India vehicle regulation and emissions policy updates

India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced several draft proposals aimed at updating vehicle regulations and emissions testing protocols.

Initial proposals focused on the Pollution Under Control (PUC) regime, suggesting that the validity of PUC certificates for privately-registered BS-VI vehicles up to six years old be extended from one year to three years. The draft also outlined varying renewal cycles for commercial vehicles and older, more polluting vehicle categories.

Subsequent proposals expanded the scope of regulatory changes to include the national permit system for commercial transport. The Ministry proposed extending the permissible age limits for battery-operated, hydrogen fuel-based, and natural gas (CNG) vehicles by five years, moving limits from 12 and 15 years to 17 and 20 years. Additionally, the Ministry suggested simplifying the national permit process through increased digitalization and integration with the VAHAN portal.

Recent draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, specifically target the operational lifespan of cleaner fuel vehicles. Under these proposals, battery-operated, hydrogen-fueled, and CNG-driven commercial vehicles under the national permit system could see age limits increased to 17 and 20 years. This initiative is intended to incentivize cleaner commercial transport and mitigate high upfront costs for electric vehicle fleets. The Ministry also proposed revising temporary registration rules for chassis and expanding the use of the VAHAN portal to reduce paperwork, inviting public suggestions on these amendments.