The Supreme Court (SC) has modified its previous order regarding "end-of-life" vehicles in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), clarifying that only vehicles compliant with BS IV and BS VI emission norms will be exempt from coercive action, even if they are older than 10 years (for diesel) and 15 years (for petrol). This ruling effectively ends the protection previously granted to vehicles with BS-III and older emission standards.

The decision, delivered on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, by a bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M Pancholi, comes in response to an application by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). The CAQM had urged the court to review its August 12 order, which had barred coercive measures against owners of vehicles meeting the age criteria, regardless of emission standards. The commission argued that the previous order allowed highly polluting vehicles back on the roads, undermining efforts to improve air quality in Delhi-NCR.

Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the CAQM, presented data highlighting the significant pollution caused by older vehicles. According to the CAQM, a BS I diesel vehicle produces substantially more carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM) compared to a BS IV compliant diesel vehicle. The CAQM emphasized that BS-III and older vehicles should be excluded from the August 12 order due to their high emission potential compared to BS-VI emission standards.

The Supreme Court's decision means that authorities in Delhi-NCR can now take action against vehicles below BS-IV emission standards, regardless of their age. This may include impounding vehicles found operating on roads in the region. The move is expected to impact a significant number of vehicles, including BS I, BS II, and BS III compliant cars, three-wheelers, two-wheelers, buses, and goods carriers.

The court is actively addressing Delhi's worsening air pollution, with air quality remaining in the "severe" category in several parts of the NCR. In addition to the vehicle restrictions, the Delhi government is implementing other measures to combat pollution, including:

• A 50% work-from-home policy for Delhi offices to reduce road traffic.
• Strict enforcement of Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates, with a "No PUC, No Fuel" policy where petrol pumps deny service to vehicles without valid certificates starting December 18.
• A ban on trucks carrying construction materials into the capital.
• Appealing to visitors to use only BS6-compliant vehicles to enter the city.

The Supreme Court also addressed the impact of construction bans on workers, directing the Delhi government to verify affected workers and ensure direct transfer of funds to their bank accounts. The court emphasized the importance of ensuring the funds reach the intended recipients and suggested considering alternative work for affected laborers. The government reported that approximately 7,000 construction workers out of nearly 250,000 affected have been verified, with payments to be made directly to their accounts.