On 23 October 2026, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) notified the Central Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026, further amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to update emission-related provisions and make several technical revisions to fuel specifications, emission tables and testing references.
Key Points:
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The Amendment Rules are framed under Section 110 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
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The amendment revises various provisions of Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 relating to emission standards and fuel specifications.
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The scope of certain emission-related provisions has been expanded by increasing the applicable vehicle weight category from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg.
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The description of HCNG has been corrected from “Hydrogen+CN” to “Hydrogen+CNG”.
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References to Gasoline (E10) have been updated to Gasoline (E10)/(E20) in the relevant emission tables.
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The amendment formally recognises E100 fuel alongside E85 fuel in various provisions of Rule 115.
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References to “E85” have been substituted with “E85 or E100” across multiple emission tables under Rule 115.
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A new explanatory note clarifies that E85 or E100 fuel may be used only in vehicles designed by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) as flex-fuel vehicles.
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References to “B10” biodiesel have been updated to “B100” biodiesel in the relevant emission table.
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Several technical corrections have also been made to emission-related tables, notes and testing references, including corrections relating to:
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NMHC and CH4 references;
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Measurement units;
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Emission values; and
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Fuel specification references.
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Under Rule 115E (4), the reference to “Annexure S for E100 vehicles” has been corrected to “Annexure SA for E100 vehicles.”
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The amendment updates the regulatory framework to reflect the adoption of E20 petrol and B100 biodiesel while expanding the applicability of certain emission standards to a wider category of vehicles.
Also Read: Centre Directs Oil Companies to Sell 20% Ethanol Blended Petrol
[Central Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Rules, 2026, dated 23-10-2026]
