What is a Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate?
The PUC Certificate stands for “Pollution Under Control Certificate” (full form). It is a mandatory document for every vehicle owner in India. This certificate states that you can legally ride/drive a vehicle in India with respect to meeting environmental standards. In other words, it is a validation document that states that the vehicle’s emission levels are within the permissible levels set by the government.
The PUC Certificate is issued by the authorised emission testing centres across the country. The issuance of an emission test certificate involves a thorough examination of the vehicle’s exhaust gas, and the test results are mentioned in the vehicle pollution certificate.
How to get a PUC Certificate
Here are the ways to get a PUC certificate for your four-wheeler or two-wheeler.
- Offline: By visiting the emission test centre
- Online: Through the VAHAN (Parivahan) portal
How to get a PUC Certificate offline
Here are the steps to obtain a vehicle pollution certificate offline.
- Step 1: Take your vehicle (two-wheeler/four-wheeler) to the nearest emission testing centre.
- Step 2: The testing centre operator will analyse the exhaust emission by placing the testing device inside the vehicle’s exhaust pipe.
- Step 3: The operator will generate the PUC certificate with the emission readings.
- Step 4: Pay the applicable fees and collect the pollution certificate.
You can get a PUC Certificate at the following places.
- Fuel stations across the country with emission testing centres.
- Authorised emission testing centres with computerised testing equipment.
- Licenced standalone emission testing centres.
Steps to get a PUC Certificate online
Here are the steps to get an online PUC Certificate.
- Step 1: Visit the VAHAN portal of the Parivahan website.
- Step 2: Click on “PUC Certificate”.
- Step 3: Enter the vehicle registration number, chassis number (last five characters) and verification code.
- Step 4: Click on “PUC Details”.
- Step 5: Print or download the pollution certificate.
Note that you can only get the existing (active pollution certificate) PUC Certificate by following the above-mentioned steps. You cannot renew or apply for a new pollution certificate online.
What is the emission test procedure to obtain a PUC Certificate?
The following steps will explain the procedure involved in the vehicle emission test for issuing PUC Certificate. It is a simple procedure that takes only a few minutes.
- Step 1: Take your vehicle to the emission testing centre and position the vehicle as per the instructions stated by the emission testing device operator.
- Step 2: The testing centre operator will insert a device inside the exhaust pipe.
- Step 3: Start your vehicle and rev the engine so the device can analyse the exhaust emissions.
- Step 4: The device will display the readings on the computer screen.
- Step 5: The operator will click a picture of your vehicle’s registration plate and generate the PUC certificate.
- Step 6: Pay the fees and collect the pollution certificate.
How to download your PUC Certificate
The ‘PUC certificate download’ process has become simpler, thanks to the official VAHAN portal. You can follow the following steps to download the pollution certificate online.
- Step 1: Visit the VAHAN portal’s official website.
- Step 2: Click on “PUC Certificate” from the top menu bar.
- Step 3: Input details like vehicle registration number, chassis number (last five characters) and security code.
- Step 4: Click the “PUC Details” button.
- Step 5: Next page will display the PUC Certificate details. You can either download or print the pollution certificate.
Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate charges
The bike/car PUC charges depend on fuel and vehicle types. The car/bike pollution certificate price ranges from Rs. 60 to Rs. 100, depending on the type of vehicle and type of fuel. Also, the PUC Certificate price can vary from one state to another.
How to check the status of your PUC Certificate online
Checking the PUC status online is quick, easy and straightforward. All you need is an internet-enabled smartphone or computer to check the pollution certificate online. Follow the steps mentioned below to check PUC details online.
- Step 1: Visit the VAHAN portal via the Parivahan website.
- Step 2: Select “PUC Certificate”.
- Step 2: Enter your vehicle’s registration number and chassis number.
- Step 3: On the next page, you can view the status of your PUC Certificate.
Can you renew your PUC certificate online?
If you are looking to renew PUC online, then you should be aware of the fact that the process cannot be completed online. Your vehicle must undergo an emission test to renew the pollution certificate. And for that to happen, you must take the vehicle to the nearest emission testing centre. Hence, PUC renewal online is not possible.
How to find RTO approved PUC Centres
You can easily find the RTO-approved PUC centres online via the Parivahan online portal. Here are the steps for it.
- Step 1: Log on to Parivahan’s VAHAN online portal.
- Step 2: Click on “PUC Centre List” from the top menu bar.
Step 3: Choose the ‘State and Office’ from the drop-down list to view the list of RTO-approved vehicle pollution testing centres.
Why is a PUC Certificate mandatory in India?
The PUC Certificate is mandatory in India to ensure that the vehicle’s emission levels comply with the pollution norms. Every motor vehicle (two/three/four-wheelers) must have a pollution certificate, irrespective of fuel type.
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 states that the pollution certificate for vehicles is a mandatory document to drive your vehicle legally on the roads. It is an essential document since it determines the amount of carbon emissions the vehicle produces, which is one of the key contributing factors to the rising air pollution.
PUC rules and regulations in India
Here are the rules and regulations related to pollution certificates for vehicles. Note that these are subject to changes.
- The permissible emission levels for vehicles are fixed under Rule 115 (2) of The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
- The acceptable emission levels for vehicles keep changing on a regular basis as per the government’s directives to keep the pollution levels in check.
- ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) rolls out directives related to examining vehicle exhaust emissions, limits and updated regulations.
- The PUC norms and the certificate format remain the same across the country.
- If the vehicle fails the PUC test (emission levels exceed the permissible level), the testing centre can issue a rejection slip.
- Under circumstances of non-compliance to the pollution norms, the registration authority can suspend the RC (Registration Certificate) and any other permits (with reasons recorded in writing) of the vehicle till the owner obtains a valid pollution certificate.
Contents of the PUC Certificate
A Pollution Under Control Certificate contains the following details.
- PUC Certificate serial number
- Vehicle details (registration number)
- The date of the emission certificate test
- Validity of the vehicle pollution certificate
- Emission test readings
How long is your PUC Certificate valid?
The validity of the Pollution Under Control Certificate is limited, and it differs for new and old vehicles. Here are more details about PUC Certificate validity in India.
- PUC validity for a car: The new car PUC validity stands at 1 year. Post that period; you need to renew the pollution certificate every 6 months.
- PUC validity for a bike: The pollution certificate validity for a new bike stands at 1 year. Once you cross that period, the renewed PUC Certificate is valid for 6 months.
Pollution certificate for new car (Permissible Levels)
A pollution certificate for a new car is a must as per The Motor Vehicles Act. It is a mandatory document to legally drive a vehicle in India. You can refer to the following table to learn about the PUC rules (permissible levels) for new cars.
| Type of vehicle | Carbon Monoxide (in %) | Hydrocarbon (in PPM) |
| BS6 and BS4 four-wheelers (CNG/LPG) | 0.3 | 200 |
| BS6 and BS4 four-wheelers (Petrol) | 0.3 | 200 |
Pollution certificate for new bike (Permissible Levels)
The PUC Certificate for new bikes is mandatory as per the rules and regulations of The Motor Vehicles Act. You can go through the following table to learn about the norms (permissible levels) for two-wheeler pollution certificates.
| Type of vehicle | Carbon Monoxide (in %) | Hydrocarbon (in PPM) |
| BS6 two-wheelers/three-wheelers (CNG/LPG) | 0.5 | 500 |
| BS6 two-wheelers/three-wheelers (Petrol) | 0.5 | 500 |
Pollution certificate for diesel vehicles (Permissible Levels)
The emission testing of diesel vehicles is different from petrol vehicles. Hence, the rules for PUC for diesel vehicles are slightly different. Here are the details about pollution testing norms (permissible levels) for vehicles running on diesel fuel.
| Type of test | Light Absorption Coefficient | Maximum Smoke Density in Hartridge units |
| Free acceleration test of BS4 diesel vehicles (naturally aspirated and turbocharged engine) | 1.62 | 50 |
| Free acceleration test of pre-BS4 diesel vehicles (naturally aspirated and turbocharged engine) | 2.45 | 65 |
Pollution certificate for old vehicles (Cars, Bikes and Three Wheelers)
Here are the details pertaining to the PUC norms (permissible levels) for old vehicles, including cars, bikes and three-wheelers.
| Type of vehicle | Carbon Monoxide (in %) | Hydrocarbon (in PPM) |
| BS2 four-wheelers (Petrol) | 3 | 1,500 |
| BS3 four-wheelers (Petrol) | 0.5 | 750 |
| Two/four-stroke two/three-wheelers manufactured on or before March 31, 2000 | 4.5 | 9,000 |
| Two-stroke two/three-wheelers manufactured after March 31, 2000 | 3.5 | 6,000 |
| Four-stroke two/three-wheelers manufactured after March 31, 2000 | 3.5 | 4,500 |
Should I carry the PUC Certificate while driving the vehicle?
Yes, you must carry a copy of the PUC Certificate (soft or hard copy) while driving the vehicle. As per the rules and regulations of The Motor Vehicles Act, the pollution certificate is a mandatory document to drive a vehicle legally in India. You can be penalised if you fail to produce the PUC Certificate during a general inspection.