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HomeCar GuideDelhi Ncr Grap Rules Who Can Drive At Each Stage

Published : 24 October 2026

Read Time : 5 min

The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a set of emergency measures designed to control air pollution in Delhi-NCR. It introduces stricter restrictions as air quality worsens, including curbs on older petrol and diesel cars, commercial goods vehicles and buses entering Delhi.

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Delhi-NCR GRAP Rules 2026: Who Can Drive At Each Stage?

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revised the GRAP schedule in September 2026. The updated rules extend restrictions on older cars to Sonipat, move certain bus-entry restrictions to Stage 1 and remove exemptions for specified older goods vehicles carrying essential commodities.

GRAP has 4 stages that are based on Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI). Here’s what each stage means for car owners and other road users.

GRAP Stages And AQI Limits

GRAP STAGE

AIR QUALITY

AQI RANGE

Stage 1

Poor

201-300

Stage 2

Very Poor

301-400

Stage 3

Severe

401-500

Stage 4

Severe+

Above 450

Measures from earlier stages continue when a more severe stage is activated. Restrictions can be introduced proactively based on air-quality forecasts, so drivers should check the latest CAQM orders before travelling.

GRAP Stage 1: Poor Air Quality (AQI 201–300)

Stage 1 focuses on enforcing existing pollution rules and reducing emissions from road transport.

Key measures include:

  • Stricter enforcement of Pollution Under Control (PUC) requirements.
  • Action against visibly polluting vehicles and vehicles covered by existing end-of-life restrictions.
  • Restrictions on the entry of inter-city and inter-state buses from NCR and adjoining states that do not meet the applicable cleaner-vehicle requirements. The revised schedule moves restrictions on BS4 and older-standard buses to this stage.
  • Better traffic management at congested roads and intersections.
  • Mechanised road sweeping, water sprinkling and other measures to reduce road dust.

Who Can Drive Under GRAP Stage 1?

Private cars and SUVs: There is no blanket GRAP Stage 1 ban on private cars based solely on their BS emission standard. However, existing restrictions on end-of-life vehicles and other applicable vehicle rules continue.

Buses: The applicable entry restrictions cover buses from NCR and adjoining states that do not meet the required emission or fuel criteria. Under the applicable GRAP rules, buses must run on electricity or CNG, or meet BS6 diesel emission standards, to enter Delhi under the specified provisions.

Goods vehicles: There is no blanket ban on all goods vehicles in GRAP Stage 1. Other applicable entry restrictions and transport rules continue to apply.

GRAP Stage 2: Very Poor Air Quality (AQI 301–400)

Stage 2 adds measures to discourage private vehicle use and reduce congestion.

Key measures include:

  • Higher parking fees to discourage the use of private vehicles.
  • Staggered working hours for public offices and municipal bodies in Delhi and specified NCR cities.
  • Greater emphasis on public transport and carpooling.
  • Continued enforcement of vehicle-emission and road-dust control measures.

Who Can Drive Under GRAP Stage 2?

Private cars and SUVs: There is no blanket ban on private cars based only on their BS emission standard under Stage 2. The restrictions already applicable under Stage 1 continue.

For private motorists, Stage 2 mainly means higher parking costs and measures encouraging the use of public transport rather than a new general ban on cars.

Buses: The cleaner-vehicle entry requirements introduced under Stage 1 continue.

Goods vehicles: Stage 2 does not introduce a blanket ban on all goods vehicles. Any separate restrictions applicable to their category, fuel type or registration continue to apply.

GRAP Stage 3: Severe Air Quality (AQI 401–450)

Stage 3 introduces stricter restrictions on older passenger vehicles and certain commercial goods vehicles.

Restrictions On Older Petrol And Diesel Cars

The revised schedule restricts the use of BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel or older-standard light motor vehicles (4-wheelers) in Delhi and 5 high-vehicle-density districts:

  • Gurugram
  • Faridabad
  • Ghaziabad
  • Gautam Buddha Nagar, which includes Noida and Greater Noida
  • Sonipat

This means the restriction is not limited to Delhi. Drivers in these districts must also account for the Stage 3 rules when planning their journeys.

Restrictions On Commercial Goods Vehicles

Stage 3 also restricts specified older goods vehicles:

  • Diesel-operated BS4 and older-standard medium goods vehicles registered in Delhi face restrictions on plying in the city.
  • Diesel-operated BS4 and older-standard medium and light goods vehicles registered outside Delhi are restricted from entering the capital under the specified provisions.
  • The revised schedule removes the earlier exemption for specified BS4 and older-standard goods vehicles carrying essential commodities.

These restrictions apply to the vehicle categories and locations specified in the schedule, rather than automatically banning every commercial vehicle.

Who Can Drive Under GRAP Stage 3?

BS3 petrol cars: Restricted in Delhi and the 5 high-vehicle-density districts listed above.

BS4 diesel cars: Restricted in the same areas.

BS6 petrol and diesel cars: Not covered by this particular Stage 3 restriction based on emission standard alone, although other applicable rules may still apply.

Electric and CNG cars: Not covered by this particular BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel restriction. Other applicable vehicle rules, such as end-of-life vehicle rules and possessing a valid PUC certificate continue to apply.

Goods vehicles: Certain diesel-operated BS4 and older-standard light and medium goods vehicles face restrictions, particularly when entering Delhi from outside the city.

The key point for car owners is that when GRAP Stage 3 is activated, BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel 4-wheelers face restrictions on plying in Delhi and the specified NCR districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar and Sonipat. However, vehicles specifically adapted for persons with disabilities and used for their personal transport are exempt under the relevant provision.

GRAP Stage 4: Severe+ Air Quality (AQI Above 450)

Stage 4 introduces additional restrictions on trucks and heavy goods vehicles entering or operating in Delhi. All applicable restrictions from Stages 1, 2 and 3 continue.

Key measures include:

  • Stopping the entry of heavy goods vehicles into Delhi, with specified exceptions for LNG, CNG, electric and BS6 diesel trucks.
  • Restricting Delhi-registered BS4 and older-standard diesel heavy goods vehicles from plying in the city.
  • Removing the earlier essential-commodities exemption for specified BS4 and older-standard goods vehicles covered by the revised schedule.
  • Continuing applicable restrictions on older petrol and diesel cars introduced under Stage 3.

State governments may also consider additional emergency measures, including an odd-even scheme, depending on the circumstances and applicable directions. However, such measures are not treated as automatically active whenever Stage 4 is imposed.

Who Can Drive Under GRAP Stage 4?

BS3 petrol and BS4 diesel cars: The Stage 3 restrictions continue in Delhi and the 5 specified high-vehicle-density districts.

BS6 petrol and diesel cars: These are not automatically banned under GRAP solely because Stage 4 is active. Any separate restriction or government order must still be followed.

Electric and CNG cars: These are not covered by the specific Stage 3 restrictions on older petrol and diesel cars. Other applicable rules remain in force.

Trucks: Entry restrictions apply, with exceptions for LNG, CNG, electric and BS6 diesel trucks under the relevant provision.

Older diesel heavy goods vehicles registered in Delhi: BS4 and older-standard vehicles face restrictions on plying in the city.

Stage 4 therefore does not automatically mean that all private cars are banned. Its additional vehicle restrictions primarily target trucks and heavy goods vehicles, while the specified older petrol and diesel car restrictions from Stage 3 remain in force.

GRAP Stage 3 Vs Stage 4 

What's The Difference?

Vehicle type

Stage 3

Stage 4

BS3 petrol cars

Restricted in Delhi and five specified high-vehicle-density districts

Stage 3 restriction continues

BS4 diesel cars

Restricted in the same areas

Stage 3 restriction continues

BS6 petrol and diesel cars

Not covered by the specific older-car restriction

Not automatically banned solely because Stage 4 is active

Electric and CNG cars

Not covered by the specific older-car restriction

Not covered by the specific older-car restriction

Older diesel light and medium goods vehicles

Specified restrictions, including on entry into Delhi

Stage 3 restrictions continue

Trucks and heavy goods vehicles

Restrictions depend on the applicable Stage 3 provisions

Additional entry restrictions apply, with specified cleaner-vehicle exceptions

How Can You Check Which GRAP Stage Is Active?

GRAP restrictions can change as air quality improves or deteriorates. Before driving in Delhi-NCR, check the latest announcements and orders issued by CAQM:

https://caqm.nic.in/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Car owners should also:

  • Keep their PUC certificate valid
  • Check their vehicle’s emission standard using the registration certificate or official vehicle records
  • Confirm whether restrictions apply to their vehicle type and registration location
  • Use public transport or carpool when possible during severe pollution episodes

You can check out the announcement regarding the revised GRAP schedule by clicking on the link below:

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2316597&lang=2&reg=48&utm_source=chatgpt.com

Before you finalise your next car, these V3Cars tools can help you make a more informed decision:

Fuel Cost Calculator for Cars – Know your monthly fuel expense based on usage and mileage

Car On-Road Price Calculator – Convert ex-showroom to on-road price for any city

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Nikil Jonathan
Nikil Jonathan

Content Writer

Nikil's a huge fan of classic cars, especially Italian beauties such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint and the Iso Grifo. His love for cars and bikes originated when he first laid his eyes on a poster of the Ferrari F40 and the MV Agusta F4 when he was just a child. He also loves all things analogue, especially vintage cameras and turntables.

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