PUC Certificate and its Relevance

News Highlights

• Transport Ministry to introduce PUC certificate across India.
• PUC Certificate to help reduce the theft of vehicles.
• The government plans to introduce a rejection slip for the first time.

Pollution Under Control or PUC Certificate basically states that the vehicle is safe to drive on the Indian roads. It is a certificate that is provided to the vehicle owner after the test confirms that the emission levels of the car are within the prescribed safe limit. 

The PUC certificate is very important for every vehicle owner in the country.  If a person purchases a new car, then a PUC certificate will be issued to them. Post this, the test needs to be done every 6 months. The validity of the PUC Certificate basically depends on the readings shown in the test. If the vehicle emissions are found to be hazardous, then the PUC testing centre in charge will intimate the RTO about the same. The vehicle registration number will be submitted as well. 

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is now prepping to introduce uniform PUC certificates for all vehicles across the country. Furthermore, the certificate will now come with a QR code that bears all the important details such as the specifics of the owner, vehicle, and emission status. The Transport Ministry has also issued changes in the Central Motor Vehicle Rules. Before getting the PUC done, the owner of every vehicle will have the provision for a system generated SMS to their registered mobile number. This will also put a check on the theft of vehicles, which further can be detected when the vehicle is taken to the testing centres for procurement of a PUC certificate.

Talking about the uniform PUC format, the ministry has proposed to link the PUC database with the national register. The government is also planning to introduce a rejection slip for the first time. The slip will further specify the reason for rejection including where the engine emission values exceed the limits prescribed under the CMVR. 

Under the proposed law, if the enforcement officer finds out that the vehicle is not complying with the provisions for the emission standards, he can direct the owner of the vehicle to conduct a test at any authorized PUC testing stations. This communication needs to be carried out to the owner of the vehicle in the form of writing or electronic modes. If the owner of the vehicle fails to submit the vehicle for compliance, he/she shall be liable for penalty as per the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act. In other words, the owner can face up to three months of jail or up to Rs 10,000 fine followed by cancellation of driving license for three months.

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