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Core Purpose

This notification publishes draft rules proposing amendments to Rule 115A of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to revise emission standards for agricultural tractors, power tillers, construction equipment vehicles, and combined harvesters.

Detailed Summary

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, vide Notification G.S.R. 151(E) dated February 27, 2026, published draft rules to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, exercising powers under Section 110 and Section 212(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988). The proposed amendments specifically substitute sub-rule (9) of Rule 115A, which pertains to 'Emission of smoke and vapour from agricultural tractors, power tillers, construction equipment vehicles and combined harvesters driven by internal combustion engines.' The revised sub-rule mandates that these vehicles must comply with new gaseous pollutant standards when tested on 8-mode, 5-mode, ramped modal, Non-Road Steady Cycle (NRSC), and Non-Road Transient Cycle (NRTC) duty cycles. Detailed emission limits (g/kWh and #/kWh) for CO, HC, NOx, PM, and PN are provided across various power categories (kW) and TREM stages (IIIAA, IV, V), with specific applicability dates ranging from January 1, 2023, to April 1, 2032, as outlined in Tables 1, 2, and 2A. The notification also specifies test procedures and safety guidelines, referencing AIS-137, AIS-137-Part 7, AIS 024, AIS 028 (Rev.1), and AIS 195A, and details for various fuels including CNG, Bio-CNG, LNG, LPG, HCNG, Diesel (B7), Ethanol blends, and Hydrogen, with corresponding reference fuel specifications like IS 15958:2012, IS 14861:2000, IS 16087:2013, and IS:17314:2019. Requirements for NOx control measures, ammonia emission limits (25 ppm for ≤56 kW, 10 ppm for >56 kW), and AUS:32 (Aqueous Urea Solution) conforming to ISO:22241 are also included. In-service emission monitoring for vehicles manufactured after April 1, 2026, and specific Conformity of Production (COP) frequencies (e.g., once in two years for up to 200 units, annually for over 200 units per engine family) are prescribed. A new Annexure IV-ZE is introduced, detailing specifications for Hydrogen Enriched Compressed Natural Gas (HCNG), including a hydrogen volume of 18.0±1.0 percent. The public is invited to submit objections or suggestions within thirty days to the Additional Secretary (Transport), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, New Delhi, or via email to comments-morth@gov.in. The principal rules were previously published under G.S.R. 889(E) dated September 16, 2020.

Full Text

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-02032026-270622 EXTRAORDINARY PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (i) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 145] NEW DELHI, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2026/PHALGUNA 9, 1947 MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 27th February, 2026 G.S.R. 151(E).- The following draft of certain rules further to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, which the Central Government proposes to make in exercise of the powers conferred by section 110 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (59 of 1988), is hereby published as required by sub-section (1) of section 212 of the said Act, for information of all persons likely to be affected thereby; and notice is hereby given that the said draft rules will be taken into consideration after the expiry of thirty days from the date on which the copies of this notification as published in the Gazette of India, are made available to the public; 2. The objections or suggestions which may be received from any person in respect of the said draft rules before the expiry of the aforesaid period will be considered by the Central Government. 3. Objections and suggestions to these draft rules, if any, may be sent to the Additional Secretary (Transport), Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Transport Bhawan, Parliament Street, New Delhi-110 001 or on the email: comments-morth@gov.in; Draft Rules 1. Short title and commencement. (1) These rules may be called as the Central Motor Vehicles (.......... Amendment) Rules, 2026. (2) Save as otherwise provided in these rules, they shall come into force on the date of their final publication in the Official Gazette. 2. In the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), rule 115 A, substitute the following title for the existing title, namely:- "115 A. Emission of smoke and vapour from agricultural tractors, power tillers, construction equipment vehicles and combined harvesters driven by internal combustion engines." 3. In the said rules, in rule 115 A. (i) following shall be substituted for sub-rule(9), namely: - "(9) Every agricultural tractor, power tiller and combined harvester shall be so manufactured that it complies with the following standards of gaseous pollutants emitted by them when tested on the following duty cycle, namely:- a. for variable-speed engines, the 8-mode test cycle or the corresponding ramped modal cycle and the transient cycle Non-Road Transient Cycle (NRTC) if applicable; b. for constant-speed engines, the 5-mode test cycle or the corresponding ramped modal cycle; c. emissions (g/kWh) shall be measured over applicable emission limit for Non-Road Steady Cycle (NRSC) and Non-Road Transient Cycle (NRTC) test cycle as per test applicability mentioned in Table 1,Table 2 and Table 2A given below and for NRTC test cycle, composite weighted emissions shall be computed by weighing the cold start results 10 per cent. and the hot start results 90 per cent. weighted composite results shall meet the limits given in said- tables Table 1 (TREM Stage – IV) Applicable emission limit for Non-Road Steady Cycle (NRSC) and Non-Road Transient Cycle (NRTC) test cycle if applicable +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+-----------+ | Category, kW | Applicable with | CO (1) | HC (1) | NOX | PM (1) | Test Cycle* | | | effect from | | | | | | +=================+=====================+========+=============+========+=========+===========+ | | | g/kWh | | +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+-----------+ | 37 <P< 56 | | 5.0 | 4.7(HC+NOx) | | 0.025(2)| | +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+-----------+ | 56 <P<130 | 01-01-2023 | 5.0 | 0.19 | 0.4 | 0.025 | NRSC | +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+-----------+ | 130≤P < 560 | | 3.5 | 0.19 | 0.4 | 0.025 | | +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+-----------+ * In case of a vehicle equipped with a Compression ignition (CI) engine, the gaseous and particulate emissions shall be measured over the NRSC/NRTC test cycle. In case of a vehicle equipped with a Positive Ignition (PI) engine, gaseous and particulate emissions shall be measured over the NRTC test cycle as described in AIS-137-Part 7 and as amended from time to time. (1) Not applicable for engine fuelled with Hydrogen. In case of engines where HC+NOx limits are specified, the limit shall be only on NOx emissions. (2) Applicable for CI engines only Table 2 (TREM Stage –IIIAA/IV/V) Applicable emission limit for Non-Road Steady Cycle (NRSC) and Non-Road Transient Cycle (NRTC) test cycle if applicable. +-----------------+---------------------+---------+--------+----------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | Category, kW | Applicable with | TREM | CO (1) | HC (1) | NOX | PM (1) | PN | Test | | | effect from | | | | | | | cycle* | +=================+=====================+=========+========+==========+========+=========+========+===========+ | | | g/kWh | #/kWh | | +-----------------+---------------------+---------+------------------------------------------------+--------+-----------+ | P<8 | 01-10-2026 | TREM V | 8.0 | 7.5(HC+NOx) | 0.4 | | | NRSC or | | | | | | | | | | NRTC (3) | +-----------------+---------------------+---------+--------+----------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | 8<P<19 | 01-10-2026 | TREM V | 6.6 | 7.5(HC+NOx) | 0.4 | | | | +-----------------+---------------------+---------+--------+----------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | 19 <P< 37 | 01-04-2028 | TREM | 5.0 | 4.7(HC+NOx) | 0.35(2)| | | NRSC or | | | | IIIAA | | | | | | NRTC (3) | +-----------------+---------------------+---------+--------+----------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | 37 <P< 56 | 01-01-2023 | TREM IV | 5.0 | 4.7(HC+NOx) | 0.025(2)| | | | +-----------------+---------------------+---------+--------+----------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | 56 <P<130 | 01-10-2026 | TREM V | 5.0 | 0.19 | 0.4 | 0.015 | 1×1012 | NRSC and | | | | | | | | | | NRTC | +-----------------+---------------------+---------+--------+----------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | 130 <P< 560 | 01-10-2026 | TREM V | 3.5 | 0.19 | 0.4 | 0.015 | 1×1012 | | +-----------------+---------------------+---------+--------+----------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | P≥ 560 | 01-10-2026 | TREM V | 3.5 | 0.19 | 3.5 | 0.045 | | NRSC | +-----------------+---------------------+---------+--------+----------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ * In case of vehicle equipped with Compression ignition (CI) engine, the gaseous and particulate emission shall be measured over NRSC and NRTC test cycle. In case of vehicle equipped with Positive ignition (PI) engine, gaseous and particulate emission shall be measured over NRTC test cycle as described in AIS-137-Part 7 and as amended from time to time. (1) Not applicable for engine fuelled with Hydrogen. In case of engines where HC+NOx limits are specified, for Hydrogen IC engines, the limit shall be only on NOx emissions. (2) Applicable for CI engines only (3) NRSC is applicable for CI engines and is NRTC applicable for PI engines only Table 2A (TREM Stage -V) Applicable emission limit for Non-Road Steady Cycle (NRSC) and Non-Road Transient Cycle (NRTC) test cycle if applicable +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | Category, kW | Applicable with | CO(1) | HC(1) | NOx | PM | PN | Test | | | effect from | | | | | | cycle* | +=================+=====================+========+=============+========+=========+========+===========+ | | | g/kWh | #/kWh | | +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | P<8 | 01-10-2026 | 8.0 | 7.5(HC+NOx) | 0.4 | | | NRSC or | | | | | | | | | NRTC(2) | +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | 8 <P<19 | 01-10-2026 | 6.6 | 7.5(HC+NOx) | 0.4 | | | | +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | 19 <P< 37 | 01-04-2032 | 5.0 | 4.7(HC+NOx) | 0.015 | 1×1012 | | | +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | 37 <P< 56 | 01-04-2032 | 5.0 | 4.7(HC+NOx) | 0.015 | 1×1012 | | NRSC and | | | | | | | | | NRTC | +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | 56 <P< 130 | 01-10-2026 | 5.0 | 0.19 | 0.4 | 0.015 | 1×1012 | | +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | 130 <P< 560 | 01-10-2026 | 3.5 | 0.19 | 0.4 | 0.015 | 1×1012 | | +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ | P≥ 560 | 01-10-2026 | 3.5 | 0.19 | 3.5 | 0.045 | | NRSC | +-----------------+---------------------+--------+-------------+--------+---------+--------+-----------+ * In case of vehicle equipped with Compression ignition (CI) engine, the gaseous and particulate emission shall be measured over NRSC and NRTC test cycle. In case of vehicle equipped with Positive ignition (PI) engine, gaseous and particulate emission shall be measured over NRTC test cycle as described in AIS-137-Part 7 and as amended from time to time. (1) Not applicable for engine fuelled with Hydrogen. In case of engines where HC+NOx limits are specified, for Hydrogen IC engines, the limit shall be only on NOx emissions. (2) NRSC is applicable for CI engines and NRTC is applicable for PI engines only Notes:- (i) The test shall be done on engine dynamometer (ii) The test procedure for measurement of gross power (without Fan) shall be as per procedure laid down in AIS: 137 and as amended from time to time. (iii) For gross power measurement the tolerance shall be applied for type approval and conformity of production as per table 3 given below Table 3 +-------------------------+-------------------+-------------------------------------+-----------------------+ | Engine Type | Rated power [%] | Other measurement points on the | Tolerance for engine | | | | curve [%] | speed [%] | +=========================+===================+=====================================+=======================+ | Type approval | +2 | +4 | ±1.5 | +-------------------------+-------------------+-------------------------------------+-----------------------+ | Conformity of production| ±5 | ±10 | ±5 | +-------------------------+-------------------+-------------------------------------+-----------------------+ (iv) Test procedure for measurement of emission of visible and gaseous pollutant and particulate matter shall be as per procedure laid down in AIS: 137 and as amended from time to time. (v) The emission of visible pollutant (smoke) for engines other than P.I. engines shall not exceed the limit values of smoke density when expressed as light absorption coefficients as given in Annexure -I of sub-rule (9) of rule 115, when tested on engine dynamometer at full load at six speeds as per procedure laid down in AIS137 and as amended from time to time (vi) (a) Engine manufacture may opt for an engine test as mentioned in table 4 given below for evaluating deterioration factors as per procedure laid down in AIS:137 and as amended from time to time- Table 4 +---------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Category (Power Band) | Emission Durability period (hours)| +=================================+===================================+ | 0 <P<19 (variable speed) | 3000 | +---------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | 0<P<37 (Constant speed) | 5000 | +---------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | 19 <P< 37 (Variable speed) | 5000 | +---------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | 37<P>560 all | 8000 | +---------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ (b) As an alternative to use a service accumulation schedule to determine deterioration factors, engine manufacturers may select to use the assigned multiplicative deterioration factors as per table 5 given below: Table 5 +-------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+ | Test cycle | CO | HC | NOx | PM | +=============+========+========+========+========+ | NRSC | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.15 | 1.05 | +-------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+ | NRTC | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.15 | 1.05 | +-------------+--------+--------+--------+--------+ (vii) Conformity of Production (COP)frequency and selection procedure shall be as per procedure laid down in AIS: 137 and as amended from time to time. (viii) For Conformity of Production (COP), - a. for Construction Equipment Vehicle with annual production or import up to 200 nos (per engine family), it shall be once in two years per family or model. b. for Construction Equipment Vehicle with annual production or Import exceeding 200 nos (per engine family), it shall be once in every year per family or model. (ix) For Conformity of Production (COP), the sampling size shall be one day's average Production subject to a minimum of 10 and maximum of 100: Provided that for engine family produced less than 200 in the yearly period sample size may be one. (x) The limits as mentioned in Table 1 and 2 shall be applicable for engines fuelled by following fuels: CNG, Bio- CNG, Bio-Gas, LNG, LPG, HCNG, Diesel (B7), Blends of Ethanol with Gasoline, Ethanol (ED 95), Flex-Fuel, Blend of Iso-butanol with Diesel, Bio-diesel blends up to 100%, hydrogen and dual fuelled engines driven by Diesel and any fuel out of CNG, Bio-CNG or LNG. For type approval and conformity of production, the test fuel shall be reference fuel or commercial fuel as specified below a. Reference Natural Gas fuel used in Natural Gas or Bio-Methane mono-fuel or bi-fuel vehicles shall be as per Annexure IV-L (G20, G23 and G25). b. Reference LPG fuel used in LPG mono-fuel or bi-fuel vehicles shall be as per Annexure IV-M (Fuel A and Fuel B). c. However, in case of non-availability of reference fuels for CNG / LPG, the commercially available CNG as per BIS 15958: 2012 and LPG as per BIS 14861:2000, as amended from time to time, shall be used for the purpose of Type Approval and Conformity of Production. d. The Reference Ethanol fuel (ED95) shall be as specified in Annexure IV-R. e. The Reference Diesel fuel (B7) or Commercial Diesel fuel shall be as specified in Annexure IV–T or Annexure IV-V respectively. f. The reference fuel Biogas (Bio-methane) shall be as per IS 16087:2013, as amended time to time. g. In case of LNG, fuel shall comply with the requirements as provided in Annexure IV- LA h. The vehicle/ engine fuelled with biodiesel blends up to 7% shall be tested with reference diesel (B7) or commercial fuel. Vehicles fuelled with biodiesel blends above 7%, shall be tested with respective blends. Biodiesel used in blends shall be as per IS 15607 as amended from time to time and the diesel used for blends shall be as specified in Annexure IV-T or Annexure IV-V respectively. i. The reference Hydrogen Fuel shall be as specified in the Annexure IV-W. j. The HCNG fuel shall be as specified in Annexure IV- ZE (IS:17314: 2019). (xi) The vehicles specified in this rule fitted with engines, which rely on the use of a reagent in order to reduce emissions, shall ensure the correct operation of NOx control measures, as per procedure laid down in AIS:137 and as amended from time to time. (xii) Emission of ammonia over the NRTC and NRSC for engines equipped with SCR shall not exceed a mean value of 25 ppm for engine power category less than or equal to 56 kW and 10 ppm for engine power category above 56 kW. (xiii) The diesel engine NOx reduction agent AUS: 32 (Aqueous Urea Solution) shall conform to part 1 and part 2 of ISO: 22241. (xiv) The vehicles specified under this rule manufactured after the 1st April 2026 shall be monitored for gaseous pollutant emission from in-service internal combustion engines installed on vehicles, as per procedure laid down in AIS: 137 and as amended from time to time. (xv) The engine or vehicle fitted with engines shall be affixed with a conformance label meeting the requirements as specified in AIS: 137 and as amended from time to time. (xvi) For the vehicles specified under this rule, the emission sampled within the control area as per procedure laid down in AIS-137 and as amended from time to time, shall not exceed more than two times the limit values of the emission specified in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 2A respectively: (xvii) Test procedure and safety guidelines for dedicated CNG / Bio-CNG / LNG / LPG and dual fuel CNG or Bio-CNG or LNG vehicles, kit component including installation thereof shall be as per AIS 024, AIS 028 (Rev.1) as amended from time to time, till such time as corresponding BIS specifications are notified under the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) Act, 2016 (11 of 2016). (xviii) Test procedure and safety guidelines for Hydrogen fuelled IC engines / vehicles, kit component including installation thereof shall be as per AIS 195A, as amended from time to time, till such time as corresponding BIS specifications are notified under the Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) Act,2016 (11 of 2016) Provided that the vehicles manufactured before the date of applicability of CEV Stage-IV and CEV Stage-V shall be registered up to eight months and six months respectively, after the respective date of implementation of this rule." (iii) After Annexure IV-ZD, the following Annexure shall be inserted, namely:- ANNEXURE IV-ZE [See rule 115 A (9) and (10)] Hydrogen Enriched Compressed Natural Gas (HCNG) - Specification +--------+-------------------------------------+------------------+---------------------+ | Sr. No.| Characteristic (2) | Requirement (3) | Test Method (4) | | (1) | | | | +========+=====================================+==================+=====================+ | i) | Hydrogen (percent volume) | 18.0±1.0 | IS 15130 (Part 3) | +--------+-------------------------------------+------------------+---------------------+ | ii) | Methane (percent volume), Min | 72.0 | | +--------+-------------------------------------+------------------+---------------------+ | iii) | Other Hydrocarbons (percent volume) | | | +--------+-------------------------------------+------------------+---------------------+ | a) | Ethane, Max | 6.0 | IS 15130 (Part 3) | +--------+-------------------------------------+------------------+---------------------+ | b) | C3 and higher HC, Max | 3.0 | | +--------+-------------------------------------+------------------+---------------------+ | c) | C6 and higher HC, Max | 0.5 | | +--------+-------------------------------------+------------------+---------------------+ | d) | Total unsaturated HC, Max | 0.5 | | +--------+-------------------------------------+------------------+---------------------+ iv) Impurities +---------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------+-------------------+ | | Water content, mg/m3, Max | 5.0 | IS 15641 (Part 2) | +---------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------+-------------------+ | | Total sulphurl), mg/m3, Max | 2.0 | ASTM D3246 | +---------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------+-------------------+ | | Oxygen, percent volume, Max | 0.5 | IS 15130 (Part 3) | +---------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------+-------------------+ | | Carbon dioxide and Nitrogen, percent volume, Max | 3.5 | IS 15130 (Part 3) | +---------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------+-------------------+ | | Carbon monoxide, percent mole, Max | 0.1 | IS 15130 (Part 3) | +---------------------+-------------------------------------------+-----------------+-------------------+ Total sulphur includes the sulphur content of odorant [F. No. RT-11028/22/2016-MVL] MAHMOOD AHMED, Addl. Secy. Note: The principal rules were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), vide notification number G.S.R. 889(E), dated the 16th September, 2020 and lastly amended vide Notification number ......... dated................

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