Delhi air pollution: No pollution certificate, no fuel, no entry; new rule for older vehicles begins today

As winter sets in and pollution levels climb, authorities have once again tightened rules around vehicles, which remain one of the city’s biggest contributors to poor air quality. From 18 December 2025, new pollution rules have come into force that directly affect car owners, especially those driving older vehicles. Vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control certificate will not be allowed to refuel, and high-emission older cars are being restricted from operating on Delhi’s roads. These measures aim to discourage neglectful maintenance, push cleaner transport choices, and reduce seasonal smog impacts on public health nationwide.

The new measures have been implemented under directions issued by the Commission for Air Quality Management, a statutory government body responsible for coordinating pollution control efforts in Delhi and the surrounding region. Acting under the Graded Response Action Plan, the commission has asked enforcement agencies to strictly curb vehicular emissions as air quality slips into severe categories.

What the no PUC, no fuel rule means for car owners in Delhi

Fuel stations in Delhi have been directed to deny petrol and diesel to vehicles that do not have a valid Pollution Under Control certificate. Drivers are required to carry a current PUC certificate when refuelling. Vehicles without a valid certificate may be refused fuel at the pump. This requirement applies to all vehicles operating within the city limits. As a result, car owners must ensure that their PUC certificates are renewed within the prescribed validity period to continue refuelling and operating their vehicles.

How old vehicles are being restricted under the new pollution rules

Delhi has also tightened entry for older petrol and diesel vehicles that fall outside the current Bharat Stage VI emission standards. Many cars registered years ago are now barred from entering the city during periods of severe pollution. This affects not just vehicles coming in from neighbouring cities, but also older vehicles already registered within Delhi. Border checkpoints and internal patrols are being used to identify and turn back non-compliant cars, especially during peak pollution days.

Penalties and checks under Delhi’s new pollution rules

Traffic police and transport department teams are carrying out spot checks, often using digital records and camera systems to verify PUC status and vehicle age. Vehicles found in violation may be denied entry, fined, or directed off the road altogether.

How do these pollution rules affect daily travel in Delhi

The effects of the new pollution rules are being observed across the city. Some owners of older vehicles are adjusting their travel arrangements by using public transport, shared mobility services, or app-based taxi services. Other vehicle owners are renewing their Pollution Under Control certificates to ensure continued access to fuel stations. Authorities have stated that these measures are intended to operate during periods of severe air pollution to limit vehicle-related emissions.


Delhi’s air pollution is influenced by a combination of local emission sources, regional factors, and weather conditions. Vehicle emissions are among the sources that can be regulated immediately during periods of deteriorating air quality. As a result, measures such as the no PUC, no fuel rule and restrictions on older vehicles are implemented during high pollution episodes. The current pollution rules require vehicle owners to comply with emission standards and documentation requirements to continue operating their vehicles within the city.Discover everything about the automotive world at Times of India.