New Delhi: The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed extending the validity of the Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) for BS-VI-compliant private vehicles that are up to six years old from the current one year to three years.
The proposal is part of a draft notification aimed at reducing the compliance burden for owners of newer, cleaner vehicles while promoting ease of vehicle ownership.
Major Relief for BS-VI Vehicle Owners
According to a PTI report, the draft rules introduce a graded PUCC renewal schedule based on a vehicle’s age and emission standard.
If approved, BS-VI private vehicles up to six years old will require a fresh Pollution Under Control Certificate only once every three years, replacing the current annual renewal requirement.
For BS-VI vehicles between six and ten years old, emission checks will become more frequent, while vehicles older than ten years will continue to undergo regular monitoring to ensure compliance with pollution norms.
Existing Rules for Older Vehicles to Continue
The proposed changes do not alter the existing PUCC renewal schedule for older emission-standard vehicles.
Under the draft notification:
- BS-IV vehicles will continue to renew their PUCC every six months.
- BS-I, BS-II, and BS-III vehicles will continue to require PUCC renewal every three months.
The proposal reflects the superior emission-control technology and cleaner fuel systems introduced under the BS-VI emission norms.
Why BS-VI Vehicles Are Different
India implemented BS-IV emission standards nationwide in 2017 before directly transitioning to BS-VI on April 1, 2020, skipping the BS-V stage altogether.
The BS-VI regime introduced ultra-low sulphur fuel, advanced engine technologies, and improved emission-control systems that significantly reduced vehicular pollution compared to earlier standards.
The Centre believes these technological advancements justify extending the validity period of pollution certificates for newer vehicles.
Draft Proposal Open for Public Feedback
The proposal is currently at the draft notification stage, and the government has invited comments and suggestions from stakeholders and the public before issuing the final notification.
If implemented, the revised norms are expected to provide relief to millions of BS-VI private vehicle owners across the country by reducing the frequency of mandatory pollution certificate renewals while maintaining environmental compliance.
