The Boilers Act, 2025

The Government of India has taken a landmark step in modernizing its industrial safety framework through the Boilers Act, 2025, which came into effect after receiving Presidential assent on April 4, 2025. This new legislation repeals the archaic Boilers Act, 1923, and introduces a futuristic and structured legal regime to govern the design, manufacture, inspection, operation, and maintenance of boilers and their components across India.

Why the Boilers Act, 2025 Was Needed

With increasing industrialization, evolving safety standards, and technological advancements in pressure vessels, the 1923 Act had become outdated. There was a growing need to:

Introduce uniform inspection mechanisms across states,
Define clear roles for central and state regulators,
Enhance worker and environmental safety, and
Improve compliance and enforcement frameworks in line with global best practices.

The Boilers Act, 2025 answers this call by incorporating provisions for digital monitoring, stricter safety norms, and structured regulation of manufacturing and repair facilities.

Objectives of the Boilers Act, 2025

The Act seeks to:

Regulate the manufacture, erection, inspection, registration, and use of boilers and boiler components.
Ensure the safety of life and property from the dangers of boiler explosions.
Introduce uniformity and transparency in regulatory procedures across states.
Promote standardization of materials, processes, and inspections using modern technical specifications.

Key Definitions Under the Act

The Act provides a detailed set of definitions to avoid ambiguity. Notable among them are:

Boiler: A pressure vessel where steam is generated for external use, under defined pressure and temperature thresholds.
Boiler Components: Includes steam piping, economisers, superheaters, mountings, and any fittings under pressure exceeding 1 kg/cm².
Competent Authority: Institution recognized for granting welder certificates.
Inspecting Authority: Entity responsible for certifying boiler manufacturing, erection, and safety compliance.

Highlights of the Regulatory Framework

1. Central Boilers Board (CBB)

Constituted under Section 3, the CBB will frame safety regulations, inspection procedures, and boiler specifications. It comprises:

Central and State Government representatives,
BIS and engineering experts,
Manufacturers and users,
Technical Adviser (Member-Secretary).

2. Appointment of Inspectors

Each state will appoint Chief Inspectors, Deputy Chief Inspectors, and Inspectors, empowered to conduct safety checks, grant certificates, and advise owners on boiler maintenance.

3. Mandatory Certifications

Welders must obtain a certificate from the competent authority.
Repairers must hold a boiler repairer certificate.
All components used must conform to approved specifications.

4. Design, Manufacturing & Inspection

Manufacturers must:

Get design and drawing approvals,
Use certified materials and fittings,
Employ certified welders,
Undergo inspection at various stages of manufacturing and erection.

5. Registration and Renewals

Boilers must be:

Registered before use (Section 12),
Operated only with valid certificates (Section 11),
Renewed upon expiry (Section 13),
Marked with permanent registration numbers.

6. Provisional Use & Transfer

Provisional orders may be granted (Section 14) pending final certification.
Boilers transferred between states must be reported and re-evaluated.

Safety & Compliance Obligations

Accident Reporting: Owners must report any accident within 24 hours (Section 23).
Alterations & Repairs: Requires prior permission and certified personnel (Sections 17 & 18).
Entry & Inspection: Inspectors can enter premises at any time to ensure compliance (Section 22).

Appeals & Legal Remedies

The Act provides a tiered appeals process:

First appeal to the Chief Inspector (Section 24),
Second appeal to the Central Government (Section 25),
Application for revision of order (Section 26).

Additionally, adjudication mechanisms are established at the District Magistrate level for specified penalties (Section 35), with further appeals allowed to senior government authorities (Section 36).

Offences and Penalties

The Act enforces strict penalties for non-compliance:

Minor Offences: ₹5,000 for failing to produce certificates, report accidents, or transfer ownership.
Major Offences: Up to ₹1,00,000 and/or imprisonment for operating without registration, using boilers beyond permissible pressure, or tampering with safety mechanisms.
Continuing Violations: Additional ₹1,000 per day.
Tampering with Registration Marks: Imprisonment up to 2 years or fine up to ₹1,00,000.

All penalties are recoverable as arrears of land revenue, ensuring enforceability.

Miscellaneous Provisions

State Government Rules: Can be made for specific procedures such as registration timelines, inspection norms, and accident inquiries (Section 42).
Exemptions: Boilers used exclusively for heating buildings or hot water may be exempted (Section 38).
Finality of Orders: Orders of the Chief Inspector or Central Government are final and cannot be challenged in courts (Section 43).

Transition from the Boilers Act, 1923

The new law ensures a smooth transition:

All registrations, certificates, and approvals under the 1923 Act will continue to be valid.
The existing Central Boilers Board will function until a new one is constituted.
Pending cases, penalties, and inquiries will continue as per the new Act (Section 45).

Conclusion: Towards Safer, Smarter Industrial Operations

The Boilers Act, 2025 is a comprehensive and modern legislative framework that redefines how boiler operations are regulated in India. By introducing clear definitions, rigorous safety norms, efficient inspection procedures, and strong enforcement provisions, the Act is a major leap forward for industrial safety, engineering standards, and regulatory governance.

Industries, compliance officers, safety managers, and legal advisors must ensure timely alignment with the provisions of this new Act to avoid penalties and promote safe, efficient operations.

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Source: DPIIT

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