Rule 21 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Some research needs a weight or measure that is not in a standard unit. Rule 21 lets a researcher ask the Central Government for permission to have one made, and gives the manufacturer who makes it legal cover. The rule is one paragraph and an Explanation, so this article is also about what it does not say. A legal consultation can help if you want to check how it fits your project.
A person who needs a non-standard weight or measure exclusively for scientific investigation or research applies to the Central Government for permission to get it manufactured. If the Government is satisfied that it is needed for that purpose, it may authorise the applicant to get it made by a manufacturer of the applicant's choice, and it is then lawful for that manufacturer to make it to the applicant's specifications. The Explanation defines a non-standard weight or measure as one in a unit other than the standard unit specified by or under the Act.
The text in plain terms
The heading is "Permission to get manufactured non-standard weight or measure for scientific investigation or research", and the rule sits in a chapter of its own, headed "Non-standard weight or measure to be used for scientific investigation or research". It says:
- Who: "the person needing such non-standard weight or measure".
- Need: the manufacture "is needed exclusively for the purpose of scientific investigation or research".
- Step one: the person "shall make an application to the Central Government for permission to get such non-standard weight or measure manufactured".
- Step two: "on receipt of such application, if the Central Government is satisfied that the manufacture ... is needed for the purpose aforesaid, it may authorise the applicant to get the non-standard weight or measure needed by him manufactured by such manufacturer as he may think fit".
- Effect: "thereupon, it shall be lawful for such manufacturer to manufacture the said non-standard weight or measure in accordance with the specifications given by the applicant."
The Explanation reads: "For the purpose of this rule, a non-standard weight or measure means a weight or measure which is, or is proposed to be, manufactured in accordance with any unit of weight or measure, other than standard unit of weight or measure specified by or under the Act."
Step by step
| Step | What happens | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The researcher decides the item is needed only for scientific investigation or research | Rule 21 |
| 2 | Applies to the Central Government for permission to have it manufactured | Rule 21 |
| 3 | The Central Government checks whether it is satisfied the item is needed for that purpose | Rule 21 |
| 4 | If satisfied, it may authorise the applicant to have it made by a manufacturer of his choice | Rule 21 |
| 5 | The manufacturer then makes it to the applicant's specifications, lawfully | Rule 21 |
The word "may" in step four matters: the Government is not bound to grant permission even if the applicant says the item is for research. The test is the Government's satisfaction.
What rule 21 does not say
- No form and no fee. Unlike rule 16 for export, rule 21 states no fee and names no form. Do not assume either; ask the Central Government's office how to apply.
- No period of validity. Rule 16(5) gives export permission one year. Rule 21 is silent on validity and renewal.
- No conditions or returns. There is no annual statement, no monthly record and no inspection clause, in contrast to rules 16 to 18.
- No rule on the final use. The text does not address what happens if the item is later used in trade. The word "exclusively" is the limit: a research item used in a transaction would fall outside the permission and within the ordinary prohibition on non-standard weights in section 25.
- No cancellation clause. The rule does not provide for cancelling permission once given.
These gaps do not mean anything goes. The Act's standards apply to every weight or measure used in a transaction or for protection, and the rule's permission is tied to the purpose of research.
Where rule 21 sits in the scheme
The Act starts from standard units and standard weights and measures (sections 7 and 8) and penalises the use of anything else (section 25). The General Rules then carve out limited, permission-based exceptions for non-standard items: rules 16 to 20 for export and rule 21 for scientific research.
| Purpose | Rule | Permission from | Key limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacture exclusively for export | 16 | Central Government | No sale in India (rule 17); monthly record (rule 18) |
| Sample checking for export | 19, 20 | Agency specified by Central Government | Random sample, certificate |
| Scientific investigation or research | 21 | Central Government | Needed exclusively for that purpose |
The manufacturer in rule 21 is a person making weights or measures for another. The Act requires a licence from the Controller to manufacture, repair or sell a weight or measure (section 23). Rule 21 says it is lawful for the manufacturer to make the item on the Government's authorisation. It does not say whether the manufacturer also needs a licence for the ordinary business; read section 23 and the State licensing rules, and take advice where it matters. Section 23 is among the sections the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 changes (licence becomes registration certificate) once the Central Government notifies it; that Act is not yet in force unless notified.
Examples
Example 1: a university laboratory. A physics department needs a set of weights in an experimental unit for a project. It applies to the Central Government, explaining that the weights are needed exclusively for the research. If satisfied, the Government authorises the department to have them made by a workshop the department chooses, and the workshop may make them to the department's drawings.
Example 2: a misuse. The same workshop later sells similar weights to a shopkeeper. The permission was for scientific research only; the sale is a transaction use of a non-standard weight and is outside what the rule allows.
Common mistakes
- Assuming rule 21 gives a general right to make non-standard weights. It covers only research, on permission.
- Starting manufacture before the Central Government's authorisation.
- Using a research weight for trade.
Need help with a rule 21 application?
If you are a researcher, institution or workshop that wants to get a non-standard weight or measure made for scientific work and want to frame the application and the paperwork properly, a legal consultation is a sensible first step.
Key takeaways
- Rule 21 lets the Central Government permit non-standard weights or measures to be made exclusively for scientific investigation or research.
- The applicant chooses the manufacturer, who then makes the item to the applicant's specifications.
- The Government acts only if satisfied that the item is needed for that purpose.
- The rule states no fee, form, validity period or reporting duty.
- Using the item in trade falls outside the permission.
Read next
- Rules 19 and 20 of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011: Sample checking of export weights and measures
- Rules 16, 17 and 18 of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011: Non-standard weights for export
- Prohibition of Non-Standard Weights and Measures
- Rules 22 and 23 of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011: Disposal of seized goods and ten-day verification
Disclaimer: Based on the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 (G.S.R. 11(E), 7 February 2011) as notified, using a scanned copy with gaps, read with the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 (Act 1 of 2010), the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 (in force) and the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 (in force only from the date the Central Government notifies), as on 30 September 2026. State Legal Metrology rules, later amendments and notifications change; verify the current position before acting.