Supreme Court reinstates ban on BS3 and older vehicles in Delhi-NCR

In a bid to restrict the ongoing air pollution dilemma in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court has ended the protection it granted to vehicles with Bharat Stage 3 (BS3) or older emissions certification. While the ruling effectively bans these vehicles in the National Capital Region, those adhering to BS4 certification (or above) remain unaffected.

1. Supreme Court temporarily allowed BS3 (and older) vehicles to ply in August 2025.
2. Latest ruling follows the Commission for Air Quality Management’s recommendation.

Supreme Court bans BS3 and older vehicles in Delhi-NCR

During a hearing on rising air pollution in the national capital and its surrounding regions, Aishwarya Bhati, Additional Solicitor General, implored the court to reinstate the ban it had previously lifted on older vehicles (BS3 or lower emissions standards) in August 2025. The Supreme Court’s latest ruling, whose bench was led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, now follows the recommendations of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). 

The government body noticed a noticeable uptick in air pollution following the apex court’s August 2025 decision, which barred authorities from taking any stringent action on vehicles with BS3 or older emissions standards operating in Delhi-NCR. Meanwhile, the apex court’s latest ruling has no bearing on vehicles that are BS4-certified (or newer).