PUC Certificate Rule: Starting October 1, vehicles without a valid PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate will be denied petrol and diesel in eight districts of the NCR. Consequently, it is essential to obtain a PUC certificate in a timely manner. Read on to learn more.

PUC Certificate: The level of pollution has been rising continuously in recent times. In light of this, the Uttar Pradesh government has taken a significant decision to help mitigate the issue. According to the news agency IANS, a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary S.P. Goyal concluded that, effective October 1, vehicles operating within the NCR without a valid PUC certificate will no longer be permitted on the roads. Therefore, it will be mandatory for every vehicle owner/driver to possess a valid PUC certificate. The primary objective of this regulation is to curb vehicular pollution.

What is a PUC Certificate?

A PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate is a vital document that certifies that the exhaust emissions from your vehicle fall within prescribed limits and that the vehicle is not contributing excessively to pollution. This certificate is issued following a pollution inspection of the vehicle. It records key details such as the vehicle’s registration number, the date of inspection, the measured pollution levels, and the validity period of the certificate. Under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is mandatory for all vehicles plying on public roads to carry a valid PUC certificate. This requirement aids in monitoring and regulating vehicular pollution levels.

In Which Districts Will These Rules Apply?

Starting October 1, vehicles in the following eight districts will be denied petrol and diesel if they do not possess a valid PUC certificate:

• Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida)
• Ghaziabad
• Hapur
• Bulandshahr
• Meerut
• Muzaffarnagar
• Baghpat
• Shamli

The government plans to install ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras at petrol pumps to identify vehicles that lack a valid PUC certificate.

The Process for Obtaining a PUC Certificate

Here is a simple guide on how to obtain a PUC certificate:

• To obtain a PUC certificate, the first step is to visit an authorized pollution testing center. Such centers are typically located at petrol pumps and vehicle service stations. • During the inspection, the vehicle’s exhaust emissions are analyzed to determine whether it is emitting pollutants beyond the prescribed limits.
• This process involves measuring the levels of various gases emitted by the vehicle.
• If the vehicle is found to comply with the prescribed pollution standards, a PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate is issued to you immediately.
• The entire inspection process typically takes between 5 to 10 minutes.

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What is Required to Obtain a PUC Certificate?

The process of obtaining a PUC certificate is quite simple. Generally, only basic vehicle details are required. If you are obtaining a PUC certificate for the first time, the vehicle’s registration number is sufficient. However, if you are renewing an existing certificate, it is beneficial to have your previous PUC certificate handy.
Notably, this process typically does not require any additional supporting documents.

How Much Does It Cost?

The fee for a PUC certificate may vary depending on the type of vehicle:
• Two-wheeler (Petrol): ₹50 to ₹70
• Three-wheeler: ₹70 to ₹100
• Petrol Car: ₹90 to ₹120
• Diesel/CNG/LPG Car: ₹100 to ₹150

What is the Validity Period of a PUC Certificate?

The initial PUC certificate issued upon the purchase of a new vehicle is typically valid for one year. Subsequently, the vehicle owner is required to undergo periodic pollution checks.
Once the initial validity period expires, the PUC certificate generally needs to be renewed every six months.

Process to Download Your PUC Certificate Online

You can download your PUC certificate online. To do so:

• First, visit the ‘Parivahan’ website.
• Select the ‘PUC Certificate’ option.
• Enter your vehicle registration number and the last 5 characters of your chassis number.
• Enter the CAPTCHA code and click on ‘PUC Details’. • As soon as you do this, your certificate will appear before you; you can download or print it.