Commerce Ministry notifies Ammonium Nitrate (Amendment) Rules, 2025; extends validity and renewal period of licenses from 5 years to 10 years

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (“MCI”) has notified the Ammonium Nitrate (Amendment) Rules, 2025 (“Amendment Rules”), which gained effect on 17^th April, 2025. The Amendment Rules codify a procedural change that had been under consideration: the extension of the maximum validity and renewal period of licenses granted under the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012, from five years to ten years.

Key Highlights:

1. Licenses issued for activities other than import and export of ammonium nitrate may now be granted for a period of up to ten (10) financial years, in place of the erstwhile five (5) year cap;
2. Existing licenses may also be renewed for a maximum of ten (10) financial years, thereby doubling the earlier renewal limit.

Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry