With digitalisation, getting things in the comfort of your home has become easier, making it more convenient and less time-consuming. Similarly, you can get the necessary vehicle-related documents online, including the PUC certificate.
A Pollution Under Control Certificate or PUC certificate is a government-issued document that is awarded to the vehicle if its emission levels are within the authorised emission standards. It is one of the mandatory documents and must be present with every vehicle on the road at all times.
So, to make it simpler, here is a blog that answers the most commonly asked question, “How to get a PUC certificate online?” and all the related information.
What is a PUC Certificate?
As mentioned, the PUC certificate is one of the mandatory documents all vehicle owners must carry while driving on Indian streets. This document is issued only when a vehicle’s emissions are within the set limits.
In other words, carrying this document is proof that your vehicle is safe to drive around in the city and does not pollute the environment with harmful emissions. Under the India Motor Vehicle Act of 1988, if you do not possess the document, you can receive a challan. But why is the PUC test necessary?
A PUC test ensures that vehicles emit pollutants within the permissible limits.
Ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Helps detect engine problems earlier, saving you money.
A certificate of PUC test enables you to drive the vehicle legally in your city.
It is a mandatory document required while renewing your motor insurance.
Components of PUC Certificate
PUC Serial Number
Every PUC certificate of the vehicle has a unique serial number, which helps track the details or identify the certificate.
Details of the Vehicle
Your PUC certificate will have details about your vehicle, such as make and model, registration number, etc. This helps identify the vehicle for which it is issued.
Issue Date and Expiry Date
The certificate clearly mentions the date on the last day on which the PUC test was conducted and the certificate’s validity. The validity is 1 year from the date of issue for new cars, and for older cars, the validity is for 6 months.
Emission Readings
Your PUC certificate presents test readings, such as CO and HC, recorded at the time of issue. This gives the verifying officer insight into your car's overall health.
How to Get a Pollution Certificate Online?
The government has now introduced a dedicated online portal, known as 'Parivahan Seva', for PUC certification. Through this portal, you can check the status and validity of your vehicle's PUC certificate, understand the PUC certificate download process and get information on how to get the PUC online, etc.
Step 1: Go to the official
PUC Parivahan website.
Step 2 Go to the PUC Certificate tab found on the home screen.
Step 3: Enter your vehicle’s registration number and the last 5 characters of the Chassis number.
Step 4: Enter the captcha and fetch details.
Step 5: Your PUC certificate will be displayed, which you can print for your records.
Note that you can only print an existing or valid PUC certificate online. To apply for a new one or renew your PUC certificate, you must follow the offline process. Pollution Under Control certificate online download can also be done the same way.
How to Find the Nearest Licenced PUC Center?
Go to the
Parivahan website.
Go to the “PUC Center List” tab from the navigation menu.
Select your state and district name.
Based on your input, the website will display the list of RTO-authorised centres along with their information, such as contact details, addresses, types of vehicle testing available, etc.
Also, secure the PUC certificate of your vehicle from an RTO-authorised centre only, for it to be valid and to avoid misguidance.
How to Check the Status of PUC Online?
In case you have applied for a new PUC centre to get your emission levels tested, you can check the status of your application with this process:
Visit the
Parivahan website.
Click on the “Online Services” section. Then, go to “Application Status”.
Select your application type as “Registration” or “Renewal”.
Enter your application ID.
Fill in the captcha code and submit to view the status of your application
How to Check Your PUC Certificate’s Validity?
Visit the
Parivahan website.
Click on the “PUC Certificate” section.
Enter the required credentials, which include the registration number, the last 5 digits of the vehicle's chassis number, and the captcha code.
Submit to view the information about your PUC certificate.
Permissible Emission Levels
Type of Vehicle |
Manufacturing Year |
Permissible Levels of CO (Carbon Monoxide) % |
Permissible Levels of Hydrocarbon in PPM |
2 and 4 strokes new bike and 3-wheelers | Before 31st March 2000 | 4.5 | 9000 |
2 strokes new bike and 3-wheelers | After 31st March 2000 | 3.5 | 6000 |
4 strokes new bike and 3-wheelers | After 31st March 2000 | 3.5 | 4000 |
Car | Manufactured according to the Pre Bharat Stage 2 Norms. | 3 | 1500 |
Car | Manufactured according to the Pre Bharat Stage 2 or Stage 3 norms. | 0.5 | 750 |
Is PUC Mandatory for Car Insurance?
Now that we have learned about what PUC is, how to get PUC online and what are the permissible emission levels, let us move to another practical aspect of having a valid PUC.
As per the rule made by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), every bike or owner must have a valid PUC while renewing their bike or
car insurance.
The initiative was taken in collaboration with the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) to reduce the rising pollution levels and ensure a healthy living environment. Thus, IRDAI issued a circular to make it mandatory for vehicle owners to have a PUC certificate to
renew their car insurance online.
To continue benefiting from your car insurance, which provides all-round protection, ensure that your PUC certificate is still valid and has an effective expiry date.
Conclusion
Ensuring that your vehicle has a valid PUC certificate is essential to fulfil both legal and environmental compliance. This certificate verifies that your vehicle’s emissions are within the permissible limits.
With the emergence of online processes, getting a PUC certificate of a vehicle has become more convenient. You can easily download your certificate, check its validity and application status, and complete the payment process online in a few steps.
However, remember that a valid PUC is essential to renew your car or bike insurance to avoid penalties. To ensure comprehensive protection, insure your vehicle with Reliance General Insurance’s car or two-wheeler insurance.
With us, you can benefit from easy online buying, claiming and renewal processes, cashless repair, 24X7 customer support and a wide range of add-ons. By choosing the policy that best suits you, you can be assured of an easy claim process and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply for a new PUC certificate if I’m travelling to another state?
No, you do not need to apply for a new certificate. As long as your existing PUC certificate is active, it is valid across all states of India.
What are the other mandatory documents required to carry while driving?
In addition to the PUC certificate, you are mandated to carry valid car insurance, a driving licence and a vehicle registration certificate.
Can I renew the PUC certificate for my vehicle before its expiration date?
Yes. In fact, it is advisable to renew it beforehand, as an expired PUC certificate can result in penalties.
