Pollution Control Certificates Could Be Valid For 3 Years For New Vehicles

Published June 23, 2026

The government is planning to extend the validity of Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) for newer, cleaner vehicles. The proposed change would mean less frequent visits to PUC centres for most car and bike owners.

What Is Being Proposed

New vehicles, up to six years old, may get a PUCC validity of three years instead of the current requirement. This applies to BS-VI compliant vehicles.

Here is how the proposed schedule breaks down by vehicle age and emission standard:

Vehicle Type	Age	Proposed PUCC Frequency
BS-VI private/commercial	0-6 years	Every 3 years
BS-VI private/commercial	6-10 years	Every year
BS-VI private/commercial	Over 10 years	Every 6 months
BS-IV private vehicles (made before March 2020)	Any	Every 6 months
BS-I to BS-III vehicles	Any	Every 3 months

Note: BS-I to BS-III vehicles currently require renewal every six months. Under this proposal, that frequency would increase to every three months.

Also Read – ISMA DG: Ethanol Conversion Kits Likely To Cost Around Rs 15,000

Why BS-VI Vehicles Are Getting Longer Validity

BS-VI fuel and engine standards, introduced in April 2020, are much cleaner than what came before. Compared to BS-IV vehicles, BS-VI vehicles emit 82% less particulate matter and 25% less nitrogen oxides.

Given that, requiring annual PUC checks on a nearly-new BS-VI car does not add much practical value from an emissions monitoring standpoint.

The government has also stated that the PUC process itself is being overhauled. As per the official statement:

“The process for PUCC is also being improved to ensure there is no manipulation in readings.”

The Downsides Worth Noting

Longer validity periods come with trade-offs.

PUC centres will see a direct drop in revenue. A three-year cycle means far fewer visits per vehicle, which hits smaller standalone centres the hardest.

For used car buyers, the situation is trickier. A vehicle with a three-year PUCC may have drifted from its original emissions performance, especially if it has not been serviced regularly.

Buyers will have no recent emissions data to go by when evaluating a second-hand car.

Image Source: Maruti Suzuki

Write a comment

Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!

What Is Being Proposed
Why BS-VI Vehicles Are Getting Longer Validity
The Downsides Worth Noting

Join the Conversation

Featured

Citroen C3 Review: Who Should Consider This Car?

A few days ago, I took the Citroen C3X out for a spin in the city and on the highways. I travelled long distances and checked its fuel efficiency, features, comfort, and other factors. Today, I’ll briefly share my overall experience with the C3X and will tell you whether you should consider it or not and which is the most value-for-money variant of the lot.

Vatsal Agrawal

May 19, 2026

Tesla Finally In India Officially. Why Now And What Does It Mean For EVs?

The much-anticipated 2025 Tesla Model Y has officially arrived in India, marking a pivotal moment for the nation's burgeoning electric vehicle market. Launched on July 15, 2025, the Model Y Juniper facelift offers cutting-edge technology, impressive range, and signature Tesla performance. Positioned as a premium electric SUV, its entry will intensify competition and reshape consumer expectations for EVs across the subcontinent.

Charan Narain

July 17, 2025

Here Are 10 Things The Harrier.EV Offers That The Mahindra XEV 9E Doesn't

The Harrier.EV is an incredible new offer from Tata. Its most popular competitor would be the Mahindra XEV 9E, priced similarly. With these two incredible offerings from home grown brands available, here is a list of everything the Harrier.EV offers that the XEV 9E doesn't.

Charan Narain

June 13, 2025