**Executive Summary**
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) held a press briefing on June 11, 2026, to detail reforms undertaken by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) between 2024 and 2026. The reforms focus on balancing industrial growth with rigorous safety standards through technological integration and regulatory updates. Key highlights include the extension of license validities, fee concessions for specific sectors, and enhanced safety protocols for hazardous materials.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Ease of Doing Business & Administrative Efficiency**
* Extended the validity of licenses under Ammonium Nitrate, Explosives, and SMPV (Unfired) Rules from five years to ten years.
* Introduced fee concessions in 2025 for MSMEs, startups, and women entrepreneurs to encourage innovation and reduce entry barriers.
* Prescribed a uniform fee structure in May 2025 for services rendered by "Competent Persons" to ensure transparency and prevent arbitrary charges.
* Transitioned to online submission of records and streamlined transportation provisions to improve regulatory efficiency.
**Technological Safety & Traceability**
* Implemented barcode-based traceability systems for explosives to strengthen safety and oversight.
* Leveraged automation and technology in coordination with local authorities to enhance safety compliance.
* Updated safety requirements for fireworks shops in March 2026 based on scientific simulation studies to reduce fire and explosion risks.
**Support for Emerging Energy Sectors**
* Amended the Gas Cylinders Rules and SMPV (Unfired) Rules to create a framework for the production, storage, and utilization of green hydrogen.
* Expanded the definition of gas cylinders in November 2025 to include Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) containers, providing regulatory clarity for infrastructure development.
**National Security & Public Safety**
* Imposed restrictions throughout 2025 on the manufacture, possession, sale, and import of electric detonators.
* Encouraged the adoption of safer blasting technologies to mitigate the risk of misuse of explosive initiation systems.
**Impact Analysis**
**Industries (Explosives, Petroleum, and Gas)**
**Impact**
Benefit from reduced administrative costs and greater long-term investment certainty due to extended license validities and clearer regulatory frameworks for LNG and green hydrogen.
**Action Required**
Must ensure strict adherence to prescribed safety norms and utilize new online systems for record submissions and traceability.
**MSMEs, Startups, and Women Entrepreneurs**
**Impact**
Experience lower regulatory and financial barriers to entry through specific fee concessions under the Explosives Act, 1884.
**Action Required**
Identify and apply for eligible fee concessions while maintaining compliance with safety standards.
**Competent Persons (Inspectors and Certifiers)**
**Impact**
Operating under a standardized and transparent fee structure for inspections and certifications.
**Action Required**
Align service charges with the uniform fee structure prescribed under the SMPV (Unfired) Rules.
**Fireworks Retailers**
**Impact**
Subject to more stringent, evidence-based safety benchmarks designed to protect workers and the general public.
**Action Required**
Implement the strengthened safety requirements notified in March 2026 to align with new benchmarks.
Key Entities Referenced
Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO): The primary regulatory body responsible for granting licenses and ensuring safety standards in the explosives and petroleum sectors.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT): The nodal department under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry overseeing industrial reforms and the administration of PESO.
Explosives Rules, 2008: The regulatory framework amended to introduce barcode-based traceability, extend license validity, and strengthen safety for fireworks shops.
Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels (Unfired) Rules, 2016: Rules amended to support green hydrogen infrastructure and establish uniform fee structures for technical inspections.
National Green Hydrogen Mission: A referenced national initiative driving regulatory amendments in gas cylinder and pressure vessel rules to support clean energy production.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
No Compromise on Safety Standards While
Promoting Ease of Doing Business: Dr Kajal,
Joint Secretary, DPIIT
Regional Press Briefing on “Awareness on Reforms
Undertaken by PESO” Held in Nagpur
प्रव तथ: 11 JUN 2026 5:45PM by PIB Mumbai
Nagpur, 11 June 2026
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of
Commerce & Industry, held an important press briefing in Nagpur on Thursday.
Dr Kajal, IAS, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, addressed the media on the reforms undertaken by the
Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) in recent years.
Addressing the briefing, the Joint Secretary emphasised that while DPIIT remains committed to
promoting industrial growth and improving the business environment, there can be “absolutely
no compromise on safety standards.” She noted that the growing number of explosives-related
industries in Nagpur reflects increasing economic activity and healthy competition.
She further stated that DPIIT, in coordination with local authorities, is leveraging technology and
automation to strengthen safety compliance and regulatory oversight.Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, PESO, Dr Sanjana Sharma, who was also present at the
briefing, highlighted the role of PESO as a regulatory body responsible for granting licences and
permissions. She underlined that most industrial accidents occur due to non-compliance with
prescribed safety regulations and stressed the need for strict adherence to safety norms by
industries.
During the briefing, Dr Kajal highlighted a series of major reforms undertaken between 2024
and 2026. These include amendments to the Explosives Rules, 2008, introducing barcode-based
traceability systems, streamlined transportation provisions and online submission of records to
strengthen safety and regulatory efficiency.
She added that, in support of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, DPIIT has also introduced
amendments to the Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016 and the Static and Mobile Pressure Vessels
(Unfired) Rules, 2016, creating a modern framework for the production, storage, transportation
and utilisation of green hydrogen.
Key Measures
In a major Ease of Doing Business initiative, the validity of licences under the Ammonium
Nitrate Rules, 2012, Explosives Rules, 2008 and SMPV (Unfired) Rules, 2016 was extended from
five years to ten years through notifications issued during April–June 2025. The measure
significantly reduces renewal-related compliance requirements, lowers administrative costs and
provides greater certainty for long-term investments.
DPIIT also introduced fee concessions during 2025 for MSMEs, startups and women
entrepreneurs under various rules administered under the Explosives Act, 1884. The initiative
aims to reduce regulatory costs, encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, promote women-
led enterprises and facilitate wider participation of small businesses in regulated sectors.
To strengthen national security and public safety, notifications issued during April, July, October
and December 2025 imposed restrictions on the manufacture, possession, sale, use and import
of electric detonators, while providing specified exemptions. The reforms reduce the risk of
misuse of explosive initiation systems and encourage adoption of safer blasting technologies.
Further, a uniform fee structure for services rendered by Competent Persons under the SMPV
(Unfired) Rules, 2016 was prescribed in May 2025. The measure enhances transparency,
consistency and accountability in inspections, certifications and approvals while protecting
industry from arbitrary charges.In November 2025, the definition of gas cylinders was expanded to include Liquefied Natural
Gas (LNG) containers along with clearer dimensional specifications. The amendment provides
regulatory clarity for emerging technologies, enhances safety standards and supports the
development of LNG infrastructure across the country.
Based on detailed scientific simulation studies, amendments notified in March 2026
strengthened safety requirements for fireworks shops. The evidence-based reforms improve
protection of workers and the public, establish clearer safety benchmarks and reduce risks
associated with fire and explosion incidents.
* * *
PIB Nagpur | Dhananjay Wankhede/Saurabh Khekde/Darshana Rane
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