In short: From 1 October 2026, fuel stations across Delhi-NCR are refusing petrol, diesel and CNG to vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. Cameras at about 500 Delhi pumps check your number plate automatically. Separately, driving without a valid PUC can cost you a ₹10,000 fine.

What exactly has changed?

The "No PUC, No Fuel" rule has been tightened from 1 October 2026 as part of Delhi-NCR's winter anti-pollution measures, under directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). Fuel stations must not sell petrol, diesel or CNG to a vehicle that has no valid PUC certificate.

  • Automatic checks: about 500 fuel stations in Delhi have Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras. They read your number plate and check it against the national vehicle database (VAHAN). If your PUC has expired or is missing, fuel won't be dispensed until you renew it.
  • Where it applies: Delhi, and reported coverage across NCR districts including Gautam Buddh Nagar (Noida), Ghaziabad, Hapur, Bulandshahr, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat and Shamli in Uttar Pradesh, along with NCR districts of Haryana and Rajasthan.
  • Not just seasonal: Delhi's Chief Minister has said the government wants year-round enforcement.

What is a PUC certificate?

A PUC certificate shows that your vehicle's exhaust emissions are within legal limits. Under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, every motor vehicle must carry a valid PUC once it has been registered for a year. Your certificate's expiry date is printed on it. Validity depends on your vehicle's emission norms: for most newer (BS-IV and later) vehicles it is generally one year, and for older vehicles it is shorter.

What's the penalty for driving without a valid PUC?

Being turned away at the pump is not the only consequence. Driving a vehicle that breaks air-pollution standards is an offence under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (as amended in 2019). For a first offence it can mean:

  • a fine of ₹10,000, or imprisonment of up to three months, or both; and
  • disqualification from holding a driving licence for three months.

Traffic police issue these challans, and cameras can now flag expired PUCs automatically.

How to renew or check your PUC

  1. Get tested: visit any authorised PUC centre (most petrol pumps have one). The test takes a few minutes and the fee is fixed by the state government.
  2. It updates online: PUC centres now upload results to the national database, so the pump cameras should see your new certificate.
  3. Check status: you can view or download your PUC certificate through the Parivahan website (parivahan.gov.in) using your registration number.

Tip: If you were refused fuel even though you have a valid PUC, show the certificate to the pump staff and ask them to recheck. If the database is out of date, ask the PUC centre that tested your vehicle to re-upload the result.

Who is not affected?

Electric vehicles don't produce exhaust emissions and don't need a PUC certificate. Vehicles in their first year after registration are also generally not required to have one yet.

Frequently asked questions

Can a petrol pump refuse fuel if I don't have a PUC certificate?

Yes. In Delhi-NCR, from 1 October 2026, fuel stations must not sell petrol, diesel or CNG to vehicles without a valid PUC certificate, under the winter pollution-control directions.

What is the fine for not having a PUC certificate?

Under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, a first offence can attract a ₹10,000 fine or imprisonment of up to three months, or both, plus a three-month disqualification from holding a driving licence.

Do electric vehicles need a PUC certificate?

No. Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions and don't need a PUC certificate.

How long is a PUC certificate valid?

The expiry date is printed on the certificate. For most newer vehicles validity is generally one year; for older vehicles it is shorter.

Sources

Not legal advice. This page explains the law in general terms. Rules, fees and limits change, and your facts matter. Check the official source or consult a qualified advocate before acting. Disclaimer