Vehicle owners may soon get relief from frequent Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) renewals.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed extending the validity period of PUCCs for private BS-6 vehicles.
Under the new draft notification, BS-6 vehicles up to six years old may not need annual PUC renewal anymore.
Instead, the certificate could remain valid for three years from the date of the vehicle’s first registration.
The move aims to reduce the compliance burden on vehicle owners and make the process more convenient.
New PUC Renewal Rules Proposed for Different Vehicles
According to the draft proposal, the renewal period will depend on the age and emission standard of the vehicle.
The proposed rules are:
BS-6 vehicles up to 6 years old: PUCC validity of 3 years from first registration.
BS-6 vehicles between 6 and 10 years old: PUC renewal required every 2 years.
BS-6 vehicles older than 10 years: PUC renewal required every 6 months.
BS-4 vehicles: PUC renewal required every 6 months.
BS-1, BS-2, and BS-3 vehicles: PUC renewal required every 3 months.
The government has invited suggestions from the public within 30 days.
After reviewing feedback, the proposal may be implemented.
What Is a PUC Certificate and Why Is It Important?
A Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate confirms that a vehicle’s emissions are within the limits set by the government.
It checks the level of harmful pollutants released by vehicles, including:
Carbon monoxide
Nitrogen oxides
Hydrocarbons
Particulate matter
The certificate helps ensure that vehicles meet environmental standards and contribute to reducing air pollution.
Understanding BS-4 and BS-6 Emission Standards
Bharat Stage (BS) emission standards are rules introduced by the government to control pollution from vehicles.
BS-4 norms were implemented from 2017 to 2020. After that, India directly moved to BS-6 standards from April 2020 by skipping BS-5.
BS-6 vehicles use cleaner technology and require low-sulfur fuel, which helps reduce harmful emissions compared to older vehicles.
If the proposed changes are approved, millions of BS-6 vehicle owners could benefit from fewer visits for PUC renewals while still maintaining pollution control standards.
