Lift and Elevator Codes and Standards in India
Lifts are regulated at STATE level: each state/UT has its own Lifts Act and Rules (e.g. Maharashtra Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks Act 2017 (Act 15 of 2018), Karnataka Lifts, Escalators and Passenger Conveyors Act 2012, Bombay Lifts Act 1939 as extended to Delhi with the Delhi Lift Rules 1942, Uttar Pradesh Lifts and Escalators Act 2024), typically administered by the state Electrical Inspectorate. An owner obtains permission to erect and then a licence to work the lift from the Inspector of Lifts; several states have no lift act at all. Technical requirements come from BIS Indian Standards (IS 17900 series replacing IS 14665/14671/15785; IS 4591 for escalators) and the National Building Code 2016 Part 8 Section 5, adopted through state building bye-laws.
Who regulates lifts
State Electrical Inspectorates / Inspectors of Lifts (no national lift regulator)
Periodic inspection
Varies by state. Delhi: annual testing and safety certification by an authorised person (Delhi Lifts (Amendment) Rules 2017). Karnataka: Electrical Inspectorate inspection (frequency reported inconsistently as annual or quarterly - unverified).
Installer and maintenance licensing
Varies by state; state acts register/licence lift erectors and maintainers (e.g. Karnataka Act 2012 regulates persons who erect and maintain lifts).
Laws, codes and standards
- Bombay Lifts Act, 1939 (as extended to NCT of Delhi) — Bombay Lifts Act, 1939 as extended to DelhiMandatory · Extended to NCT of Delhi · Labour Department (Electrical Inspectorate), GNCTD
- Karnataka Act 9 of 2013 — Karnataka Lifts, Escalators and Passenger Conveyors Act, 2012Mandatory · State legislation; in force 20 Jan 2015; repealed Karnataka Lifts Act 1974 · Government of Karnataka (Energy Department / Electrical Inspectorate)
- Maharashtra Act 15 of 2018 — Maharashtra Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks Act, 2017Mandatory · State legislation; repeals Maharashtra Lifts Act 1939 · Government of Maharashtra (Chief Electrical Inspector)
- Uttar Pradesh Lifts and Escalators Act, 2024 — Uttar Pradesh Lifts and Escalators Act, 2024Mandatory · State legislation · Government of Uttar Pradesh
- Delhi Lift Rules, 1942 (amended 2017) — Delhi Lift Rules, 1942Mandatory · Bombay Lifts Act 1939 as extended to Delhi · GNCTD Labour Department
- NBC 2016 Part 8 Section 5 (SP 7) (2016) — National Building Code of India 2016, Part 8 Building Services, Section 5: Installation of Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks (5A Lifts, 5B Escalators and Moving Walks)Referenced by law · Model code adopted via state/municipal building bye-laws · BIS (CED 46)
- IS 14665 series — Electric traction lifts (withdrawn parts superseded by IS 17900)Superseded · BIS
- IS 15259 — Home liftsVoluntary · BIS (ETD 25)
- IS 15330 — Lifts for persons with disabilities (accessibility)Voluntary · BIS (ETD 25)
- IS 17900 (Part 1) (2022) — Lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Part 1: Safety rulesReferenced by law · BIS standard; referenced via NBC/state rules (legal force varies by state) · BIS (ETD 25)
- IS 17900 (Part 2) — Lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Part 2: Design rules, calculations, examinations and tests of lift componentsVoluntary · BIS (ETD 25)
- IS 17900 (Part 5) (2024) — Lifts - Part 5: Inspection guideSuperseded · BIS (ETD 25)
- IS 17900 (Part 5) (2026) — Lifts - Part 5: Guide for inspection of liftsVoluntary · BIS (ETD 25)
- IS 4591 (Part 1/Sec 1) (2020) — Escalators and moving walks - Part 1, Section 1: Safety requirementsVoluntary · BIS (ETD 25)
Lift associations and bodies
- Elevator & Escalator Component Manufacturers' Association of India (EECMAI)
- Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers' Association - Elevator & Escalator Division (IEEMA)
- Chief Electrical Inspector, Government of Maharashtra
- Electrical Inspectorate, Labour Department, Government of NCT of Delhi
- BIS Lifts, Escalators and Moving Walks Sectional Committee (ETD 25)
Last verified 2026-10-16. Standards are copyrighted: we list which one applies and its legal status, not its text.