Checked against the Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024 (Ver. 1, effective 24.10.2024) on 15 October 2026. Published by MDG Services on 24 October 2026.
When a sample is drawn
- Random checks. Company officials sample at random, covering at least 2% of outlets every month, on top of the MDG samples MDG 2.4.
- A trigger. Stock variation past the permitted limit, a failed density test, a failed filter paper test, a special drive or a specific complaint MDG 2.2.2.2 MDG 2.4.
- A joint inspection. A joint industry team can sample whatever the quick tests showed MDG 2.4.3.
What the inspector takes
Samples come from dispensing-unit nozzles on every MS and HSD tank MDG 2.2.2.2. Each set is sealed and carries the Annexure 4 label MDG 2.4.
| Product | Bottles per tank | You keep | Oil company's office keeps | Lab gets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MS MDG 2.4.1 | 6 x 1 litre | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| HSD MDG 2.4.2 | 3 x 1 litre | 1 | 1 | 1 |
If a mobile lab's sample fails, the third set goes to the oil company for testing, not directly to the lab MDG 2.4.4.
For petrol, the sample should come only through a nozzle that delivers non-2T (not premixed) petrol. If every nozzle on the tank delivers 2T-premixed petrol, precautions are needed so the sample has no 2T oil MDG 5.1 Note (ii).
For example, an outlet has two MS tanks and one HSD tank. The inspector draws 6 + 6 + 3 = 15 bottles. You keep 5, the oil company's office keeps 5, and 5 go to the lab MDG 2.4.1 MDG 2.4.2.
What reaches the lab together
The oil company's representative sends the lab three kinds of sample for each tank MDG 2.4.1 MDG 2.4.2:
- The nozzle samples from that tank: 2 bottles for MS, 1 for HSD.
- Your tank lorry samples from that tank's last two loads.
- The supply location samples from the tank named on your delivery documents: 2 bottles for MS, 1 for HSD.
If the lab cannot test MS for octane number, the second sample of each goes to one that can MDG 2.4.1.
The inspector does not open the sealed wooden box holding your tank lorry samples. He checks its seal and labels, takes the box into custody, and notes this in a joint memo that you or your representative acknowledge MDG 2.5(C). If the lab later finds the inner container leaking or tampered with, the dealer or transporter who owns that sample is responsible for its condition, and the case is handled as set out in the tank lorry retention sample MDG 2.5(C) MDG 2.5(E).
If you refuse
Refusing or obstructing sampling or an inspection is a major irregularity MDG 5.1.8. The minimum action is a 15-day suspension of sales and supplies the first time, a 30-day suspension the second time, and termination of the dealership the third time MDG 8.3.
See penalties.
General information, not legal advice. For your own notice, speak to an advocate or your oil company.
Questions dealers ask
01Who can take a fuel sample from my petrol pump?
Oil company officials, mobile labs, agencies the oil company has authorised, any authority the law empowers to sample, and joint industry teams MDG 2.2.2.2 MDG 2.4.3.
02How many samples does an inspector take from a petrol pump?
Six 1-litre bottles per petrol (MS) tank and three per diesel (HSD) tank, in three equal sets MDG 2.4.1 MDG 2.4.2.
03What is a nozzle sample?
It is the sample the inspector draws through a nozzle of a dispensing unit on each tank. MDG also calls it the RO sample. The lab compares it with your tank lorry and supply location samples MDG 2.2.2.2 MDG 2.5(G).
04Does the inspector pay for the fuel sample?
Yes. Officials pay for the samples and obtain a cash memo, and the inspecting officer makes the payment to the dealer MDG 2.2.2.2 MDG 2024, chapter 2, General Notes (4).
Read the official text: Marketing Discipline Guidelines 2024 (PDF on Bharat Petroleum's website) (also published on iocl.com).
Related pages
About Dealer Kavach (advertisement)
Dealer Kavach is an app from MDG Services that tracks your outlet's filings, renewals, inspections and daily reports, and reminds you before deadlines, in Hindi and English.