From November 1, 2026, driving, refuelling, parking and even going to the office in Delhi will work differently for the next few months. The Delhi government’s Winter Action Plan, announced by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on October 20, brings a set of restrictions meant to cut vehicle pollution before the capital’s worst smog season. Separate directions from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) also tighten entry for commercial vehicles and buses from the same date.
Here is what changes, who is exempt, and what you should check this week if you live in or travel to Delhi.
The main changes at a glance
| Rule | Period | Who is exempt |
|---|---|---|
| Entry ban on non-BS6 vehicles registered outside Delhi | Nov 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 | Electric and CNG vehicles; ambulances, fire services and other essential-service vehicles |
| “No PUC, No Fuel”: no petrol, diesel, CNG or LPG without a valid PUC certificate | From Nov 1, 2026 | None reported |
| Parking charges doubled at authorised parking lots | Nov 1, 2026 – Feb 28, 2027 | Electric vehicles; DMRC (Delhi Metro) parking |
| Offices limited to 50% physical attendance, staggered timings | Nov 1, 2026 – Jan 31, 2027 | As per the official notification |
1. Entry ban on older vehicles from outside Delhi
Vehicles registered outside Delhi that do not meet BS6 (Bharat Stage VI) emission norms will not be allowed to enter the city from November 1 until January 31, 2027, according to reports on the Winter Action Plan. Electric and CNG vehicles are exempt, as are emergency and essential-service vehicles.
If you commute daily from Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, Faridabad or elsewhere in the NCR in an older petrol or diesel car, this is the rule most likely to affect you.
How to check if your vehicle is BS6
- Look at your registration certificate (RC). Many RCs show the emission norm directly.
- Check the date of registration. BS6 became mandatory for new vehicles sold and registered in India from April 1, 2020, so vehicles registered after that date are generally BS6.
- Search your registration number on the Parivahan / VAHAN portal, which lists the vehicle’s fuel and emission details.
2. “No PUC, No Fuel” at petrol pumps
Fuel stations across Delhi will refuse petrol, diesel, CNG and LPG to vehicles that don’t have a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate. This applies to Delhi vehicles as well as those coming from outside.
Driving without a valid PUC is already an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act and can attract a fine of up to ₹10,000. The new rule makes enforcement much more direct, because you won’t be able to refuel.
What to do now: check the expiry date on your PUC certificate (you can look it up on the Parivahan website using your registration number) and renew it at an authorised testing centre before November 1. The test takes a few minutes and costs little.
3. Parking will cost twice as much
Charges at authorised parking sites will double from November 1, 2026 to February 28, 2027. Electric vehicles and parking run by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) are exempt. The goal is to push people towards the Metro and buses, and to make “park and ride” at Metro stations the cheaper option.
4. Half the office at work, half at home
Government and private offices are to limit physical attendance to 50% from November 1 to January 31, 2027, with the rest working from home. Office timings are also being staggered to spread out peak-hour traffic. Reports say Municipal Corporation of Delhi offices will work from 8:30 am to 5 pm, and Delhi government offices from 10 am to 6:30 pm.
If you work in Delhi, check with your HR team how your company plans to implement the rule.
Commercial vehicles and buses: the CAQM rules
Alongside the city’s plan, CAQM directions taking effect from November 1, 2026 tighten entry for commercial traffic:
- Commercial goods vehicles registered outside Delhi must be BS-VI compliant to enter. A transition period that allowed BS-IV goods vehicles ended on October 31, 2026. Delhi-registered goods vehicles and those running on CNG, LNG or electricity are exempt.
- Only CNG, electric or BS-VI diesel buses may enter Delhi from November 1, 2026, under a CAQM order issued in 2025.
Transporters and inter-state bus operators should confirm their fleet’s compliance before the deadline. Restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) can also apply on top of these rules when air quality worsens.
Why Delhi is doing this
Every winter, falling temperatures and slow winds trap pollutants close to the ground, and Delhi’s air quality regularly slips into the “very poor” and “severe” range. Vehicle exhaust is one of the largest local sources of pollution the city can control directly, which is why most of these measures target cars, trucks and traffic.
Your checklist before November 1
- Check whether your car or two-wheeler is BS6, especially if it’s registered outside Delhi.
- Renew your PUC certificate if it has expired or is about to.
- If your vehicle isn’t allowed in, plan your commute by Metro, bus or carpool.
- Ask your employer about the 50% work-from-home schedule.
- Transport businesses: confirm that trucks and buses meet the BS-VI, CNG or electric requirement.
The details above are based on official announcements as reported by the media. Rules can be modified by the Delhi government, CAQM or the courts, so check the Delhi Transport Department and CAQM websites for the latest official notifications.
Sources
- Business Standard: Delhi pollution curbs from November 1: what changes and who is exempt
- CarLelo: Delhi vehicle ban from November 1
- The Tribune: Delhi to bar entry of non-BS-VI commercial vehicles registered outside the city
- ThePrint: Buses on polluting fuels banned from entering Delhi from November 2026
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