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

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:

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

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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.”

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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