Supreme Court PUC Case: A new legal dispute has emerged in Delhi-NCR regarding 10-year-old diesel vehicles. The owner of a luxury Volvo XC60 has approached the Supreme Court. He claims that despite his BS-IV diesel car worth approximately Rs 70 lakh passing the pollution test, a PUC certificate is not being issued. It is alleged that the PUC center’s software refuses to issue the certificate based solely on the vehicle’s age. Now, the Supreme Court will hear this matter, which is expected to bring relief to thousands of vehicle owners.
What is the whole matter?
The petitioner, a resident of Delhi, owns a 2016 model BS-IV Volvo XC60. He claims his car complies with all prescribed pollution standards. The PUC certificate issued in November 2025 was valid until February 25, 2026, but as soon as the vehicle completed 10 years, a new certificate was refused. The car owner says that withholding the PUC solely based on the vehicle’s age, when it has passed the emission test, is unreasonable. Because of this, he is facing difficulties refueling at many petrol pumps.
What did the Supreme Court say earlier?
Regarding this, on 10 October 2018, the Supreme Court had ordered a ban on the operation of 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles. But later on 12 August 2025, the court granted interim relief on this order, saying that strict action will not be taken against the owners merely on the basis of the age of the vehicle. After this, on 17 December 2025, the court amended its order and clarified that coercive action will not be taken against 10-year-old diesel and 15-year-old petrol vehicles with BS-IV or better emission standards.
Still why am I not getting PUC?
The real problem in this case is said to be the PUC center’s software. Vehicle owners allege that the system still operates according to old rules and refuses to issue a PUC certificate once the vehicle reaches the prescribed age limit, even if the vehicle passes the pollution test. Meanwhile, the Delhi government has made a valid PUC certificate mandatory for refueling starting December 17, 2025. Consequently, vehicles without PUCs are facing difficulties getting fuel at many petrol pumps.
Now, only after the hearing in the Supreme Court in this matter, it will be clear what will be the final status on the PUC rules for 10 year old diesel and 15 year old petrol vehicles.