The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has drafted a gazette notification planning to enforce BS-VII emission standards for new cars and SUVs beginning April 1, 2029. This marks the next significant tightening of India’s vehicle pollution controls, moving beyond the current BS-VI regime that has been in force since April 2020.
The rollout will not happen overnight. MoRTH outlined a three-phase implementation schedule spanning six years: Phase 1 kicks off in April 2029, Phase 2 in April 2031, and the final phase in April 2035. Each stage introduces stricter ceilings for harmful pollutants, specifically targeting nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM).
Critically, the new norms apply only to vehicles manufactured after the respective phase dates. Existing cars, including those already sold under BS-VI standards, will continue to operate without restriction. The ministry clarified that these changes do not alter the lifespan or legal status of current vehicles, easing fears among consumers about immediate vehicle devaluation.
India’s Bharat Stage standards have historically aligned with European emission benchmarks, with the country skipping BS-V to jump straight to BS-VI in 2020 to accelerate pollution reduction. The upcoming BS-VII rules will demand even lower emissions, requiring manufacturers to upgrade engine technology and aftertreatment systems well before the 2029 deadline.
Automotive industry leaders are expected to respond to the draft notification in the coming weeks, with compliance costs and supply chain adjustments likely to shape the final pricing of next-generation vehicles. The ministry will finalize the gazette notification after a public consultation period, setting the definitive regulatory framework for India’s cleanest vehicle fleet to date.