Checked against the Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024 (Ver. 1, effective 24.10.2024) on 15 October 2026. Published by MDG Services on 17 October 2026.
The three checks and the equipment
| When | What the dealer does | Held to | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| A tanker arrives | Samples each compartment, reads density and temperature, converts to 15°C MDG 1.2(viii) | Within ±3.0 kg/m³ of the invoice density MDG 1.2(iv) | Invoice density check |
| After decanting | Runs at least 50 litres through the pump, then takes a nozzle sample MDG 1.2(xiv) | Becomes the reference density from then on MDG 2.10 | Reference density rule |
| Every morning | Takes a nozzle sample before the first sale MDG 1.4.1(c) | Recorded by 10 AM MDG 5.1.9 | Reference density rule |
| Always | Keeps calibrated hydrometers, thermometers and the ASTM table in working order MDG 1.5(vi). Petrol also needs filter paper MDG 1.4.1(a) | Equipment shown when an inspector asks; filter paper handed to a customer who asks | Filter paper test |
Do not convert to 15°C by eye. Use ASTM Table 53B or the 15°C calculator MDG 1.2(iv) MDG 1.5(vi). The limits MDG prints for each fuel are on the density range page.
Records, display and what an inspector compares
- Register. Density records follow the Annexure 1 format and are kept for the present and previous financial year MDG 1.2(xiv) MDG 5.1.12. See the density register.
- Board. Density display is covered with the other displays on the boards MDG requires MDG 5.1.17.
- Yardstick. Until the lorry is decanted, an inspector compares samples with the invoice density. After decanting, it is your own after-decanting reading MDG 2.10.
When density goes wrong
| Situation | What happens |
|---|---|
| The reference figure an inspector needs is missing | Sales and supplies of every product stop at once and samples go to the lab MDG 5.1.9. If the sample passes, it is a major irregularity MDG 8.3 |
| A density or filter paper test fails | The oil company officer suspends sales and supplies of every product and sends samples to the lab on priority MDG 2.5(K) |
| Density is not displayed | Minor irregularity MDG 8.4 |
The amounts for each class are on the penalties page.
Old rules and new
The receipt check, the 50-litre sample, morning density, reference density, the equipment and the register read the same in MDG 2012 as last amended (Ver. 7, 30.11.2022), which MDG 2024 replaced. See what changed between the two.
General information, not legal advice. For your own notice, speak to an advocate or your oil company.
In this section
Questions dealers ask
01Petrol pump density kya hota hai?
Density is the weight of a fixed volume of fuel, in kg/m³. MDG 2024 has the dealer state it at 15°C, write it in the density register and keep the records ready for an inspector MDG 1.2(xiv) MDG 1.4.1(c) MDG 5.1.12.
02How is petrol pump density checked?
The dealer takes a sample, reads density on a hydrometer and temperature on a thermometer, converts to 15°C with the ASTM table and records the result. The sample comes from each tanker compartment on arrival, and from the pump nozzle after decanting and every morning MDG 1.2(iv) MDG 1.2(viii) MDG 1.2(xiv) MDG 1.4.1(c).
03Why is petrol density measured at 15°C?
Fuel swells when warm and shrinks when cold, so its density moves with temperature. One fixed temperature lets readings taken at different times be compared. That is a general explanation, not MDG's words; MDG states the 15°C MDG 1.2(iv).
04What is the density board at a petrol pump?
It is the display of density at the outlet. Not displaying it is a minor irregularity MDG 5.1.17 MDG 8.4. MDG does not say which reading the board should show, so confirm with your oil company.
05What equipment does a dealer need to check density?
Calibrated hydrometers and thermometers, other test equipment where it applies to the outlet, and the ASTM density conversion table. It must work, and inspecting authorities can ask to see it MDG 1.5(vi).
Read the official text: Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024 (PDF on Bharat Petroleum's website) (also published on iocl.com).
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