Registrations &amp; Licenses — Guides, Updates & Practical Insights

Rules 1–3 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986: definitions and the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants in Schedules I to IV and VI

The standards for emission or discharge from industries, operations or processes are those specified in the Schedules (rule 3(1)). The Central Board or a State Board may specify more stringent standards for a specific industry, operation or process, but only after recording reasons in writing (rule...

Rule 4 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986: how directions under section 5 are given, the notice of proposed direction, objections and urgent cases

A direction under section 5 must be in writing and must state the action to be taken and the time to comply (rule 4(1)-(2)). The person affected is served a copy of the proposed direction and gets not less than fifteen days from service to object (rule 4(3)(a)). The Central Government decides...

6 min read09 Oct 2026

Rule 5 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986: prohibiting or restricting the location of industries and processes in different areas, the factors considered and the draft-notification procedure

Before it prohibits or restricts industries in an area, the Central Government may consider ten factors listed in rule 5(1). It must publish a notification of its intention that describes the area, the industries and the reasons (rule 5(3)(a)-(b)). Anyone interested has sixty days to object (rule...

Rules 6–11 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986: taking samples, serving notice, submitting samples for analysis, the functions of environmental laboratories, the Government Analyst's qualifications and the manner of giving notice

A sample is divided into two uniform parts, sealed and marked, and the person it is taken from may add his own seal (rule 6). He gets notice in Form I (rule 7). One portion stays with him and the other goes to the laboratory (rule 6), whose findings are recorded in Form III (rule 8). A complaint...

Rules 12 and 13 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986: furnishing information on excess discharge to the Schedule V authorities and prohibiting or restricting the handling of hazardous substances in specified areas

Where a discharge above the prescribed standards occurs or is apprehended because of an accident or other unforeseen act or event, the person in charge of the place must "forth with" intimate three sets of authorities: the district emergency or disaster relief officer, the Pollution Control Board...

Rule 14 of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986: the annual environmental statement in Form V, who files it, by when and what it reports

Every person carrying on an industry, operation or process that requires consent under section 25 of the Water Act or section 21 of the Air Act (or both), or an authorisation under the hazardous waste rules, must submit an environmental statement in Form V to the concerned State Pollution Control...

6 min read09 Oct 2026

Rules 1–5 of the Environmental (Protection) Fund Rules, 2026: the purposes for which the Fund may be used, the amounts credited to it under section 16 and the manner of crediting

The Fund is constituted in the Public Account of India under section 16 of the EP Act. Penalties imposed under the Air Act, the Water Act and the EP Act are credited to it (rule 4). Payment is made through the online Bharatkosh portal (rule 5(1)). Seventy-five per cent of the penalty collected is...

Rules 6–9 of the Environmental (Protection) Fund Rules, 2026: administration of the Fund, the annual statement of accounts and report, audit and the online portal, with Forms I to III

A Project Management Unit, headed by an officer not below Joint Secretary (Centre) or Secretary (State), runs the Fund (rule 6). It prepares the annual statement of accounts (Form II) and annual report (Form III) (rules 6 and 7). The Comptroller and Auditor-General audits the Fund and the audited...

Rules 1–4 of the Environment Protection (Manner of Holding Inquiry and Imposition of Penalty) Rules, 2024: who may complain, the notice and reply, hearings and the time for completing the inquiry

A complaint is filed in Form I with the adjudicating officer by a Board, Committee, the Commission for Air Quality Management, an Integrated Regional Office or "any other persons" (rule 3). Within thirty days of receiving it, the officer issues a show cause notice in Form II, with not less than...