Uttar Pradesh's National Capital Region (NCR) is set to implement a stringent 'no PUC, no fuel' policy, mirroring Delhi's model, to combat rising air pollution. From October 1, 2026, vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate will be refused petrol, diesel, or CNG at fuel stations in the region.
How the New 'No PUC, No Fuel' Rule Works
Under this new regulation, petrol pumps will be prohibited from dispensing fuel to vehicles that cannot present a valid PUC certificate. To enforce this, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras are slated for installation at 1,041 fuel stations across the NCR districts. These cameras will scan license plates and cross-reference them with the Parivahan database to verify compliance.
Affected Districts in UP NCR
The policy will impact eight districts of Uttar Pradesh that fall within the NCR. These include:
- Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida)
- Ghaziabad
- Hapur
- Bulandshahr
- Meerut
- Muzaffarnagar
- Baghpat
- Shamli
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Driving without a valid PUC certificate is a serious offense under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, especially in critical pollution zones like Delhi-NCR. Violators face:
- Fines: A spot fine of up to ₹10,000 for an expired or missing PUC. ANPR cameras can also issue electronic challans of the same amount directly to the vehicle owner's phone.
- Jail Time: Up to three months imprisonment for a first-time violation, extending to six months for subsequent offenses.
- License Suspension: Driving licenses can be suspended for three months for repeat offenses involving heavily polluting vehicles.
Vehicle Seizure Protocols
Authorities have the power to impound and seize vehicles under specific conditions:
- If a vehicle is pulled over and found emitting dense smoke without a valid PUC, it can be immediately towed as an environmental hazard.
- Should a driver be fined but subsequently caught a second or third time with the same faulty emissions profile, their vehicle will be seized.
- Presenting a fake or tampered digital PUC is a criminal act of fraud, leading to immediate vehicle seizure and separate legal charges.
- During peak winter months, police have broad authority to seize non-compliant vehicles due to emergency environmental mandates.
Rationale Behind the Policy
Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary S P Goel highlighted the state government's ambitious target to reduce air pollution levels in the NCR region by 30-35 percent in 2026. This 'no PUC, no fuel' policy is a key initiative within a broader strategy that also includes phasing out old and polluting vehicles, promoting BS-VI, CNG, and electric vehicles under the Naya Safar scheme, and ensuring public awareness and participation.
Around 26.19 lakh end-of-life vehicles have been identified in the NCR districts, with 37,156 scrapped and 460 seized between January and April 2026, indicating the scale of the challenge.
How to Obtain a PUC Certificate
Vehicle owners can obtain a PUC certificate from any government-authorized testing center, typically located at local fuel stations. A technician will insert a specialized probe into the vehicle's exhaust pipe to measure pollutants like carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. If the vehicle passes the emission test, a printed PUC certificate is issued instantly upon payment of a fee, usually ranging from ₹60 to ₹150.