Government Plans to Extend PUC Validity for BS6 Vehicles to Three Years

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has put forth a significant proposal aimed at easing the regulatory burden on owners of BS VI vehicles by extending the validity period of the Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) from the current one year to three years. This initiative is encapsulated in a draft notification that has been released for public consultation, although it has yet to be formally enacted. If this proposal receives the necessary approvals, owners of eligible BS VI private vehicles will find themselves needing to renew their PUC certificates less frequently than they do under the existing regulations. Until the final notification is officially issued, however, vehicle owners must adhere to the current PUC renewal schedule without any changes.

The rationale behind this proposed change lies in the advanced emission-control technologies integrated into BS VI vehicles. These modern vehicles are designed with superior emission control systems compared to older Bharat Stage models. Features such as enhanced engines, improved catalytic converters, and onboard emission monitoring systems enable these vehicles to maintain lower emission levels for extended periods during normal operation. The ministry's proposal is currently open for public feedback, allowing stakeholders to voice their opinions and concerns. Following the conclusion of this consultation period, the ministry will evaluate the feedback received before making a decision on whether to finalize and implement the amendment. As it stands, this remains a proposal and has not yet been put into action.