Only BS-IV and above: Supreme Court tightens rules on old vehicles in Delhi-NCR
Emission norms take priority over age in new Supreme Court order
What vehicle owners must know before driving in Delhi now
By Our Legal Reporter
New Delhi: December 23, 2025:
The Supreme Court has modified its earlier protection for old vehicles in Delhi-NCR, allowing authorities to act against diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years if they do not meet Bharat Stage IV (BS-IV) (or newer) emission standards. This modification was issued on December 17, 2025, revising the court’s August 12 order that had restrained coercive action based on age alone. The focus now is on emission standards, not simply age.
Also Read: NRE vs NRO: FEMA Rules, RBI Regulations, and Tax Implications for NRI Mutual Fund Investors
A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, clarified that vehicles with BS-III or lower emission standards will again be subject to enforcement, including impounding. Protection applies only to BS-IV and above. The order responds to worsening air quality and evidence that leniency allowed more polluting vehicles back on roads.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) supported the change, highlighting that vehicles below BS-IV have significantly higher emissions relative to the BS-VI benchmark, undermining pollution control efforts. The court accepted these submissions and emphasized practical measures to reduce congestion and pollution, strengthening Delhi-NCR’s response to the smog crisis.
Legal context and implications
- Reinstatement of 2018 ban logic: The court has essentially revived the effect of its earlier framework from 2018, which barred diesel vehicles over 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years in Delhi for air quality reasons, now refined to target vehicles below BS-IV. This narrows enforcement to emission non-compliance, avoiding blanket action purely based on age.
- Scope of enforcement: Authorities can impound, deregister, and penalize vehicles that are older and fail to meet at least BS-IV. BS-IV and newer vehicles, even if older than 10 or 15 years, are shielded from age-based coercive action, though they must pass fitness and comply with PUCC (Pollution Under Control Certificate) requirements.
- Alignment with CAQM directives: The ruling dovetails with CAQM-linked measures in Delhi, including fuel dispensing restrictions for vehicles without valid PUCC and curbs on entry of sub-BS-VI vehicles registered outside Delhi. Transport teams began compliance checks immediately after the order, signalling firm ground-level enforcement.
- Registration renewal prospects: The order has sparked optimism that BS-IV and BS-VI vehicles in Delhi-NCR may be eligible for registration renewals upon fitness tests, like practice elsewhere. Policy clarity may evolve, but the court’s stance clearly separates emission-compliant older vehicles from those below BS-IV, which face scrappage and impounding risks.
- Targeted scrappage pathway: Experts expect accelerated scrappage for BS-I, BS-II, and BS-III vehicles, most of which have exceeded 15 years since BS-IV came into force in NCR around 2010. This is consistent with the legal direction and air quality objectives.
Also Read: Falcon Scam: ED Traces Global Money Trail, Legal Fallout Looms Large
What vehicle owners must do now
- Check your emission standard: Confirm if your vehicle is BS-IV, BS-V, or BS-VI. If your diesel vehicle is older than 10 years or petrol vehicle is older than 15 years, you can drive in Delhi-NCR only if it meets BS-IV or above. Vehicles below BS-IV are at risk of impounding and fines.
- Carry a valid PUCC: Keep an up-to-date Pollution Under Control Certificate. Delhi has directed fuel pumps to deny fuel to vehicles without valid PUCC. This is being actively enforced, and non-compliance can halt your ability to refuel.
- Ensure fitness compliance: Even for BS-IV and newer vehicles, maintain roadworthiness. Expect stricter checks for fitness, emission controls, and documents. Renewals may become possible for BS-IV vehicles once fitness test norms are formally clarified, but until then, stay compliant and keep records ready.
- Beware of out-of-state entries: If your vehicle is registered outside Delhi and below BS-VI, entry restrictions may apply. Stay updated on CAQM advisories and Delhi notifications before planning travel into the capital.
- Plan for scrappage or upgrade: Owners of BS-III and older vehicles should prepare for scrappage or upgrade options. Explore manufacturer programs, authorized scrappage facilities, and potential incentives to transition to cleaner vehicles. This will reduce legal risk and future costs.
- Avoid high-risk corridors and dates: During severe AQI spells, authorities may trigger additional curbs—like suspending toll plazas or limiting certain vehicle categories—to reduce congestion and emissions. Watch for short-notice changes and traffic advisories.
Practical FAQs
Also Read: Supreme Court Orders Halt on Uttarakhand Forest Land Encroachment
- Can my 12-year-old diesel BS-IV car be impounded solely due to age? No. The court’s modified order protects BS-IV and above from coercive action based solely on age. You must still carry a valid PUCC and pass fitness checks.
- What if my 14-year-old petrol car is BS-III? It can be subjected to enforcement action, including impounding, since it is below BS-IV, regardless of passing PUCC.
- Will I get fuel if my PUCC is expired? Fuel pumps in Delhi have been directed not to dispense fuel to vehicles without valid PUCC. Renew immediately to avoid disruption.
- Can BS-IV cars get registration renewal in Delhi-NCR? Hopes are high following the court’s clarity but await formal administrative updates. Keep your fitness test readiness strong and documentation in order.
Wider policy moves to expect
Expect coordinated actions across NCR cities—Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida, Sonipat—in line with CAQM’s approach and the Supreme Court’s guidance. Measures like “no fuel without PUCC,” entry controls for sub-BS-VI outsiders, and intensified enforcement at checkpoints are likely. These steps are aimed at immediate air quality gains while longer-term transitions (EVs, cleaner fuels, scrappage ecosystems) scale up.
Delhi’s government and enforcement bodies have indicated intent to operationalize the ruling swiftly, focusing on practical compliance over blanket bans. The court has also urged administrative fixes—like easing toll-plaza bottlenecks that worsen emissions—signalling that traffic management is part of the clean-air toolkit.
Bottom line
If your vehicle is BS-IV or newer, you are protected from age-based impounding, but you must be fully compliant with PUCC and fitness norms. If your vehicle is below BS-IV, especially BS-III or older, prepare for enforcement, scrappage, or upgrade. Watch for notifications from Delhi’s transport and environment departments and CAQM updates, and keep documentation updated to avoid penalties.
Keywords for faster searches (Google + ChatGPT)
- Supreme Court Delhi NCR BS-IV ruling
- Delhi old vehicle impounding diesel 10 years petrol 15 years
- BS-III vehicle ban Delhi 2025
- PUCC fuel pump Delhi rule
- CAQM directives vehicle emissions Delhi
- BS-IV registration renewal Delhi NCR
- Delhi-NCR scrappage policy BS-III vehicles
- Air pollution Supreme Court order December 17, 2025
- Emission norms over age Delhi vehicles
- Delhi entry restrictions sub-BS-VI vehicles
Also Read: Online Dispute Resolution Clauses Gain Legal Recognition in India