A primer on implementation of the in-use emission norms as amended by the Union Government in February 2004

The vehicle inspection programme in India called Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificate, was enforced under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMV rule No 116) in 1991. This requires all inuse vehicles to undergo periodic exhaust emission tests and obtain valid PUC certificate. The current programme has two elements – annual fitness certificate programme and exhaust emissions tests for commercial vehicles and periodic exhaust emissions test of personal vehicles. While the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) in different states are responsible for conducting the annual fitness and emissions tests for the commercial vehicles, privately run PUC centres authorised by the RTA undertake emission check for personal vehicles.