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REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
The Gazette of India
CG-DL-E-09072026-274299
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 504]
NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2026/ASHADHA 12, 1948
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MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 3rd July, 2026
G.S.R. 562(E).— Whereas a draft of the Inland Vessels (Prior Approval for Alteration or Modification)
Rules, 2025 were published, as required under sub-section (1) of section 106 of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 (24 of
2021), vide notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways number G.S.R.
464 (E), dated the 11th July, 2025 in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, section 3, sub-section (i), dated the
11th July, 2025, inviting objections and suggestions from persons likely to be affected thereby, before expiry of the
period of thirty days from the date on which copies of the Official Gazette containing the said notification were made
available to the public;
And whereas, copies of the said notification were made available to the public on the 11th July, 2025.
And whereas, objections and suggestions received from the public in respect of the said draft rules have been
considered by the Central Government.
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub section (1) of section 28, sub-section (1) and clause
(f) of sub-section (2) of section 106 of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 (24 of 2021), the Central Government hereby
makes the following rules, namely: –
1. Short title and commencement. – (1) These rules may be called the Inland Vessels (Prior Approval for
Alteration or Modification) Rules, 2026.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Definitions. - (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, -
(a) "Act" means the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 (24 of 2021);
(b) "Alteration or Modification” means any of the following, namely: -
(i) substantially alter the dimensions or capacity of the vessel; or
(ii) changes type or primary function of the vessel; or
(iii) changes the gross tonnage of the vessel by more than ten per cent., or
(iv) changes the propulsion system or main engines or type of fuels; or
(v) substantially increase service life of the vessel; or
(vi) substantially affects the sub-division; or
(vii) substantially affect the watertight and weathertight integrity;
(c) "classification society" means a recognised organisation which is a member of the International Association
of Classification Societies.
(2) Words and expressions used herein and not defined in these rules but defined in the Act, shall have the meanings
respectively assigned to them in the Act.
3. Prior approval of designated authority. – (1) The vessel owners or operators desirous of making any
Alteration or Modification to their vessel so as to affect its strength, stability or safety shall submit an application in
the Form appended to these rules, specifying the nature and scope of the proposed alteration or modification to the
designated authority.
(2) Upon receiving the application, the designated authority shall review the proposed Alteration or Modification to
assess their impact on vessel safety, strength, stability and structural integrity.
(3) Alteration or Modification shall comply with the provisions of the Inland Vessels (Design and Construction)
Rules, 2024, in respect of the safety standards and any specific requirement outlined in the design or classification of
the vessel.
(4) In case, it is deemed necessary by the designated authority, an independent evaluation may be ordered through
a naval architect or marine engineer or surveyor, or through classification society, as applicable, to assess the technical
aspects of the proposed Alteration or Modification by the vessel owner as specified in rule 5 of the Inland Vessels
(Design and Construction) Rules, 2024.
(5) In case of Alteration or Modification that would impact vessel safety or environment, the designated authority
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shall order the vessel to undergo a thorough safety assessment and such measure shall be implemented to mitigate the
impact.
(6) In cases where such vessel is required to be maintained under survey of a classification society as per rule 4 of
the Inland Vessels (Design and Construction) Rules, 2024, the concerned classification society shall also be informed
accordingly by the vessel owner.
(7) Upon verification of application for Alteration or Modification submitted by the vessel owner or operator, the
designated authority shall grant a certificate of prior approval to the vessel owner or operator and the owner shall
display the certificate of prior approval onboard the vessel at all times.
(8) The vessel owner shall take necessary measures for recording of Alteration or Modification or re-registration of
vessel (as applicable) as per rule 9 of the Inland Vessels (Registration and other Technical issues) Rules, 2022.
4. Other alterations or modifications.- All other alterations or modifications shall be intimated in writing to the
designated authority within thirty days of carrying out such alterations or modifications in Form 6 of the Inland
Vessels (Registration and other Technical issues) Rules, 2022 .
5. Criteria for grant of approval. – All Alterations or Modifications to vessels as referred to in rule 4, shall
adhere to the following criteria, namely:-
(a) Alteration or Modification shall ensure the safety of the vessel, crew, passengers and the environment in
accordance with rule 5 of the Inland Vessels (Design and Construction) Rules, 2024 and other applicable rules
framed under the Act.
(b) structural alterations or modifications shall be designed and executed in a way that maintains or enhances
the structural integrity and stability of the vessel and the structural calculations and assessments may be carried
out by the designer and submitted to the designated authority or classification society (for vessels under
classification society), as applicable, for verification and approval.
(c) for Alterations or Modifications that affect the stability of the vessel, a stability analysis shall be conducted
as per the provisions of the Inland Vessels (Design and Construction) Rules, 2024 for verification by
designated authority or classification society, as applicable, and the vessel shall be operated within its approved
stability limits.
FORM
Application for Prior Approval of Alteration or Modification in Inland Vessel
[See rule 3(1)]
To,
The Designated Authority,
Subject: Application for Prior Approval for Alteration or Modification of Inland Vessel
Sir/Madam,
I, [Name of Owner], being the owner of the inland vessel named “ | ", bearing
Official Number | hereby submit this application seeking prior approval for
carrying out the following proposed alterations/modifications to the said vessel:
1.
2.
3.
The proposed alterations/modifications are intended to:
(brief description of purpose, e.g., safety improvement, capacity enhancement, structural
modification, etc.)
I hereby undertake that:
(a) The above proposed alterations or modifications shall not be carried out without obtaining prior
approval from
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the Designated Authority;
(b) The proposed alterations or modifications shall comply with the applicable provisions of the Act
and rules made thereunder;
(c) The vessel shall be offered for inspection/survey upon completion of the approved alterations or
modifications.
I enclose herewith the following documents:
(a) Detailed plans/drawings of proposed alterations or modifications;
(b) Stability/structural calculations, if applicable;
(c) Copy of Certificate of Registration No. | ;
(d) Proof of payment of prescribed fee (treasury challan);
(e) Any other relevant documents:
Declaration:
I hereby declare that the particulars furnished above are true and correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief.
Date:
Place:
Signature of Owner:
Name of Owner:
Address:
For Office Use / Approval
The proposed alterations or modifications have been examined:
Approved
Approved with conditions (details below)
Rejected
Conditions, if any:
Name & Designation of Registering Authority:
Signature:
Date:
[F. No. IWT-II-12011/4/2025-IWT-II]
DR. KAMALA KANTA NATH, Adviser (Statistics)
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.
VINOD
KUMAR
Digitally signed by
VINOD KUMAR
Date: 2026.07.09
16:42:27 +05'30'
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