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Boiler inspection certificates and competent-person records in a CMMS under the Indian Boiler Regulations, 2026
What the Indian Boiler Regulations, 2026 and the Boilers Act, 2025 say about certificate periods, renewal inspections, competent-person authorisation and boiler records, and how to keep them in a CMMS.
By Upvantix team
The Indian Boiler Regulations, 2026 were made by the Central Boilers Board under section 40 of the Boilers Act, 2025. The notification is dated 7 August 2026. They were published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary, Part III, Section 4, No. 596) on 1 October 2026, came into force on publication, and supersede the Indian Boiler Regulations, 1950. Things done or omitted before that supersession are preserved.
Under the Act, a certificate for use of a boiler is granted for up to twelve months on registration. When it ceases to be in force, the owner applies to a competent person, who must inspect within fifteen days. The regulations add three things. Some power and waste heat boilers get longer, records-based cycles. Competent persons need a Central Boilers Board authorisation, valid for up to three years. And there are record-keeping rules, including a Memorandum of Inspection Book and owner records kept for the life of the boiler.
A CMMS can schedule the renewal cycle, hold the records and track who inspected. It doesn't decide the legal interval. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What changed on 1 October 2026
- Notification F. No. P-30014/3/2021-Boiler, dated 7 August 2026, Central Boilers Board (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade). Made under section 40 of the Boilers Act, 2025, in supersession of the Indian Boiler Regulations, 1950.
- Draft regulations were published as G.S.R. 31(E) on 14 January 2026 and made available to the public on 27 January 2026. The notification records that no objections or suggestions were received.
- Published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, No. 596, on Thursday 1 October 2026. The regulations came into force on publication (regulation 1(3)).
- They apply to all boilers, including those working on natural circulation, forced circulation and forced flow with no fixed steam and water line (regulation 1(2)).
How long a boiler certificate lasts, and when it must be renewed
| Criterion | What it says | CMMS setup |
|---|---|---|
| Boilers Act, 2025, s.12(6) | On registration, a certificate for use for a period not exceeding twelve months. Up to 24 months for an economiser or unfired boiler integral to a plant where steam is generated solely by oil, asphalt or bitumen as the heating medium. | Certificate expiry date on the boiler asset; renewal work scheduled ahead of expiry |
| Boilers Act, 2025, s.13(1) | The certificate ceases on expiry; on an accident; when the boiler is moved (with exceptions); on a structural alteration, addition or renewal (subject to s.17); or on a prohibition order. | Work orders raised by these events, not only by the calendar |
| Boilers Act, 2025, s.13(4)–(5) | The competent person inspects within fifteen days of the renewal application. They inform the owner of any defect within forty-eight hours of the inspection, and inform the Chief Inspector. | Inspection work order with a due date; defects recorded as corrective work |
| IBR Appendix H: power boilers | After a full inspection under regulation 311, a records-based fitness certification at twelve months, with records provided at least thirty days before the certificate expires. Then a full inspection at twenty-four months. Boilers over 100,000 hours (or 25 years where applicable) are inspected every year unless a remnant life assessment is satisfactory. | Two linked schedules (annual records review, two-yearly inspection) with a 30-day lead time |
| IBR Appendix I: waste heat boilers in continuous process plants | Fired, up to 20 years: records-based at 12 and 24 months with Form IX; full inspection at 36 months. Unfired, up to 20 years: a further 24 months on records; full inspection at 48 months. Over 20 years: annual unless a remnant life assessment is satisfactory. Boilers in corrosive service, such as sulphuric acid plants, are excluded. | Schedules set by boiler class and age |
| Planned shutdowns (Appendices H and I) | A shutdown of fifteen days or more, planned after six months of certification, must be notified to the competent person so the inspection can be scheduled during it. | Shutdown planning linked to the inspection schedule |
| Hydraulic tests (regulation 296) | At subsequent examinations, 1.25 times the design pressure; 1.5 times where the competent person can't get inside the boiler. | Test pressure and result recorded on the work order |
Who can inspect: competent-person authorisation
The Boilers Act, 2025 defines a competent person as an inspector, or a person recognised under the regulations, for inspection and certification of boilers during manufacture, erection and use. Regulation 25 of IBR 2026 sets the recognition rules.
- Qualification: a graduate in mechanical, production, power plant or metallurgical engineering; at least five years' boiler experience; Level-II NDT certification in radiography and ultrasonic testing from ISNT, ASNT or a body they recognise.
- Examination: pass the Central Boilers Board examination (written 70%, viva-voce 30%; at least 45% in each written paper and 60% overall), then apply for authorisation within three years.
- Employment: regular employment with a Central Boilers Board recognised Inspecting Authority. For inspection of boilers in use under section 13, a competent person may also work independently. Maximum age is 65, if medically fit.
- Validity: one card per person, valid for three years from issue, or until the employing Inspecting Authority's recognition ends, whichever is earlier. Renewal needs inspection proficiency and continuing updation at least once every three years. More than five years without renewal means taking the examination again.
- Records: the authorisation number goes on every form, on stamped items and in the competent person's diary. The card is surrendered within seven days of leaving employment.
The boiler records to keep
Forms I to VI are construction, welder, manufacturer and recognition forms. The in-service cycle mainly uses Forms IX, X, XI and XII. Form I covers Inspecting Authority certificates during construction and erection; Form II the welder certificate; Form III the manufacturer questionnaire; Form IV the constructor's certificates of manufacture and test; Form V steel maker certificates; Form VI the Inspecting Authority recognition questionnaire.
- Memorandum of Inspection Book, Form XI (regulation 306): entries for each inspection, hydraulic test and steam test, plus repairs and accident reports. It is kept in the Chief Inspector's office except when the competent person needs it, and returned within seven days of the final inspection.
- Certificate for use, Form XII (regulation 310): the design pressure, safety-valve settings, and the date and pressure of the last hydraulic test. A copy is given to the owner on the day of inspection.
- Owner records (regulation 308(2)): Form I (Parts B and C), Form IV (Parts B and C), Form V (Part A), Form XV and the approved drawings, kept for the entire life of the boiler and transferred to any new owner.
- Competent person's diary (regulation 25(7)): bound and numbered, kept for at least five years from the last entry, and allowed in digitised form with online entries.
How to set it up in a CMMS
- Register each boiler and economiser as an asset with its registry number, location, type and rating. Attach the Form XII certificate, the owner's Form I, IV, V and XV records, and the drawings.
- Record the certificate expiry date, and create the renewal schedule that matches the boiler class: twelve months, Appendix H or Appendix I.
- Create preventive work for preparation (cleaning and opening up under regulation 295), the inspection and the hydraulic test.
- Record the external competent person on the work order, with their authorisation number and its validity date.
- Capture findings, test pressures and defects, and raise corrective work orders until each defect is cleared.
- Link planned shutdowns to the inspection schedule, and keep the history with the asset for the life of the boiler.
How Upvantix CMMS supports this
Upvantix CMMS is designed to organise the asset register, equipment hierarchy and locations, with documents and history; PM schedules, maintenance planning, checklists and inspections; and work requests and work orders with priorities, status and completion records. Findings and measurements captured at the point of work become part of each boiler's maintenance history.
Boiler inspections under IBR 2026: FAQ
When did the Indian Boiler Regulations, 2026 come into force?
On publication in the Gazette of India on 1 October 2026. The notification is dated 7 August 2026. They supersede the Indian Boiler Regulations, 1950, except for things done or omitted before that supersession.
How long is a boiler certificate valid?
On registration, the Boilers Act, 2025 allows a certificate for up to twelve months, or up to 24 months for certain economisers and unfired boilers. Some power and waste heat boilers can run longer cycles on records review under Appendices H and I of IBR 2026.
How quickly must a competent person inspect after a renewal application?
Within fifteen days of receiving the application (Boilers Act, 2025, s.13(4); IBR 2026, regulation 25(8)(a)).
Who is a competent person under IBR 2026?
An inspector, or a person recognised under the regulations, who holds a Central Boilers Board authorisation. The authorisation is valid for up to three years and needs continuing updation to renew.
Which boiler records must the owner keep?
The certificates in Form I (Parts B and C), Form IV (Parts B and C), Form V (Part A) and Form XV, and the approved drawings, for the entire life of the boiler (regulation 308(2)).
Can a CMMS make us compliant?
No. A CMMS schedules and records the work. Intervals, approvals and certificates come from the Act, the regulations and your Chief Inspector of Boilers. This is not legal advice.