Delhi Vehicle Entry Ban from November 1: Non-BS6 Cars Not Allowed under GRAP

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.

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

1. Vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS6 norms are not allowed into the city from 1 November 2026 to 31 January 2027.
2. Buses of BS-IV or older standard coming in from the NCR and neighbouring states are now stopped at Stage I itself.
3. The Stage III restriction on BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel cars has been widened to include Sonipat.
4. 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.

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.

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.

Related Reads:
GRAP Explained: How It Affects Your Car
How to Check if Your Car Is BS4 or BS6 Compliant
PUC Certificate Online: Fees, Validity & How to Download
Delhi's 'No Fuel for Old Vehicles' Policy: How It Impacts You and the Market
Driving Without PUC Challan in Delhi

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