If your original RC is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond use, you can apply for a duplicate at the RTO where the vehicle was registered. This guide covers the Form 26 application, when an FIR is needed, the documents required, indicative fees and timelines, and what to do while you wait for the new smart card.
Loading interactive experience…
A duplicate RC is required whenever the original smart card is lost, stolen, or so damaged that it can no longer be read or used. The RC is the primary ownership document for a vehicle in India, and the Motor Vehicles Act requires drivers to produce it on demand. Helpfully, the digital RC in DigiLocker is legally valid under the IT Act - so once your physical RC is lost, you can immediately use the DigiLocker or mParivahan copy and keep driving legally while the duplicate is processed.
The core application form is Form 26, the 'Application for Grant of Duplicate Certificate of Registration', available on parivahan.gov.in or at the RTO counter. For a lost or stolen RC, an FIR at the nearest police station is mandatory; for a damaged RC that you still physically have, no FIR is needed - a notary affidavit declaring the damage is submitted instead.
Your insurance and PUC must be current at the time of application - the RTO rejects applications with expired documents.
Most states support online initiation at parivahan.gov.in under Online Services, Vehicle Related Services. Enter your registration number and the last five digits of the chassis number, select Duplicate RC, fill the application, upload scanned documents, and pay the fee online. You then visit the RTO on the appointed date with originals for verification, after which the new smart card is dispatched to your registered address. If your state is not listed for the online service, apply directly at the registering RTO - find yours with the RTO search tool or read the RTO guide.
Fees combine a registration component and a smart card fee, and vary by state and vehicle class - the total outgo is typically a few hundred rupees; confirm the exact amount on Parivahan when applying. Processing generally takes 7-15 working days after RTO verification. If your RC shows hypothecation, obtain an NOC from the financing bank first - the RTO cannot process a duplicate for a hypothecated vehicle without it. Also make sure your address on the RC is current, or the card will be posted to the old address - see the RC address change guide. To confirm your details before applying, run a quick lookup via check RC details online.
Go to parivahan.gov.in, open Online Services then Vehicle Related Services, enter your vehicle number and the last five digits of the chassis number, select Duplicate RC, upload documents, and pay online. You then attend an RTO appointment for verification, after which the smart card is dispatched to your registered address.
Only if the original RC was lost or stolen. If the RC is physically present but damaged beyond use, no FIR is needed - submit a notary affidavit declaring the damage instead. Keep a copy of the FIR for RTO submission.
Form 26 is the official 'Application for Grant of Duplicate Certificate of Registration' under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989. It is the mandatory form for a duplicate RC and can be downloaded from parivahan.gov.in or collected at the RTO counter.
After document verification at the RTO, the duplicate smart card is usually dispatched within 7-15 working days by registered post. In the meantime, the digital RC in DigiLocker is legally valid for traffic enforcement.
Yes, but you need a No Objection Certificate or written consent from the financing bank or NBFC first. Banks typically issue this within a few working days. Include the NOC with your Form 26 application - the RTO cannot proceed without it.
Yes. Add your vehicle in the DigiLocker or mParivahan app to access the digital RC, which is legally valid and accepted by traffic police nationwide while your physical duplicate is being processed.