Procedure for Obtaining Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate

Anamika Rathore

Anamika Rathore

Published on: Dec 26, 2025

Shreya Jain

Updated on: Dec 26, 2025

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Introduction

Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate is a mandatory legal document in India that certifies a vehicle’s emissions are within the permissible limits set by the government. It serves as official proof that a vehicle is not contributing excessively to environmental pollution and is roadworthy under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

Applicable Provisions

• Section 110 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
• Rule 115, 116 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989

Mandatory Requirements

• Motor vehicles (petrol, diesel, CNG, and LPG) shall carry a valid certificate at all times.
• Registration Certificate (RC) either physical or digital
• Pass Criteria: Emissions (like Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons) shall be within state-specific limits.

Procedure

1. 1. PUC Certificate through Parivahan Portal
   Owner shall access the official Government of India PUC portal at:
   https://puc.parivahan.gov.in/puc/views/PucCertificate.xhtml
   
   On the portal, owner shall:
   • Enter the Vehicle Registration Number
   • Submit the details to:
     • Check the current PUC status, or
     • Download an existing PUC certificate (if already issued), or
     • Confirm whether a fresh PUC test is required
   • If the portal indicates that:
     • PUC is expired, or
     • PUC is not available, then owner shall proceed to obtain a fresh emission test.
2. Physical Presentation of Vehicle at Authorized Emission Testing Centre

   Owner shall physically take the vehicle to an authorized emission testing centre, which is:

   • Approved by the State Transport Department
   • Integrated with the VAHAN database

   Note: Centres are commonly located at:

   • Petrol pumps
   • RTO premises
   • Authorized garages
3. Conduct of Exhaust Emission Test
   • Authorised operator shall conduct an exhaust emission test using calibrated equipment:
     • Gas analyser for petrol/CNG/LPG vehicles
     • Smoke meter for diesel vehicles
   • Owner shall:
     • Follow instructions given by the operator
     • Allow testing at idle RPM or as prescribed
     • Not interfere with the testing process

   Note: Emission levels are measured and automatically compared with prescribed limits under Rule 115 of CMVR, 1989.

4. Issuance of PUC Certificate
   • If Vehicle Passes Test, testing centre shall:
     • Generate a PUC certificate electronically
     • Upload the emission data directly to the VAHAN portal
   • Owner shall:
     • Receive a printed and/or digital PUC certificate
     • Verify correctness of:
       • Vehicle registration number
       • Date of issue
       • Validity period

     Note: Certificate becomes immediately available online on the Parivahan portal.

   • If Vehicle Fails the Test, PUC certificate shall not be issued.
   • Owner shall:
     • Get the vehicle repaired or tuned
     • Re-present the vehicle for retesting

Validity & Renewal

• New Vehicles: Valid for one year from the date of initial registration.
• Standard Renewal: After the first year, most vehicles shall renew their certificate every six months.
• Borderline Cases: If a vehicle’s emissions are found to be very high or near the permissible limit during a test, the centre may issue a certificate with a shorter validity (e.g., three months).

Exemptions

• Electric Vehicles (EVs) are generally exempt because they produce zero tailpipe emissions
• New Vehicles are exempted for one year after purchase