GATC Rules amended: test centres can now verify CNG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers
The Department of Consumer Affairs has amended the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013, letting GATCs verify five types of fuel dispensers, including CNG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers, as announced on 24 May 2026.
Summary
The Department of Consumer Affairs amended the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013 to expand verification infrastructure for weights and measures. Five categories of dispensing systems are added to the instruments GATCs can verify and re-verify: petrol/diesel, CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers. State Governments can notify additional categories for verification through GATCs, and officers of Joint Secretary rank and above can exercise powers under the Rules. Verification fees are ₹5,000 per nozzle for petrol and diesel dispensers and ₹10,000 per nozzle for CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers. The reform is in line with OIML recommendations.
Key facts
- Rules amended
- Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013
- By
- Department of Consumer Affairs
- Added
- Petrol/diesel, CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers
- States
- Can notify additional categories
- Fee
- ₹5,000/nozzle (petrol, diesel); ₹10,000/nozzle (CNG, LPG, LNG, hydrogen)
- Alignment
- International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) recommendations
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Which of the following is NOT among the five dispensing systems added to the scope of Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs) in May 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Electric vehicle charging stations
The five added categories are petrol/diesel, CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers; EV charging stations are not among them.
Under the amended GATC Rules (May 2026), what is the verification fee for CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers?
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Correct answer: C — ₹10,000 per nozzle
The fee is ₹10,000 per nozzle for CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers, and ₹5,000 per nozzle for petrol and diesel dispensers.
Consider the following statements about the amendment to the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013 (May 2026): 1. State Governments are empowered to notify additional categories of weights and measures for verification through GATCs. 2. The verification fee for petrol and diesel dispensers is ₹10,000 per nozzle. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
States can notify additional categories; the fee for petrol and diesel dispensers is ₹5,000 per nozzle, not ₹10,000.