Vehicles registered outside Delhi can no longer enter the national capital unless they meet BS6 emission norms or run on CNG or electricity. The restriction came into force on 1 November and will remain in place until 31 January 2027 under the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the region’s winter pollution control framework.
The rule directly affects commuters who drive into Delhi from Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Sonipat in older petrol and diesel cars. Delhi-registered vehicles are outside the scope of the entry ban, though they face separate curbs if the city’s air quality worsens further.
Quick Summary
- Non-BS6 vehicles registered outside Delhi cannot enter the city from 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027.
- BS6, CNG, electric and emergency vehicles are allowed; vehicles without a valid PUC are stopped.
- The rule is part of CAQM’s revised GRAP. Delhi has been under Stage I since 21 October.
- Delhi-registered BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel cars face curbs only at Stage III and IV.
Table of Contents
What Changed
GRAP is a four-stage set of emergency measures that tightens as the Air Quality Index (AQI) rises. It is run by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the statutory body for air quality in Delhi-NCR.
At a meeting on 28 September 2026, CAQM approved a revised version of the plan, moving several measures from Stage II (“Very Poor” air) to Stage I (“Poor” air). Delhi entered Stage I on 21 October, so the tighter rules are already active.
Major Changes for Vehicle Owners
- Vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS6 norms are not allowed into the city from 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027.
- Buses of BS-IV or older standard coming in from the NCR and neighbouring states are now stopped at Stage I itself.
- The Stage III restriction on BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel cars has been widened to include Sonipat.
- Older BS-IV goods carriers no longer get an exemption for carrying essential items when Stage III or IV is in force.
What does BS6 Mean
BS6, or Bharat Stage VI, is India’s current and strictest emission standard, in force since 1 April 2020, so most cars registered after that date qualify. Owners can confirm their car’s norm on the registration certificate (RC) or the VAHAN portal. Every vehicle must also carry a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, issued after a short emission test, or it can be stopped even if it is BS6.
Delhi-Registered Cars and the Higher GRAP Stages
The entry ban applies only to vehicles with registrations from outside Delhi. A car with a Delhi number plate can continue to run under Stage I and Stage II, whatever its emission norm.
The position changes as pollution worsens. Each GRAP stage adds to the curbs of the one before it, as set out below.
| Stage | Air quality (AQI) | What it means for vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Stage I | Poor (201 to 300) | Outside-registered non-BS6 vehicles cannot enter Delhi till 31 January 2027. BS-IV and older buses from the NCR are kept out. PUC checks are stepped up. |
| Stage II | Very Poor (301 to 400) | Stage I curbs continue. Authorities may raise parking charges and add more public transport. |
| Stage III | Severe (401 to 450) | BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel four-wheelers cannot run in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar and Sonipat. Diesel BS-IV light and medium goods vehicles from outside Delhi are kept out, even with essential goods. |
| Stage IV | Severe+ (above 450) | Trucks carrying non-essential goods are stopped. BS-IV and older trucks are kept out even if they carry essential goods. |
How the Rule Is Being Enforced
Delhi Traffic Police teams at the entry points are checking each vehicle’s registration, emission standard and PUC, supported by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras that flag non-compliant vehicles from their number plates.
On 27 October, three FIRs were registered against commercial vehicles allegedly using forged no-entry permits. Driving without a valid PUC can attract a fine of up to Rs 10,000 under the Motor Vehicles Act. The traffic police helplines are 011-25844444 and 1095.
| Can enter | Will be stopped |
|---|---|
| BS6 petrol and diesel cars | Non-BS6 vehicles with non-Delhi registration |
| CNG vehicles | Any vehicle without a valid PUC |
| Electric vehicles | Interstate buses that do not meet the norms |
| Ambulances, fire tenders and other exempt vehicles | Trucks only passing through Delhi |
| Tractors and jugaad vehicles, where the rule applies |
What It Means for Car Owners
Owners of older NCR-registered cars will need to plan for the next three months, with the Delhi Metro and carpooling in BS6 vehicles as the most practical alternatives. Owners of BS6 cars should keep their PUC valid, as an expired certificate is enough to be turned back.
With GRAP tightening each winter, a vehicle’s emission norm now matters as much as its price for NCR commuters. Buyers replacing an older car can explore BS6, CNG and electric options among Spinny’s used cars in Delhi NCR.
FAQs
Q. Can a BS4 car from Noida or Gurugram enter Delhi now?
Under the revised GRAP rules, non-BS6 vehicles registered outside Delhi cannot enter the city from 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027, unless they run on CNG or electricity or hold an official exemption.
Q. Is a Delhi-registered BS4 car allowed to run during GRAP?
Under Stage I and Stage II they are allowed, A Delhi-registered BS4 diesel or BS3 petrol car is restricted only when Stage III or Stage IV is imposed.
Q. Are CNG and electric cars allowed in Delhi under GRAP?
CNG and electric vehicles can enter and run in Delhi at every GRAP stage, provided CNG cars carry a valid PUC certificate.
Q. Which GRAP stage is currently active in Delhi?
Delhi has been under GRAP Stage I since 21 October 2026. CAQM can change the stage at short notice depending on the AQI.
Q. What is the fine for driving without a PUC certificate in Delhi?
Driving without a valid PUC certificate in Delhi can attract a fine of up to Rs 10,000 under the Motor Vehicles Act, and the vehicle may be stopped at the city’s entry points.
