Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has revised the fees for Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates with immediate effect, increasing the charge for two-wheelers and three-wheelers to ₹80 and fixing a uniform ₹200 fee for all diesel vehicles, officials said on Saturday.
Revised rates and scope
Only authorised computerised pollution testing centres will be permitted to collect the newly prescribed charges, which apply solely to emission testing and not to any other services, the Transport and Road Safety Commissioner has said, according to reported government orders. The updated schedule sets the price for petrol, LPG and CNG four-wheelers at ₹150.
| Vehicle category | Revised fee |
|---|---|
| Two-wheelers | ₹80 |
| Three-wheelers | ₹80 |
| Petrol/LPG/CNG four-wheelers | ₹150 |
| All diesel vehicles | ₹200 |
Why the hike — industry representations
The change follows a proposal submitted by the Transport and Road Safety Commissioner after representations from the Karnataka State Emission Testing Centers Owner’s Association, which highlighted rising operational expenses. The association cited increased outlays on fuel and consumables, rent, internet charges, equipment upkeep, printer cartridges, electricity and staff wages as reasons for seeking higher fees.
New compliance conditions for testing centres
The government has attached several operational conditions to the revised fee structure. Testing centres authorised to issue PUC certificates must adhere to the following requirements:
- Employ trained personnel for conducting emission tests;
- Periodically recalibrate gas analysers and prominently display the date and validity of the last calibration;
- Generate certificates through computer systems only; handwritten entries on certificates are not permitted;
- Issue certificates only to vehicles that meet the prescribed emission norms;
- Maintain adequate space for testing and for any required maintenance activities;
- Display their licence conspicuously at the centre premises;
- Affix the prescribed sticker to vehicles that have been tested and ensure online-issued certificates carry a hologram.
Validity and enforcement
Under the revised rules, PUC certificates issued to vehicles conforming to Bharat Stage-IV and Bharat Stage-VI norms will be valid for 12 months from the date of issue. The government has warned that licences of centres found violating statutory provisions or licence conditions may be suspended or cancelled, signalling stricter enforcement of emission testing protocols.
Local impact and practical implications
The fee increase will affect millions of vehicle owners across Karnataka, particularly two-wheeler users who make up a large portion of the state's registered vehicles. Motorists visiting authorised centres for emission checks should expect only computer-generated certificates and may be asked to verify the calibration date displayed at the facility. Owners of older diesel vehicles, often subject to tighter scrutiny, will face the highest single-test charge under the new rates.
Regulatory context
PUC testing is a statutory requirement intended to check vehicular emissions and curb air pollution. By limiting authorised centres to computerised systems and mandating periodic equipment calibration, the state aims to standardise testing and reduce instances of fraudulent or improperly conducted tests. The hologram requirement for online certificates is intended to strengthen authentication and prevent forgery.
What vehicle owners should do
Vehicle owners are advised to:
- Use authorised, computerised pollution testing centres only;
- Check for displayed calibration dates, licence display and the prescribed sticker after the test;
- Retain the computer-generated certificate as proof of compliance; online certificates will carry holograms for verification.
The Transport and Road Safety Commissioner’s office and the Karnataka State Emission Testing Centers Owner’s Association were cited in reports outlining the fee revision and related conditions.
This policy change comes amid broader efforts by state governments to address urban air quality and to ensure robust compliance with vehicle emission standards.
