The Telangana government has announced a comprehensive amendment to Rule 81 of the Telangana Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, revising the fee structure and process for reserving premium vehicle registration numbers. From now on, applications must be submitted exclusively through the Transport Department’s online portal (www.transport.telangana.gov.in). No offline applications will be entertained.
This shift to digital-only processing is aimed at reducing manual intervention, curbing corruption, and streamlining the overall reservation process.
New Tiered Fee Structure
The revised rules introduce a six-tier fee system based on the popularity and prestige of numbers:
- Tier 1 (₹1,50,000): 1, 9, 9999
- Tier 2 (₹1,00,000): 99, 100, 786, 888, 999
- Tier 3 (₹50,000): 33, 111, 555, 666, 777, 1000
- Tier 4 (₹20,000): 1234, 2023, 2525, 3333, 4444, 5555, 6666, 7777, 8888, 9090
- Tier 5 (₹10,000): 123, 143, 202, 345, 789, 987
- Tier 6 (₹2,000): All other numbers
Online Auction for High-Demand Numbers
For numbers that receive multiple applications, the government has introduced an online auction system. Bidders compete within a two-hour window, and the highest bidder secures the number. Unsuccessful bidders lose 10% of the fee paid.
If the winning bidder fails to register a vehicle within 30 days, the reservation is canceled and the entire fee is forfeited.
Boosting Transparency and Revenue
The reform reflects Telangana’s commitment to digital governance and transparency. Officials believe the online mechanism will not only reduce malpractice but also enhance state revenue through premium services.
Additionally, the government has invited public feedback within 15 days of the Gazette publication to ensure wider participation in finalizing the amendments.
This move places Telangana among the states leading in digitizing transport services, while also addressing the growing demand for prestige vehicle numbers.
