India to Extend PUC Certificate Validity for BS‑VI Cars to Three Years

India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft notification proposing a major overhaul of the Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUC) regime. For privately‑registered BS‑VI vehicles up to six years old, the validity of the PUC would be extended from one year to three years, reducing the frequency of mandatory emissions testing.

The draft also suggests a two‑year validity for BS‑VI commercial vehicles up to six years old, while vehicles older than six years would continue to require annual renewal, and those over ten years would need renewal every six months. Stricter renewal cycles are proposed for older BS‑IV, BS‑III and earlier‑stage vehicles, with intervals as short as three months for the most polluting categories. The proposal is currently open for public feedback and has not yet been finalized; existing rules remain in force until a final notification is issued.