In a significant move aimed at curbing malpractices and tackling air pollution, the Indian government is set to put an end to the dubious practice of obtaining fitness certificates, including Pollution Under Control (PUC), via home delivery without physically presenting the vehicle for inspection. A new draft notification from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways proposes sweeping changes to motor vehicle rules, making automated testing mandatory for private vehicles as well.
Automated Testing Becomes Mandatory for All
The draft rules propose that private vehicles will now need to undergo mandatory fitness and pollution tests at government-approved Automated Test Stations (ATS), a requirement already in place for commercial vehicles. This shift is designed to bring transparency and accuracy to the vehicle fitness certification process, which has long been plagued by corruption and fake certificates.
Currently, there are over 160 operational ATS centres across India. The new mandate means owners of private vehicles older than 15 years—for whom a fitness certificate is compulsory for registration renewal and subsequently every five years—will have to visit these centres.
Geo-Tagged Video & Strict Timelines Introduced
To ensure the authenticity of the test, the ministry has introduced a robust digital verification step. The draft notification states that an authorised testing station or inspecting officer must upload a minimum 10-second geo-tagged video of the vehicle during the fitness test before issuing any certificate.
This video must clearly capture the vehicle from all angles—front, rear, left, and right—ensuring the registration number plate, chassis number, engine number, and key vehicle features are visible. This measure is a direct attempt to eliminate fraudulent practices and create an auditable trail.
Crackdown on Delays and "End of Life" Classification
The proposed norms also introduce stricter timelines to prevent owners from indefinitely delaying the process after a vehicle fails. According to the draft, if a vehicle is not declared 'fit' within 180 days from the date it is first deemed 'unfit', it will be classified as an 'End of Life Vehicle (ELV)'.
This ELV status will be flagged in the national Vahan database, effectively marking the vehicle for scrapping. Officials highlighted that previously, owners could easily extend this deadline by merely paying fees before the 180-day period expired. "That won't be possible anymore. They need to get the fitness certificate within 180 days from the day of the first failed test," a government official explained.
The official further added that sufficient safeguards are being implemented to ensure that no ATS can provide incorrect test results, thereby upholding the integrity of the entire system. This reform is seen as a crucial step in India's broader fight against vehicular pollution and improving road safety by ensuring only roadworthy vehicles are in circulation.
