The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has released a draft Petroleum (Amendment) Bill, 2026, inviting comments and suggestions from the public, industry and other stakeholders. The document was made available on September 30, 2026, as part of the pre-legislative consultation process before the final bill is placed in Parliament.
The ministry is accepting feedback on the proposed amendments until October 30, 2026. All responses will be reviewed and considered before the bill is finalised and formally introduced.
Key facts
- Draft released: September 30, 2026
- Deadline for comments: October 30, 2026
- Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
- Contact: Under Secretary (Distribution), Kartavya Bhawan-03, New Delhi-110001
- Email addresses: sodist-png[at]gov[dot]in and richa.86[at]nic[dot]in
- Document available at: https://mopng.gov.in/files/Whatsnew/Draft-Amendment-to-the-Petroleum-Act.pdf
What the amendment process means
When a government ministry plans to change existing laws, it often releases a draft version for public consultation first. This allows affected industries, businesses, experts and citizens to raise concerns, suggest improvements or point out unintended consequences before Parliament debates the final version. The Petroleum Act is the main law governing how oil, natural gas and petroleum products are explored, extracted, refined and distributed in India. Any changes to it can affect energy supply, pricing, business operations and consumer access to fuel.
How to submit your response
Anyone interested in commenting on the draft amendments can submit their views in two ways. You can send a physical letter to the Under Secretary (Distribution) at Kartavya Bhawan-03, New Delhi-110001. Alternatively, you can email your comments to sodist-png[at]gov[dot]in or richa.86[at]nic[dot]in. All submissions must arrive by October 30, 2026. The ministry has said that inputs received during this consultation will be examined before finalising the bill.
Who should engage with this consultation
The consultation is open to stakeholders across the petroleum sector. This includes oil and gas exploration and production companies, refineries, fuel retailers, pipeline operators, distributors and traders. Industry associations representing these sectors are likely to submit formal comments. Environmental and consumer advocacy groups may also participate to ensure their concerns are reflected. Government agencies involved in regulating or overseeing energy, power and transport sectors might submit feedback. Individual citizens with views on petroleum policy are also welcome to contribute.
What this means for you
If you work in the oil and gas industry, any amendments to the Petroleum Act could affect operational procedures, licensing requirements, regulatory compliance or business conditions. If you are a consumer dependent on petrol, diesel or cooking gas, changes to the law may eventually influence fuel availability, pricing or safety standards. Students studying energy policy, law or environmental science may find the draft bill and explanatory note useful for understanding how India’s petroleum sector is regulated. Job seekers in the energy sector should stay informed about regulatory changes that could create or eliminate opportunities.
What happens next
After the deadline of October 30, 2026, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas will review all comments and suggestions received from stakeholders. Based on this feedback, the ministry will refine the amendments. Once finalised, the bill will be formally introduced in Parliament, where it will go through multiple readings and debates before being passed into law.