Daily News Analysis

Bharat stage emission standards

stylish_lining

Context: The Supreme Court Thursday asked the Centre to formulate a policy to phase out heavy-duty diesel vehicles and to replace them with BSVI vehicles.

News:

  • The Supreme Court directed the Centre to formulate a policy within six months regarding the use of the Inland Container Depot (ICD) at Tughlaqabad, Delhi, to address air pollution concerns.
  • The order followed a plea by the Container Corporation of India challenging the National Green Tribunal's (NGT) directive from March 8, 2019.
  • The NGT had instructed the corporation to ensure a phased shift from diesel vehicles to electric, hybrid, and CNG vehicles at the ICD, citing their contribution to air pollution in the Delhi NCR area.

The Bharat Stage (BS) Emission Standards

  • They are regulations established by the Indian Government to control the emission of air pollutants from automobiles.
  • The determination of fuel standards in the country falls under the jurisdiction of the Environment Ministry, while the Central Pollution Control Board oversees the implementation of these standards.
  • These regulations are modeled after the European emission standards. Manufacturers have the option to introduce vehicles adhering to BS VI fuel standards even before the April 2020 deadline, but post-deadline, non-compliant vehicles will not be eligible for registration.
  • The enforcement of these new norms is expected to significantly reduce pollution levels by decreasing particulate matter (PM) emissions, with vehicles being a significant contributor to air pollution.

BS-VI emission norms

  • The implementation of BS-VI emission norms has been announced by the Union Environment Minister, slated to begin in 2020, with the aim of significantly reducing vehicular pollution.
  • Vehicle manufacturers are required to adopt new technologies to ensure compliance with the BS-VI standards.
  • Originally scheduled for 2022, the transition to BS-VI vehicles has been expedited by four years due to the alarming air quality conditions.
  • Starting from April 1, 2020, all vehicles, including four and two-wheelers and commercial vehicles, must adhere to the new BS-VI standards.
  • Currently, India utilizes BS IV and BS III fuels, contributing to increased levels of hazardous air pollutants associated with health issues like asthma, bronchitis, heart diseases, and cancer.

Collegium System of Judicial Appointments in India

The Collegium system refers to India's judicial process for appointing and transferring judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts. While the system plays a crucial role in maintaining judici
Share It

Sea-Level Rise

Coral micro-atolls are essential natural recorders of sea-level rise (SLR), offering valuable insights into past and present oceanic changes. These disk-shaped coral colonies provide a unique meth
Share It

India’s Strategy in the Indian Ocean

Why the Indian Ocean Matters: Strategic Importance: The Indian Ocean is the third-largest ocean in the world, hosting 1/3rd of the global population and acting as a crucial maritime trade
Share It

ASEAN Centrality

Why in the News? ASEAN’s central role in the Indo-Pacific is increasingly under strain due to rising great-power rivalry, shifting global trade dynamics, and the evolving regional order.
Share It

2025 SCO Summit in Tianjin

The 25th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit held in Tianjin, China in 2025 brought together the heads of state of member countries to address a broad spectrum of issues, including secu
Share It

India’s Carbon Emissions Trading System

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has made a significant stride in India’s climate strategy by setting up the National Designated Authority (NDA) to implement a
Share It

Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025

The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha to amend various provisions across several central acts with the goal of decriminalizing offences and promoting
Share It

Fair and Representative Global Order

India’s External Affairs Minister recently called for a fair and representative global order during the BIMSTEC Traditional Music Festival. The statement highlights the growing need for reforms
Share It

India's First EMI-Based Credit Card

Recently, Unity Small Finance Bank and BharatPe launched India's first EMI-driven credit card on the RuPay network. This innovative product allows users to pay for their purchases in full or c
Share It

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)

Why in News? Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have gained prominence for their vital role in promoting collective action, protecting rights, and filling gaps in governance. They serve as cata
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS