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Vehicle Scrappage Policy (India)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Examines policy effectiveness, environmental governance, economic incentives, challenges in policy implementation, and the role of the informal economy in waste management and pollution control.

India's Vehicle Scrappage Policy aims to phase out old, polluting vehicles to reduce air pollution, improve road safety, and boost demand for new vehicles, aligning with circular economy principles. It offers incentives like road tax rebates for scrapping vehicles older than 15 years.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Objective

Phase out old, polluting vehicles to reduce emissions and promote new vehicle sales.

Eligibility

Vehicles older than 15 years (commercial) or 20 years (private).

Incentive Structure

Road tax rebate (4-6% of ex-showroom price) on new vehicle purchase after scrapping.

Implementation Status

Low adoption rate (only 3% of estimated End-of-Life Vehicles formally scrapped) due to weak incentives and regulatory gaps.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEnvironmental Governance
Conceptual areaSustainable Transport

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)Formulates and implements
Niti AayogEvaluates and advises
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Aims to phase out old, polluting vehicles.
  • Offers 4-6% road tax rebate on new vehicle purchase.
  • Low formal scrapping rate (3% of ELVs).
  • Challenges: weak incentives, large informal sector.
  • Impacts: air pollution, resource waste, road safety.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the “Declaration ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2020Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint? 1. Coppe...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2016Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’? 1. The river basin is the unit of planning and management. 2...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2015Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Spe...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2014Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Environmental GovernanceSustainable Transport
Prelims 2014· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

Open question
Prelims 2015· Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Spe...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’? 1. The river basin is the unit of planning and management. 2...

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

Open question
Prelims 2020· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint? 1. Coppe...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the “Declaration ...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build...

Open question

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build...

Open question

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

Open question

Retrofitting: the missing link in India’s vehicle scrappage policy

19 Aug 2026 · India's vehicle scrappage policy aims to remove old, polluting vehicles but faces low adoption due to weak incentives and regulatory gaps, leading to environmental and economic inefficiencies.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Vehicle Scrappage Policy (India)

Often confused with

Vehicle Retrofitting

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Vehicle Scrappage Policy (India) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Vehicle Scrappage Policy (India)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

In rural road construction, the use of which of the following is preferred for ensuring environmental sustainability or to reduce carbon footprint? 1. Coppe...

2020·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build...

2026·Environment & Ecology
Solve

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? 1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPC...

2018·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

2026·Environment & Ecology
Solve

With reference to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Spe...

2015·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’? 1. The river basin is the unit of planning and management. 2...

2016·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: 1. Animal Welfare Board of India is established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 2. National Tiger Conservati...

2014·Environment & Ecology
Solve

Consider the following statements: Statement I: At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), India refrained from signing the “Declaration ...

2025·Environment & Ecology
Solve

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