Vehicles in Uttar Pradesh that don’t have a High-Security Registration Plate (HSRP) will not be able to get a PUCC after April 16, 2026. Know how to apply for HSRP and check to see if your car is eligible to avoid the 15,000 dual punishment.
If you own or drive a car registered in the state of Uttar Pradesh, you need to know about a big change in the way the state police keep your car legal by making sure it gets the right certifications and care. There is now a strong link between the hardware (license plates) on a car and its environmental approval, thanks to a decision made by the UP State Transport Department. This means that many drivers will not be able to properly drive their cars if they don’t follow the new rules.
No HSRP and no PUCC: The deadline is coming up
Starting April 16, 2026, the UP State Transport Department’s new rules say that cars without a high-security registration plate (HSRP) will not be able to get a pollution under control certificate (PUCC). The UP State Transport Department is making changes to the way people apply for a PUCC online so that the system will only accept cars that have been verified with a HSRP. If the license plate on your car is out of date, your application for a pollution certificate will be turned down. This means that you cannot drive that car on any public road.
The transport department has linked the PUC portal to HSRP data through the National Informatics Center. This makes sure that only vehicles with authorised plates will be given pollution certificates, so people who want to legally drive or deal with their vehicles can’t avoid following the rules.
The move comes after years of slow progress, even with many campaigns to raise awareness. Many cars registered before April 1, 2019, still do not have HSRPs installed.
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How much of a fine is possible?
If your car doesn’t have PUCC, you could get a ticket for about ₹1,000 the first time and up to ₹2,000 if you do it again. On the other hand, when rules are very strict, the fine can go up to ₹10,000. On top of that, if you don’t have HSRP, you might have to pay a different fine, which could add to the total cost.Exceptions: Exempt cars (iconic or no longer made types)
The UP State Transport Department has put out a full list of exceptions to this rule so that people who own or take care of classic cars or models that have been taken off the market don’t have to worry about getting the HSRP. The people who own the cars on this list do not need to have a HSRP on their cars in order to keep getting a PUCC for them.
How to get your high-security number plate number
If drivers don’t want to wait a long time or be fined more, they need to get their high-security registration plates (HSRPs) right away. To get a HSRP, the process has been streamlined and can now be done through an online site.
1. Login online: Go to www.bookmyhsrp.com
2. Enter information about your vehicle. You need to enter your VIN, model number, and engine specs.
3. Set up an appointment: Choose a time that works best for you and an authorised dealer or service place.
4. Have the HSRP installed: Return to the authorised dealer or installation place at the time they told you to have the HSRP installed by a professional.
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Why is this rule important?
HSRPs are linked to Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) so that the government can better keep track of vehicles and hold the owner of a vehicle accountable for any future air quality problems that are caused by that vehicle. In the state of Uttar Pradesh, the Indian government has fined people for using a cause of action without a legal PUCC. If you want to keep using a car in India after making a digital registration, you have to make sure that it meets current safety and/or emission standards.
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