PUC (Pollution) Certificate in Uttar Pradesh 2026: Price by Vehicle, Validity, Documents & Where to Get One Near You

A PUC (Pollution Under Control) certificate is mandatory for every vehicle in Uttar Pradesh under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. It costs roughly ₹60–₹120 depending on vehicle and fuel type, is valid for 12 months for BS-IV/BS-VI vehicles (6 months for older vehicles), and is issued on the spot at authorised PUC centres at petrol pumps and testing stations across UP – Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Varanasi, Meerut and every district. Below: the price table, validity rules, documents, how to find a centre near you, how to download the certificate online and the penalty for driving without one.

[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER – Infographic: PUC certificate fees and validity in Uttar Pradesh by vehicle type]
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What is a PUC certificate?

The PUC certificate confirms that a vehicle's exhaust emissions (carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and, for diesel, smoke density) are within the limits set under Rule 115 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. In UP the certificate is issued by centres authorised by the Transport Department (UP Parivahan) and is recorded in the national Vahan database, so a valid certificate can be verified online by traffic police and insurers.

PUC certificate price in Uttar Pradesh (2026)

Fees are notified by the state transport department and can vary slightly by district and centre; a centre charging far above these figures should be reported to the RTO. Electric vehicles do not need a PUC certificate.

PUC certificate validity in UP

Documents required for a PUC test

• Vehicle Registration Certificate (RC) – original or DigiLocker copy
• Previous PUC certificate (if renewing)
• The vehicle itself, warmed up, for the tail-pipe test

No application form is needed; the operator enters the registration number, runs the analyser and prints the certificate with a QR code.

[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER – Screenshot: downloading a PUC certificate from puc.parivahan.gov.in]
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How to get a PUC certificate in UP: step by step

1. Find an authorised centre – see the district list below or search "PUC" on the Parivahan portal's centre locator.
2. Drive in and hand over the RC; the operator enters your registration number in the Vahan-linked PUC software.
3. Emission test – a probe in the exhaust measures CO and HC (petrol/CNG/LPG) or smoke density (diesel), taking 2–5 minutes.
4. Pay the fee (cash/UPI) and collect the printed certificate.
5. Download the digital copy from puc.parivahan.gov.in or the mParivahan / DigiLocker app whenever needed.

Where to get a PUC certificate near you in Uttar Pradesh

Authorised PUC centres operate at most fuel stations and at RTO-approved testing stations. Typical locations by district:

Use the "PUC Centre" search on parivahan.gov.in (Vahan → PUCC → Centre list, select Uttar Pradesh and district) for the current authorised list with addresses.

How to download your PUC certificate online

1. Go to puc.parivahan.gov.in (or open mParivahan).
2. Click "PUC Certificate", enter the vehicle registration number and the last five characters of the chassis number.
3. Enter the captcha and click "PUC Details".
4. Download or print the certificate; the QR code links to the Vahan record.

Penalty for no PUC certificate in Uttar Pradesh

Driving without a valid PUC attracts a challan under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act (as amended in 2019) – up to ₹10,000 and/or imprisonment up to six months for the first offence, with higher penalties for repeat offences, and possible suspension of the driving licence. Insurers are also required by IRDAI to check PUC validity at policy renewal, so an expired certificate can delay your insurance.

Emission limits tested

• Petrol / CNG / LPG: carbon monoxide (% vol) and hydrocarbons (ppm) at idle; BS-IV/BS-VI limits are tighter than BS-III.
• Diesel: smoke density (light absorption, per metre) under free acceleration.

A well-serviced vehicle passes easily; failure usually points to a worn catalytic converter, clogged air filter or injector problems.

Pollution compliance for businesses: beyond PUC

If you run a fleet, a transport business, a factory or a petrol pump in UP, PUC is only one obligation. Instacertify helps with Consent to Operate (CTO) and Consent to Establish from UPPCB, hazardous-waste and EPR registrations, environmental testing through ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs, and MoEF licences. Contact us for a free consultation on your environmental compliance.