A premium vehicle registration number, UP16FH0001, set a new record by fetching ₹27.5 lakh in an online auction conducted via the central government’s transport portal, officials said on Tuesday. The high-value number was purchased by a Noida-based pharmaceutical company for a Mercedes car. The Noida Transport Department described it as the highest sum ever received for a registration number in the district.
Auction Details and Bidding Process
According to Nand Kumar, Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), Gautam Budh Nagar, the UP16FH series was recently launched, and the auction was conducted online with a base price of ₹1 lakh. Interested bidders were required to deposit a security amount of ₹33,333 to participate.
“During the bidding, a pharmaceutical firm from Sector 126 emerged as the highest bidder at ₹27.5 lakh. After the auction, the bidder received an online link to complete the payment and secure the number,” Kumar said.
Transport official Vinay Singh added that there were seven bidders competing for the number, highlighting growing interest in premium vehicle numbers in the district.
Trend of High-Value Vehicle Numbers
The Noida Transport Department has seen increasing demand for fancy registration numbers in recent years. In September 2025, another premium number, UP16FH0008, was auctioned for ₹11 lakh to a private company.
Officials noted that some high-value bids in the past did not materialize into completed transactions. For instance, a bidder had offered ₹32 lakh for UP16EP0001 in 2024 but ultimately did not purchase the number.
The incident mirrors recent developments in neighboring states. Last week, a high-profile auction in Haryana for HR 88 B 8888, touted as “India’s most expensive vehicle registration number,” valued at ₹1.17 crore, collapsed after the highest bidder failed to pay, prompting a government probe into both the failed transaction and the bidder.
Premium Numbers Categories and Popularity
According to the transport department, fancy registration numbers auctioned on *[www.parivahan.gov.in](http://www.parivahan.gov.in)* are divided into four categories:
* Category 1: Premium numbers such as 0001, 0002, 0003.
* Category 2: Numbers like 0010, 0011, 0022.
* Category 3: Combinations such as 0018, 0027, 0036.
* Category 4: Numbers including 0020, 0030, 0040.
The popularity of single-digit and repetitive numbers, often seen as status symbols, has led to competitive bidding in recent auctions.
Transport Department Perspective
Officials highlighted that the record bid reflects both the growing interest in luxury vehicles and the symbolic value of premium registration numbers. The transport department emphasized transparency in the auction process and assured that all online payments and registrations are strictly monitored.
“Premium numbers not only add prestige but also generate significant revenue for the transport department, which can be reinvested into road infrastructure and vehicular management,” a senior transport official said on condition of anonymity.
Market Analysts and Public Interest
Real estate and automotive experts observe that premium registration numbers are increasingly perceived as investment assets, with some buyers willing to pay multiples of the base price for exclusivity. Rohit Verma, Noida-based automotive consultant, said, “Numbers like UP16FH0001 are rare and carry symbolic value for corporates and high-net-worth individuals. Auctions create a transparent market for such numbers.”
Transport authorities reported that Gautam Budh Nagar has approximately 1.1 million registered vehicles, underscoring the competitive nature of premium number auctions in a growing urban district.
The successful auction of UP16FH0001 sets a benchmark for high-value registration numbers in Noida, reflecting the district’s rising luxury vehicle market and the increasing trend of premium number auctions across India. Officials anticipate further interest as new series are launched and the popularity of distinct, easily recognizable numbers grows.
The transport department has urged prospective buyers to participate through official channels to ensure fair competition and transparent allotment of premium vehicle numbers.
