Gati Vidhi – September 2026

MNRE issues Call for proposals for Concentrating Solar Thermal (“CST”) Technology under RE-RTD Programme

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (“MNRE”) has issued a Call for Proposals for Concentrating Solar Thermal (“CST”) Technology for Indian Industry under the Renewable Energy Research and Technology Development (“RE-RTD”) Programme. The Call aims to accelerate the adoption of CST technologies for industrial heating applications and promote “Green Heat” through solar thermal technologies integrated with Thermal Energy Storage (“TES”) for clean, reliable and sustainable process heating. The Call focuses on commercially viable and scalable solutions and pilot projects that can reduce fossil-fuel consumption in industrial processes.

The Call identifies various CST technologies, including parabolic trough, Linear Fresnel, parabolic dish and power tower technologies, as well as Solar PV coupled with heat pump technology and CST integrated with thermal energy storage. These technologies may be deployed across sectors such as automotive, cement, ceramics, chemicals, dairy, food processing, glass, iron and steel, petroleum refineries, pharmaceuticals, textiles and hospitality. The proposed activities include identification of suitable industrial clusters, implementation of pilot and demonstration projects, preparation of case studies, development of best practices and facilitation of wider commercial deployment of CST-based Green Heat solutions.

Under the funding pattern, MNRE may provide financial support of up to 50% of the project cost, subject to a maximum of ₹2 crore per project, which may be provided in the form of Viability Gap Funding (“VGF”). The Call is open to industries engaged in the manufacture, development, deployment or utilisation of solar thermal technologies, including beneficiary industries utilising such systems in consortium mode. Proposals are to be submitted online, with the submission window opening on 8 September 2026 and closing on 7 October 2026.

Copy of the MNRE Notification can be accessed here.

MOPNG releases Draft Petroleum (Amendment) Rules, 2026

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (“MOPNG”) via Notification No. CG-DL-E-04092026-275979 dated 03.09.2026 published Draft Petroleum (Amendment) Rules, 2026 amending the Petroleum Rules, 2002. The proposed amendments primarily seek to streamline the regulatory framework for import and transportation of petroleum in ISO tank containers, facilitate online approvals and revise the existing requirements relating to fire safety and no-objection certificates. The key amendments are as follows:

1. The draft proposes substitution of Rule 14A to introduce an online approval mechanism through the PESO portal for import of petroleum-filled or intended-to-be-filled ISO tank containers, with import permission proposed to be valid for up to three years. 

2. Rule 75 is also proposed to be amended to extend the validity of transportation permission for ISO tank containers from one year to three years, subject to prescribed inspection and testing requirements.

3. Further, Rules 149, 150 and 152 are proposed to be amended by replacing “District Authority” with “District Fire Officer” for specified NOC-related functions, with a reasonable opportunity of hearing required before cancellation of an NOC.

4. Form VII-A is proposed to be substituted to cover applications for import and/or road transportation of Petroleum Class A or B in bulk in ISO tank containers. 

5. The draft also proposes insertion of a Sixth Schedule prescribing specific safety requirements for transportation of petroleum in ISO tank containers, including requirements relating to responsible personnel, fire safety, electrical bonding and loading/unloading procedures.

Copy of Draft Petroleum (Amendment) Rules, 2026 can be accessed here.

MoC issues clarifications on RFPs for Coal / Lignite Gasification Projects

The Ministry of Coal (“MoC”) has issued its Responses to Queries/Suggestions on the Request for Proposals (“RFPs”) dated 13.08.2026 for financial support for setting up Coal / Lignite Gasification Projects in India under Category II and Category III.

The key clarifications are as follows:

1. Incentives under two schemes: In response to a query on whether the same project may avail incentives under the ₹37,500 crore MoC scheme as well as the present scheme, having an incentive balance of ₹8,500 crore, the MoC stated that the project developer needs to take a view regarding the benefits available under the two schemes and apply accordingly.

2. Eligibility of Syngas: In response to queries seeking incentives for Syngas produced from coal and used as fuel, as well as its inclusion as an eligible final product for use as fuel in various industrial applications, the MoC clarified that the products eligible for incentives under the Scheme are those specified in Annexure-VIII of the RFPs.

3. Scope of Category III: The MoC declined the suggestion to expand Category III to include small-scale product-based gasification plants based on successfully demonstrated technologies developed outside India and adapted to Indian conditions. The scope of Category III shall remain as specified in Clause 1.1.2(C) of the RFP, i.e., development of indigenous Coal/Lignite gasification technology.

Copy of clarifications issued by MoC on RFPs for Coal / Lignite Gasification Projects can be accessed here.

MoC notifies timeline for Round-2 applications under the ₹37,500 crore Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects

The Ministry of Coal (“MoC”) has, vide notice dated 08.09.2026, notified the timeline for Round-2 of the application process under the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects (“Scheme”), which carries a total financial outlay of ₹37,500 crore. The notice has been issued in continuation of the Request for Proposal (“RFP”) issued by MoC on 07.07.2026, inviting applications for setting up new surface coal/lignite gasification projects in India.

The Scheme aims to accelerate implementation of surface coal/lignite gasification projects, reduce import dependence on chemicals and petrochemicals, enable value-added utilisation of domestic coal and support the national target of 100 Million Tonnes of coal gasification by 2030. Under the RFP, eligible Selected Applicants may receive a financial incentive of up to 20% of the Cost of Plant and Machinery, subject to prescribed caps, to be disbursed in four equal instalments linked to specified project milestones.

Round-2 commenced on 08.09.2026, with the last date of submission of Application being 09.11.2026. The Selected Applicant is proposed to be declared by 22.12.2026, followed by issuance of the Letter of Award and signing of the Project Agreement.

MoC has clarified that the above timelines are tentative and subject to change, and any modification will be communicated through the MoC’s website or the MSTC e-auction portal.

Copy of MoC Notification can be accessed here.

PNGRB announces Open House on Draft PNGRB (Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Natural Gas Pipelines) First Amendment Regulations, 2026

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (“PNGRB”), vide Public Notice No. PNGRB/Tech/8-T4SR&GP/(1)/2023-Volume(2) (E-4318) dated 10.09.2026, has announced an “Open House” on 17.09.2026 at 11:00 Hrs. in Hybrid Mode for stakeholder consultation on the draft PNGRB (Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Natural Gas Pipelines) First Amendment Regulations, 2026 (“Draft Amendment Regulations”). The draft Amendment Regulations were web-hosted on 27.07.2026 for stakeholder comments, and the Open House will form part of the process for finalising the proposed amendments.

The proposed First Amendment Regulations, 2026 seek to amend the PNGRB (Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Natural Gas Pipelines) Regulations, 2009 (“2009 Regulations”), which establish the technical and safety framework governing natural gas pipeline systems. The 2009 Regulations have been amended periodically to keep the framework aligned with evolving technical standards and operational requirements. The draft Amendment Regulations proposes to update the existing 2009 framework by incorporating the latest versions of applicable technical standards, introducing specific safety and design requirements for pipelines near railway land, permitting certain steel pipelines in SEZs and other dedicated notified industrial areas subject to specified conditions, updating electrical and lightning-protection standards, revising minimum separation distances for pipelines laid in the same trench based on pipeline diameter, and making related terminology, cross-reference and clause-numbering changes to improve clarity and consistency of the Regulations.

Copy of the Draft PNGRB (Technical Standards and Specifications including Safety Standards for Natural Gas Pipelines) First Amendment Regulations, 2026 can be accessed here.

PNGRB invites Comments on the PNGRB (Determining Capacity of Petroleum, Petroleum Products and Natural Gas Pipeline) First Amendment Regulations, 2026

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (“PNGRB”) vide Public Notice No. PNGRB/Tech/10-Cap/NGPL&PPPL/(2)/2022(E-3745), dated 7.09.2026, has invited views and comments from stakeholders and the general public on the draft PNGRB (Determining Capacity of Petroleum, Petroleum Products and Natural Gas Pipeline) First Amendment Regulations, 2026. The principal regulations, notified in 2010 and subsequently amended in 2015 and 2022, prescribe the framework for determining the capacity of petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas pipelines. The proposed amendment primarily seeks to revise the constitution of the “capacity assessment group” responsible for assessing pipeline capacity, by permitting assessment by PNGRB-nominated officials, a Board-approved group comprising PNGRB officials and representatives of another entity/transporter, or a Board-approved agency/third party. Comments may be submitted by email or post to the Secretary, PNGRB within 21 days from the date of issuance of the Public Notice, i.e., by 28.09.2026.

Copy of the PNGRB (Determining Capacity of Petroleum, Petroleum Products and Natural Gas Pipeline) First Amendment Regulations, 2026 can be accessed here.

MPERC issues Draft Second Amendment to Regulations on Recovery of Expenses and Other Charges

The Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (“MPERC”), vide Draft Notification dated 09.09.2026, has proposed the Second Amendment to the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (Recovery of Expenses and Other Charges for Providing Electric Line or Plant Used for the Purpose of Giving Supply) Regulations, 2022 (“Principal Regulations”). Suggestions, objections and comments have been invited until 30.09.2026, and a public hearing is scheduled to be held on 06.10.2026.

One of the key proposed amendments relates to Supply Affording Charges. While the charge of Rs.1,260 per kVA or part thereof of Contract Demand would continue to be payable by consumers, in the case of consumers availing supply at 33 kV and above, Rs.1,100 per kVA or part thereof is proposed to be remitted directly to the Transmission Licensee. This amount is intended to partly finance the Transmission Licensee’s expenditure towards system infrastructure development at EHT substations.

The draft amendment also proposes revised supervision charges for shifting of electric lines, poles and substations in connection with Bharatmala projects and other infrastructure projects of national importance or wider public interest. For Bharatmala Projects, supervision charges are proposed at 2.5% where the work is executed by the developer and nil where executed by the owner. For other infrastructure projects of national importance or wider public interest, the proposed supervision charges are 2.5% for developer-executed works and 15% for owner-executed works

Copy of the Second Amendment to the MPERC (Recovery of Expenses and Other Charges for Providing Electric Line or Plant Used for the Purpose of Giving Supply) Regulations, 2022 can be accessed here.