The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed extending the validity of the Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) for BS6 private vehicles up to 6 years old. As per the draft, these vehicles would need a PUCC update once every 3 years, rather than the current one-year validity. This move is aimed at reducing the compliance burden on owners of relatively newer & cleaner vehicles.
The draft further states that if your BS6 car is between 6 and 10 years old, the certificate will continue to be renewed annually. Meanwhile, vehicles older than 10 years, including both BS4 and BS6 models, will still need to undergo emission checks every 6 months. This ensures that ageing vehicles, which are more likely to emit higher pollutants, remain under stricter monitoring.
The proposal reflects the government’s confidence in BS6 emission standards, which are significantly more stringent than previous norms. BS6 vehicles are designed with advanced emission control technologies, resulting in lower exhaust emissions and improved environmental performance. By extending the PUCC validity for such vehicles, authorities aim to streamline processes without compromising on environmental goals.
If implemented, this change could bring relief to millions of car owners by cutting down on frequent visits to testing centres and reducing associated costs. At the same time, it allows enforcement agencies to focus more on older, higher-polluting vehicles that contribute more significantly to air pollution.
However, it is important to note that this is still a draft proposal. Final implementation will depend on feedback from stakeholders and official approval. Once enforced, the revised PUCC norms could mark a notable shift in how vehicle emissions are monitored in India, balancing convenience with environmental responsibility.
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