा।
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
(DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 9thJune, 2025
G.S.R.. 377(E).––Whereas the draft of certain rules further to amend the Ammonium Nitrate
Rules, 2012, were published, vide notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Commerce and
Industry (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade) number G.S.R. 768 (E), dated the 16th
December, 2024, in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), inviting objections
and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected thereby before the expiry of a period of thirty days
from the date on which the copies of the Gazette containing the said notification were made available to the
public;
And whereas the copies of the said Gazette notification were made available to the public on the 16th
December, 2024;
And whereas no objection or suggestions received from the public within the said period;
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 5 and 7 read with section 14 of the Explosives
Act, 1884 (4 of 1884), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules further to amend the
Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012, namely:-
1. Short titled and commencement.- (1) Theserules may be called the Ammonium Nitrate (Amendment)
Rules, 2025.4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. In the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), in rule 2,-
(a) after clause (n), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:-
‘(na) “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;’;
(b) after clause (s), the following clauses shall be inserted,namely:-
(t) “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 the19th February, 2019, and
as amended from time to time.
‘(u) “women entrepreneur” meansan enterprise owned and controlled by a woman having
a minimum financial interest of 26 percent of the capital.’.
3. In rule 29 of the said rules, for sub-rule (1) the following sub-rules shall be substituted, namely:-
“(1) The following fee shall be payable for prior approval, issuance of licences and amendment,
namely:-
Sl. Type of Fee Fees for micro and Fees for women
No. Fees small enterprises entrepreneur
and startups
(in Rs.) (in Rs.)
(in Rs.)
(1) (2) (4) (5)
(3)
(a) Scrutiny fee for prior approval 500 200
1000
(b) Licence to manufacture and possess for sale 20000/ 10000 / Year 4000 /Year
Ammonium Nitrate or convert melt to solid and Year
vice versa andpossess for sale [of Ammonium Nitrate]
(c) Licence to Possess for sale ofAmmonium Nitrate 2000 1000 / Year 400 / Year
from a store house [or Ammonium Nitrate melt in
/ Year
tank]
(d) Licence to Possess for use of Ammonium Nitrate from 1000 / 500 / Year 200 / Year
a store house [or Ammonium Nitrate melt in tank] Year
(e) Licence to Import Ammonium Nitrate 5000 2500 1000
(f) Licence to Export Ammonium Nitrate 5000 2500 1000
(g) Licence to bag and store Ammonium Nitrate 20,000 10,000 / Year 4000 / Year
/ Year
(h) Licence to Transport Ammonium Nitrate 2000 / 1000 / Year 400 / Year
Year
(i) Amendment oflicence 1000 500 200[भाग II—खण्ड 3(i)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 5
(1A) The fee under sub-rule (1),shall apply only on the furnishing of the following document,
namely:-
(a) Micro and Small Enterprises - Certificate issued by the Ministry of Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises:
Provided that, above said relaxation shall only be applicable to Micro and Small
Enterprises and not for Medium Enterprises.
(b) Micro and Small Startup- Documentary evidence towards registration with the
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and
Industry:
(c) Women Entrepreneur - Documentary evidence towards Proprietor or Director of the
firm or company.
(1B) Where Micro and Small Enterprises or Startup is owned and controlled by a woman,
the fees whichever is lower shall be applicable:
Provided that if information submitted by the applicant, is found to be false or
misleading at any stage, the approval or license shall be liable to be cancelled.”.
[F. No. P-13033/92/2023-EXPLOSIVE]
Dr. SANDHYA BHULLAR, Jt.Secy.
Note.- The principal rules were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-
section (i) vide notification G.S.R. 553(E), dated the 11th July, 2012 and subsequently amended vide G.S.R.
469(E), dated the 9th July, 2013, G.S.R. 938(E), dated the 27th September, 2018 and G.S.R. 608(E), dated the
31st August,2021 and G.S.R. 239 (E), dated 17th April, 2025.
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and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.