Bharat Stage (BS)-VI Norms

Why in the News?

Recently, The government has allowed retrofitment of CNG and LPG kits in petrol and diesel vehicles that are compliant with BS-VI emission norms.

Key Points: 

• As of now, such modifications are permissible only BS-IV vehicles.
• The BS-VI (BS6) vehicles has mandated from April 1, 2020.
• Vehicle emission norms were introduced in India in 1991 for petrol and in 1992 for diesel vehicles. 
• Since 2000, Euro norms are followed in India under the name Bharat Stage Emission Standards.

Bharat stage (BS) Norms:

• Bharat stage (BS) emission standards were adopted to regulate air pollutants from the internal combustion engines, and engine equipment, including motor vehicles.
• They are based on European regulations that were first introduced in India in 2000.
• They are set by the Central Pollution Control Board under the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
• In 2016 Indian government announced that it would skip the BS-V and adopt BS-VI norms by 2020.