Context
- The Union Government has launched the PARIVARTAN Scheme to replace over 2 lakh old trucks and buses registered in Delhi-NCR with BS-VI/stricter emission-compliant or electric vehicles, addressing vehicular air pollution from ageing commercial vehicles.
About PARIVARTAN Scheme
- Full Form: Programme for Accelerated Renewal and Incentivization of Vehicle Assets for Reducing Transport Air Pollution and Network Emissions.
- Approved: 3 June 2026 by the Union Cabinet.
- Duration: Two-year enrolment/implementation framework.
- Target: About 2.07 lakh vehicles — 1.91 lakh trucks and 16,329 buses.
- Coverage: Delhi and NCR districts of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
- Outlay: ₹9,585 crores, including ₹5,041 crore Central Government support.
- Funding: Through National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB) under MoHUA.
- Implementation: Primarily by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), with participating governments and MoPNG.
Who is Eligible?
- Vehicles registered in Delhi-NCR conforming to BS-IV or earlier emission norms.
- They can be replaced with BS-VI/stricter-compliant or electric vehicles.
- BS-III and older vehicles: Scrapping at authorised scrapping facilities is mandatory.
- BS-IV vehicles: May be scrapped or sold outside NCR in eligible non-NCAP areas.
- Government vehicles are excluded.
Special Provisions for Delhi
- Light Goods Vehicles: New vehicles purchased under the scheme must be electric.
- Buses: Must be BS-VI CNG or electric.
Major Incentives
- 5% interest subvention on vehicle loans for 5 years.
- Up to ₹4,800/month fuel vouchers for eligible BS-VI diesel/CNG vehicles.
- ₹64,000–₹2.56 lakh one-time incentive for eligible EV purchases.
- At least 8% OEM discount on ex-showroom price.
- Registration-fee waiver and motor-vehicle tax concessions by participating States.
- Benefits are delivered through an integrated digital platform linked with systems such as VAHAN and vehicle-scrapping platforms.
Why to Focus on Trucks and Buses?
- Ageing commercial vehicles are significant sources of particulate matter, NOx and other air pollutants. Replacing them can simultaneously address:
- Old high-emission fleet → Fleet modernisation → Lower vehicular emissions → Better NCR air quality
Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Norms
- BS norms regulate permissible emissions from motor vehicles in India.
- They prescribe limits for pollutants such as particulate matter, NOx, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.
- BS-VI is India’s current nationwide emission standard for new vehicles.
- India moved directly from BS-IV to BS-VI in 2020, skipping BS-V.
| Important CTC from this article for UPSC Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Norms |
Q. With reference to the PARIVARTAN scheme, consider the following statements:
I. The scheme seeks to replace over two lakh trucks and buses conforming to BS-IV or older emission norms in Delhi and select NCR districts within one year.
II. The scheme is funded through the National Capital Region Planning Board under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
III. Trucks and buses contribute about 36% of vehicular PM2.5 emissions in the Delhi-NCR region despite forming only 3.1% of the total vehicle fleet.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a. I and II only
b. I and III only
c. II and III only
d. I, II and III
Answer: b. I and III only
Explanation
Statement I is Correct: PARIVARTAN seeks to replace more than two lakh trucks and buses registered in Delhi and the NCR districts of Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh that conform to BS-IV or older norms, within one year.
Statement II is Incorrect: The scheme is funded through the National Capital Region Planning Board under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, though it is implemented by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
Statement III is Correct: Officials stated that trucks and buses form only 3.1% of the region's total vehicle fleet but account for 36% of vehicular PM2.5 emissions.