What changed with the Boilers Act 2025 and IBR 2026

When did IBR 2026 replace IBR 1950?

The Indian Boiler Regulations, 2026 replaced the Indian Boiler Regulations, 1950 on 1 October 2026, the day they were published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary, No. 596). The Central Boilers Board made them under section 40 of the Boilers Act, 2025, which itself repealed the Boilers Act, 1923.

The supersession is "except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession", so what was done under IBR 1950 before 1 October 2026 is not undone by the change.

Were the IBR forms renumbered?

Yes. The IBR 2026 forms run from Form I to Form XXIII, and most folder documents changed number. The maker's certificate of manufacture and test, Form III under IBR 1950, is now Form IV Part A. The Inspecting Authority's certificate, Form II(1) or II(2), is now Form I Part B or Part C. The steel maker's certificate, Form IV, is now Form V Part A.

Every form, with its old name, is on the IBR 2026 forms list.

Can IBR certificates be filed electronically now?

Yes. Under regulation 8 of IBR 2026, the certificates, drawings and specifications that go with a boiler's registration application may be submitted electronically with digital signatures. Well-known pipe and tube makers may also issue their certificates (Form IV Part B and Part C) online with a digital signature.

How long must boiler records be kept under IBR 2026?

Regulation 308 sets three periods. The Inspecting Authority keeps a boiler's certificates and approved drawings for at least three years after registration. The owner keeps them for the entire life of the boiler, and hands them to any new owner. The manufacturer keeps them, including Form V Part B, for at least five years. See boiler record keeping under IBR 2026.

What changed for boiler manufacturers?

A firm seeking recognition as a manufacturer applies to an Inspecting Authority in its own state with the manufacturer questionnaire, Form III, which is new in IBR 2026 (regulation 7(1)(b)(v)). Recognition lasts three years, and renewal is applied for at least ninety days before it expires (regulation 7(4)). Components can be erected at site on the strength of a final inspection report in Form VIII approved by the Competent Person (regulation 293(2)). The steel maker's certificate, now Form V Part A, gives ultimate tensile strength in kilograms per square millimetre; the IBR 1950 Form IV gave it in tons.

What changed in registration?

Under regulation 300 of IBR 2026, the Inspector inspects the boiler, conducts the hydraulic test and issues a provisional order in Form X, under section 14 of the Boilers Act, 2025; under IBR 1950 the provisional order was Form V. The boiler's record is the Memorandum of Inspection Book, now Form XI. See documents for boiler registration.

Quoted from the regulations (9) ›

“The Boilers Act, 1923 is hereby repealed.”

Boilers Act, 2025, section 45(1)

“in supersession of the Indian Boiler Regulations, 1950, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession”

IBR 2026, preamble

“They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.”

IBR 2026, regulation 1(3)

“the certificates and drawings or specifications may also be submitted through electronic means along with digital signatures”

IBR 2026, regulation 8

“The recognition of the firm as a manufacturer shall be for a period of three years and the firm may apply for renewal of their recognition at least ninety days before the expiry of said period.”

IBR 2026, regulation 7(4)

“any firm seeking recognition shall apply to an Inspecting Authority operating in the State in which the recognition is sought in questionnaire ‘Form-III’”

IBR 2026, regulation 7(1)(b)(v)

“and the copies of the approved drawings for a period of at least five years.”

IBR 2026, regulation 308(4)

“The boiler components shall be erected at site based on the final inspection report as per Form-VIII approved by Competent Person”

IBR 2026, regulation 293(2)

“a provisional order under section 14 in Form-X shall be issued after the hydraulic test.”

IBR 2026, regulation 300(2)