You can check whether your vehicle is BS3 or BS4 by looking at the emission standard mentioned on the Registration Certificate (RC).
It may also be printed on the vehicle’s emission label under the hood or near the engine.
You can also confirm by checking with the manufacturer using your vehicle’s VIN number.
To check whether your vehicle is BS3 or BS4, you need to confirm which Bharat Stage (BS) emission standard it complies with. These standards are set by the Government of India to regulate vehicle emissions.
Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide.
🇮🇳 What Are BS3 and BS4?
- BS3 (Bharat Stage 3) – Implemented nationwide by 2010
- BS4 (Bharat Stage 4) – Implemented nationwide from April 1, 2017
👉 Any vehicle sold in India after April 1, 2017 is BS4 or higher (unless it was old stock registered earlier).
Method 1: Check Your Registration Certificate (RC)
Your RC book/card usually mentions emission norm.
Look for:
- “Emission Norms”
- “Bharat Stage”
- “BS III” or “BS IV”
It may appear as:
- BS III
- BS IV
- Bharat Stage IV
- BS4
If you have a Smart Card RC, check:
- Front side or
- Remarks section
If digital, check on:
- Parivahan website
- mParivahan app
Method 2: Check on Parivahan Website
Visit:
👉 https://parivahan.gov.in
Steps:
- Click Vehicle Related Services
- Choose Know Your Vehicle Details
- Enter your registration number
- Verify with OTP
- Look for Emission Norms
It will clearly state:
- BS3
- BS4
- BS6
Method 3: Check the Vehicle Invoice
If you have the original purchase invoice:
- It usually mentions BS III or BS IV under specifications.
Method 4: Check the Under-Hood Emission Sticker
Open the bonnet.
Look for a sticker that says:
- “This vehicle conforms to BS IV emission norms”
- Or similar wording
It is usually placed:
- Near the engine
- On the radiator support
- On the underside of the bonnet
Method 5: Check Manufacturing Date
| Manufacturing Date | Likely BS Norm |
|---|---|
| Before April 2017 | BS3 or BS4 (depends on city) |
| After April 2017 | BS4 |
| After April 2020 | BS6 |
⚠ Important:
Some metro cities like:
- Delhi
- Mumbai
- Chennai
- Kolkata
Switched to BS4 earlier than other cities.
Special Case: Two-Wheelers
For bikes and scooters:
- BS4 two-wheelers were mandatory from April 2017.
- Most bikes before 2017 are BS3 (unless registered in metro cities earlier).
Summary
✔ Easiest way: Check RC on Parivahan
✔ Most reliable: RC or official database
✔ Visual check: Under-hood emission sticker
✔ Date rule:
- Before 2017 → Likely BS3
- After April 2017 → BS4
Other courses:
