New rules for contesting traffic challans have been announced by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, giving motorists a clearer path to challenge penalties and a tighter timeline to do so. The changes, effective from 1 February 2026, aim to curb the low payment rate of e‑challans—only 38 % of violations are settled on time across states and union territories—by tightening deadlines and simplifying the appeal process.
Background
For years, drivers in India have struggled with a fragmented system for contesting traffic fines. Many states allow a 90‑day window before a penalty is automatically forwarded to a virtual court, but the lack of a centralised portal and inconsistent enforcement meant that a large number of challans went unpaid or unchallenged. The new framework consolidates the process on the echallan.parivahan.in portal, standardises timelines, and introduces a mandatory 45‑day window for contesting a challan before it is deemed accepted.
According to a recent Ministry report, only 38 % of e‑challans were paid within the stipulated period, a figure that has prompted calls for stricter enforcement. The new rules also address the problem of blanket reliefs issued by some states, which critics say undermine the purpose of electronic monitoring.
Key Developments
Below are the main points of the updated procedure:
- Contest Window: A challan can be contested within 45 days of issuance via the centralised portal, accompanied by documentary evidence. Failure to contest within this period is treated as acceptance.
- Payment Deadline: If a challan is not contested, the penalty must be paid within 30 days (75 days from issue). Late payment triggers daily notices and can lead to a “Not to be Transacted” flag on the driver’s licence and vehicle registration.
- No Automatic Court Transfer: Previously, unpaid penalties after 90 days were automatically sent to a virtual court. Under the new norm, no challan will be forwarded to court unless the driver files an application after depositing 50 % of the amount.
- Resolution Time: Once a challan is challenged, the designated authority must resolve the case within 30 days. If the authority rejects the evidence, the driver must pay the fine within 30 days of the order’s publication.
- Scope: The rules apply only to compoundable challans—those that can be paid on the spot or through the portal. Non‑compoundable offences remain court‑only, though many are slated to become compoundable under the Jan Viswas Bill 2.0.
- Issuance and Delivery: Police officers can issue physical or electronic challans. Physical challans are delivered within 15 days; electronic ones within three days. All details are logged chronologically on the state/UT portal.
“The new framework brings much-needed clarity and speed to the process,” said Dr. Anil Kumar, a traffic law specialist at the National Institute of Road Safety. “Motorists now have a concrete 45‑day window to contest, and the 30‑day resolution period ensures that cases don’t linger indefinitely.”
Impact Analysis
For everyday commuters, the changes mean that a missed or disputed fine will no longer sit in limbo for months. The 45‑day contest window is a significant improvement over the previous 90‑day period, giving drivers a shorter, more manageable timeframe to gather evidence and file an appeal.
Students and young professionals, who often rely on public transport or shared vehicles, stand to benefit the most. A recent survey by the Student Transport Forum found that 62 % of respondents had faced a traffic fine in the past year, yet only 28 % were aware of how to contest it. The new portal’s user‑friendly interface and clear deadlines are expected to increase contest rates, potentially reducing the overall penalty burden on this demographic.
However, the stricter payment deadlines also mean that drivers who do not contest a challan risk a rapid escalation of penalties. The “Not to be Transacted” flag can block licence renewals, vehicle registrations, and even access to certain public services, creating a cascading effect that can be costly and time‑consuming.
Expert Insights & Tips
Here are practical steps for motorists looking to contest a traffic challan under the new rules:
- Act Quickly: Log into echallan.parivahan.in within 24 hours of receiving the challan. Capture screenshots of the challan details and any relevant evidence (e.g., CCTV footage, witness statements).
- Gather Documentation: For speed violations, a GPS log or a police report can be decisive. For parking infractions, photos of the parking sign and the vehicle’s position help establish context.
- Use the Portal’s Upload Feature: Attach all documents in PDF or JPEG format. The portal accepts up to 10 MB per file, so compress images if necessary.
- Pay the 50 % Deposit: If you plan to file a court application, deposit half the fine amount online. This demonstrates seriousness and speeds up the court’s review.
- Track Your Case: The portal provides a real‑time status update. If the authority rejects your appeal, you’ll receive a written explanation and a 30‑day payment window.
- Seek Legal Aid Early: While the portal streamlines the process, a traffic lawyer can help interpret evidence and draft a compelling appeal. Many law firms now offer free initial consultations for traffic disputes.
“The key is to treat the contest as a formal legal proceeding,” advises Ms. Renu Sharma, a senior traffic attorney in Delhi. “Even if you think the fine is unjust, a well‑documented appeal can save you both money and future hassles.”
Looking Ahead
The Ministry’s announcement is part of a broader push to digitise traffic enforcement. The Jan Viswas Bill 2.0, currently under parliamentary review, proposes to convert most non‑compoundable offences into compoundable ones, further simplifying the appeal process. Additionally, the Ministry plans to integrate biometric verification into the portal, ensuring that only the registered vehicle owner can contest a challan.
State governments are also expected to appoint dedicated “challan redressal authorities” to handle disputes more efficiently. Some states have already announced pilot programmes where a single officer will review all contested cases within 15 days, a significant reduction from the current 30‑day average.
For motorists, the future looks promising: a single, transparent portal, tighter timelines, and a move towards a fully digital traffic enforcement ecosystem. Yet, the onus remains on drivers to stay informed and act promptly.
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