Why in the News?
To align India’s automobile sector with global standards, the government is planning to introduce BS VII emission norms by 2026-27.
About BS7 Norms:
- Overview: India’s equivalent of Euro 7 emission standards, aimed at reducing vehicular pollution and aligning with global benchmarks.
- Coverage: Applies uniformly to cars, vans, buses, trucks, petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric vehicles.
- On-Board Monitoring (OBM): New system to monitor tailpipe emissions in real time, covering NOx, ammonia, PM, engine gases.
- Non-Exhaust Regulation: First-time regulation of brake dust (PM) and tyre microplastics.
- EV Standards: Introduces battery safety, durability, and longevity index to lower raw material use and build consumer confidence.
- Digital Safeguards: Ensures vehicles are not tampered with and remain within emission limits.
- Testing Scope: Expands checks to real driving conditions beyond lab-based cycles.
Key Differences: BS6 vs BS7
- OBD vs OBM: BS6 used On-Board Diagnostics (OBD); BS7 brings OBM for direct emission monitoring.
- NOx Standards: BS6 allowed 60 mg/km petrol, 80 mg/km diesel; BS7 sets uniform 60 mg/km.
- Coverage: BS6 regulated exhaust only; BS7 adds non-exhaust (brakes, tyres).
- EV Inclusion: BS6 ignored EVs; BS7 regulates battery life, safety, and replacement cycles.
- Testing: BS6 relied on defined test cycles; BS7 uses broader real-world conditions.
- Technology Push: BS7 compels automakers towards advanced emission-control systems and turbo, direct-injection engines.
- Cost Factor: BS7 compliance raises vehicle costs; some older models may be discontinued.
History of Emission Norms in India:
| Year / Period | Key Development |
| 1991 | Mass emission norms introduced for petrol vehicles. |
| 1992 | Mass emission norms introduced for diesel vehicles. |
| April 1995 | Mandatory catalytic converters in new petrol cars in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai; unleaded petrol (ULP) introduced. |
| 2000 | Introduction of Euro I equivalent “India 2000” norms for passenger and commercial vehicles; stricter norms for two-wheelers. |
| 2001 | Euro II equivalent Bharat Stage II (BS II) norms introduced in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata. |
| August 2002 | First Auto Fuel Policy announced, outlining emission and fuel roadmap up to 2010. |
| April 2005 | Bharat Stage III (BS III) norms implemented in 13 metro cities; rest of India continued with BS II. |
| April 2010 | Bharat Stage IV (BS IV) implemented in 13 metro cities; rest of India adopted BS III. |
| October 2014 | BS IV extended to 20 more cities. |
| 2013 | Auto Fuel Policy 2025 submitted to MoPNG (Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas), outlining roadmap up to 2025. |
| April 2017 | Nationwide implementation of BS IV. |
| April 2020 | Direct leap to BS VI (skipping BS V) due to severe pollution in Delhi NCR. |
| Upcoming (BS VII) | To be aligned with Euro 7 standards: stricter norms, On-Board Monitoring (OBM), coverage of brake & tyre emissions, and EV battery standards. |
| [UPSC 2004] Consider the following statements:
1. The Oil Pool Account of Government of India was dismantled with effect from 1-4-2002. 2. Subsidies on PDS kerosene and domestic LPG are borne by Consolidated Fund of India. 3. An expert committee headed by Dr. R.A. Mashelkar to formulate a national auto fuel policy recommended that Bharat Stage-II Emission Norms should be applied throughout the country by 1 April, 2004. Which of these statements given above are correct? Options: (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3* |
Get an IAS/IPS ranker as your 1: 1 personal mentor for UPSC 2024
