Delhi VIP / Fancy Number Auction 2025: Online Bidding Process, Fees & Number Categories

Introduction

In 2025, buying a VIP / fancy registration number in Delhi is no longer about standing in long queues at the RTO. The entire process has shifted to a transparent, online e-auction system run by Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (DTIDC) on behalf of the Transport Department, GNCTD.

If you are planning to buy a new car in any of the DL01–DL12 zones (Mall Road, IP Estate, Sheikh Sarai, Janakpuri, Rohini, Mayur Vihar, etc.), a VIP number can become a part of your identity and even the resale value of the vehicle. This 2025-focused guide explains:

• How Delhi’s VIP / fancy number e-auction works end-to-end.
• What number categories (1–5) exist and their base prices.
• Step-by-step registration, blocking and bidding process.
• Real media case studies on record-breaking bids.
• Practical tips and common mistakes to avoid when bidding.

1. Why VIP / Fancy Numbers Are Big in Delhi in 2025

Delhi has been running online e-auctions of VIP or “fancy” registration numbers for more than a decade now. The system started with an experimental e-auction around 2014 and has since become a regular revenue source for the Transport Department of GNCTD, managed by Delhi Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (DTIDC).

In early rounds, media reports highlighted that fancy numbers like “0001” were sold for about ₹7.7 lakh in Delhi’s auctions, while “0007” fetched over ₹6.5 lakh in the same round, contributing to around ₹50 lakh in total revenue – as covered by NDTV. A few years later, another “0001” number fetched approximately ₹16 lakh, setting a new record in the city, according to Hindustan Times.

Across India, the craze has only intensified – one recent auction in another state saw “0001” touch about ₹23.4 lakh for a single luxury car plate, as reported by Moneycontrol. These numbers often cost more than the vehicle itself, especially for luxury and high-end cars.

With the 2025 e-auction cycles, Delhi residents across DL01–DL12 can apply, bid and secure a VIP number completely online without visiting the RTO. Everything from registration to payment and allotment letters is handled through the official fancy number portal.

2. How Delhi’s VIP / Fancy Number Auction System Works (2025 Snapshot)

In Delhi, the e-auction of “Registration Mark of Choice” is conducted online by DTIDC on behalf of the Transport Department, GNCTD. For four-wheelers, the system is integrated into the national fancy number portal at: fancy.parivahan.gov.in.

Key 2025 highlights from the latest DTIDC e-auction notices:

• Mode: 100% online e-auction (no manual/office auctions).
• Eligible applicants: Residents of Delhi only (individuals, companies, firms, institutions with a Delhi address).
• Vehicle type: Primarily non-transport four-wheelers; separate notifications cover two-wheelers, as reported by Business Standard.
• Portal linkage: You select Delhi as state and the relevant DL RTO zone (DL01–DL12) within the fancy number system.
• Registration fee: ₹1,000 (non-refundable) per application / UAN (Unique Acknowledgement Number).

A typical auction cycle in Delhi looks like:

• Registration window: Day 1, 6:00 am to Day 3 midnight.
• Bidding window: From after Day 3 midnight till Day 5, 5:00 pm.
• If bids continue in the last 5 minutes, the auction for that number auto-extends in 5-minute blocks (up to 30 minutes).

This structure makes Delhi’s system transparent, time-bound and fully digital, on par with auctions in other major metros and easy to access from home or office.

3. Reservation Categories: How Numbers Are Grouped in Delhi

Delhi does not use “reservation” in the quota or caste sense for VIP numbers. Instead, DTIDC “reserves” sets of numbers into fee-based categories depending on how premium or desirable they are. As per the latest DTIDC notification (updated around November 2025), the main categories are:

Category 1 – Super Elite

• Numbers: 0001.
• Minimum reserve price: ₹5,00,000.

Category 2 – Single-Digit VIP

• Numbers: 0002 to 0009.
• Minimum reserve price: ₹3,00,000.

Category 3 – Very Premium & Religious Numbers

• Examples: 0010–0099, 0786, 1000, 1111, 7777, 9999.
• Minimum reserve price: ₹2,00,000.

Category 4 – Popular Repeating / Pattern Numbers

• Repeating hundreds: 0100, 0200, 0300, 0400, ... 9000.
• Repeating digits: 0222, 0333, 0666, 0888, etc.
• Patterns: 0101, 0108, 1008, 1313 and similar.
• Minimum reserve price: ₹1,00,000.

Category 5 – Any Other “Jumped” Number of Choice

• Numbers: Any number not covered in Categories 1–4 where you want the department to “jump” the normal running series for your choice (for example, 1234, 2525, 9090, if not already classified as premium).
• Minimum reserve price: ₹20,000.

These categories matter because they:

• Decide your starting bid amount and minimum deposit.
• Indicate how competitive a number is likely to be.
• Help you decide whether to go for a top-tier status symbol or a smart, mid-range pattern.

For many buyers, Category 5 is the sweet spot: you get a unique-looking number without going into multiple lakhs.

4. Step-by-Step: How to Participate in Delhi VIP / Fancy Number Auction 2025

Step 1 – Track the Latest Auction Cycle for Delhi

Start by visiting the national Fancy Number portal at fancy.parivahan.gov.in. Use sections such as “e-Auction Cycle Status” or “Series Status” and choose Delhi as state.

Check which:

• DL series (for example, DL3C, DL10C) is currently open for auction.
• Specific numbers are listed in that auction cycle.

This ensures your preferred number is actually available in the present or upcoming cycle before you pay any fee.

Step 2 – Register & Generate UAN (Unique Acknowledgement Number)

Use the “Public User / New User Registration” link on the fancy number portal and enter:

• Applicant name (must be a Delhi resident / entity with Delhi address proof).
• Mobile number & email ID.
• Address details and ID proof information.

Pay the ₹1,000 registration fee online (non-refundable). Once payment succeeds, the system generates a UAN (Unique Acknowledgement Number) – your key login ID for the auction.

If you are planning to register the car in your own name for the first time, ensure your driving licence and RTO profile are in order. For help with learning, permanent and renewal driving licence work in central Delhi, you can use Fateh Legacy’s service:

Driving License in DL02 (Tilak Marg, Delhi) – DL services before your VIP number registration

Step 3 – Choose & Block Your Desired Number

After registration:

• Select State: Delhi.
• Select RTO / Zone: Any one from DL01–DL12, depending on where your vehicle will be registered.

Search for your desired number in the list of available fancy/choice numbers. If it is present, the portal will show:

• Category (1–5).
• Minimum reserve price for that number.

To block the number for the e-auction:

• Pay online: the reserve price amount for that category (over and above the ₹1,000 registration fee).
• After successful payment, the number is blocked from the running series for that auction period.

If more than one applicant blocks the same number, that number automatically goes into auction among those applicants only.

Step 4 – Participate in the Online Bidding

The bidding window usually opens after Day 3 midnight and continues till Day 5, 5:00 pm for that auction cycle. During this phase:

• Log in using your UAN and password.
• View all numbers you have blocked along with their current highest bid.
• Place bids in specified increments (for Delhi this typically means ₹10,000 steps for premium categories and ₹1,000 for others, similar to other states’ configurations).

The system uses an auto-extension feature: if someone bids in the last 5 minutes of the auction for a particular number, the end time for that number gets extended by another 5 minutes, up to a maximum of around 30 minutes. This prevents last-second “sniping” and keeps the process fair.

Step 5 – Result, Payment of Balance & Allotment Letter

After the auction closes, results are published online and winners also receive SMS / email alerts. If you are the highest bidder:

• You must pay the remaining bid amount (Final bid – reserve price already paid) within the notified deadline (commonly around 5 working days).
• Once the balance is paid, the portal generates an Allotment Letter in your name/UAN.
• This allotment letter is typically valid for around 90 days, within which you must register the car with that number at your chosen Delhi RTO.

To complete the RC process, you will need to visit the RTO (for example, Mall Road, Janakpuri, Rohini etc.) with:

• Vehicle invoice and purchase documents.
• Insurance, PUC (if applicable) and identity/address proofs.
• Your fancy number allotment letter print-out.

If you are buying a used car and want to upgrade it to a VIP number after cleaning the ownership records, proper ownership transfer of the old RC is crucial. Fateh Legacy can help with:

Ownership Transfer in DL05 (Loni Road, Delhi) – RC transfer before or after fancy number allotment

If you do not win the auction, DTIDC / Vahan initiate a refund of the reserve price to your bank account, while the ₹1,000 registration fee remains non-refundable.

5. Delhi-Specific Bidding Rules You Should Know

Based on DTIDC e-auction guidelines and Delhi Transport notifications, some key rules to remember are:

• Delhi residency: Only residents of Delhi or entities with a Delhi address can participate and get the number allotted in 2025 cycles.
• One UAN = one number allotment:
  • You can block and bid on up to 10 numbers under a single UAN.
  • Ultimately, only one number can be allotted per UAN; you choose the final one if multiple numbers are won as per rules.
• Multiple vehicles = multiple UANs:
  • If you want VIP numbers for 2–3 different cars, you must generate a separate UAN for each vehicle.
• Numbers re-enter the running series:
  • If a blocked number is not allotted to anyone (no bids or payment not completed), it may go back to the normal running series for that RTO or be re-notified in future auctions.
• Auction schedule (indicative):
  • Category 5 auctions typically happen every Monday, even on many gazetted holidays.
  • Categories 1–4 + 5 are usually auctioned on the first Monday of each month, as per DTIDC schedules.
• Payments:
  • All payments (registration, reserve price, bid difference) are collected via online payment gateway.
  • Refunds of reserve price are generally processed back to the same bank account used for payment.

For detailed fine print like forfeiture conditions, refund timelines and dispute resolution, always read the latest DTIDC e-auction notice published on the official websites or on the fancy number portal itself.

6. Real Case Studies: What Do VIP Numbers Actually Sell For?

To understand how high bids can realistically go, it helps to look at verified media reports on fancy number auctions in Delhi and across India:

• Delhi’s early e-auction success (2015) – An NDTV story reported that in one of the first Delhi e-auctions, number “0001” sold for around ₹7.7 lakh, while “0007” fetched about ₹6.55 lakh. The total revenue from that round was close to ₹50 lakh.
• Record-breaking Delhi auction (2017) – Hindustan Times reported another Delhi auction in which “0001” fetched roughly ₹16 lakh, breaking previous records for the city and confirming the intense demand for certain numbers.
• Online facility linked to car purchase (2019) – The Times of India highlighted how Delhi’s e-auction facility was integrated so that buyers could pick a fancy number while buying the car, which further boosted the popularity of the scheme.
• Two-wheeler fancy numbers notification – Business Standard wrote about the Transport Department’s move to extend e-auction to two-wheelers, opening up VIP numbers to a wider user base.
• Launch of the e-auction project (2014) – The New Indian Express covered the initial launch of Delhi’s online VIP number auction project, explaining category-wise base prices right from the start.
• Nationwide craze – “0001” for around ₹23.4 lakh (2024) – Moneycontrol reported a case where the number “0001” went for about ₹23.4 lakh in an auction, underlining that sometimes the plate value can exceed the car price.

These examples give Delhi buyers a realistic sense of how Category 1 and 2 numbers can go into multiple lakhs, while Category 3–5 numbers may stay in the five-figure or low six-figure range depending on competition.

7. Tips to Bid Smart in Delhi VIP Number Auction 2025

Before you enter the bidding window, treat the process like a financial decision, not just an emotional one:

• Fix a hard upper limit – Decide your maximum bid beforehand (for example, ₹1.5 lakh or ₹5 lakh) and do not cross it in the excitement of the final minutes.
• Have backup numbers – Shortlist 2–3 options across categories (one in Category 3, one in Category 4, one in Category 5). If competition is too high on your first choice, switch to the next best option.
• Think in cycles, not just one auction – If bids are going crazy in the current month, consider waiting for the next auction cycle rather than overpaying.
• Keep funds ready – Ensure your net banking / credit card limits can handle the balance payment within the 5-day window if you win. Do not rely only on immediate refunds from previous auctions.
• Align with car purchase – Coordinate with your dealer in areas like Rajouri Garden, Lajpat Nagar, Okhla etc. so that your vehicle invoicing and RTO appointment fall within the validity of the allotment letter.
• Be cautious with agents – The system is built for direct public use. If you still take help from an agent or dealer, never share passwords or OTPs; make sure payments are done from your own account.

If your car is financed and you are planning to retain the VIP number even after loan closure or future resale, plan your hypothecation removal in advance. For that, Fateh Legacy offers:

Hypothecation Removal in DL12 (Vasant Vihar, Delhi) – Clean RC before or after fancy number allotment

8. Common Mistakes Delhi Buyers Make

Despite the system being online and rule-based, buyers still make a few costly mistakes during VIP number auctions:

• Blocking a number without syncing car purchase timeline –
  Result: The allotment letter expires because the car is not purchased or invoiced in time; you may lose your preferred number and have to restart the process.
• Using someone else’s Delhi address –
  If the documents and actual ownership do not match during RC registration, the RTO can refuse registration despite your winning bid.
• Ignoring category-wise cost jumps –
  Jumping from Category 5 (₹20k reserve) to Category 2 or 1 without realising that bids can quickly hit multiple lakhs.
• Assuming refunds are instant –
  Reserve price refunds can take some time to reflect in your bank. Do not plan very tight cash-flow around expected refunds.
• Not reading DTIDC e-auction notice carefully –
  Missing details on deadlines, documents, forfeiture and payment rules can lead to losing both the number and part of your money.

If you lose your RC or number plate documents at any point (for example, between winning the auction and finishing registration), replacing documents properly is crucial so that your VIP number is not delayed or blocked. Fateh Legacy helps with:

Duplicate RC in DL07 (Mayur Vihar, Delhi) – For lost or damaged RC linked to VIP numbers

Conclusion

By 2025, Delhi’s VIP / fancy number e-auction has matured into a structured, fully online system that balances status, transparency and revenue. Whether you are chasing a single-digit “0005” or a clever pattern like 2525, the process follows clear rules on categories, reserve prices and bidding windows.

• Use the fancy number portal and DTIDC notices to track cycles and categories carefully.
• Set realistic budgets and shortlist numbers across multiple categories.
• Align your car purchase, finance, RC and document timeline with the validity of the allotment letter.
• Read the fine print on refunds, forfeiture and residency conditions before paying large deposits.
• For documentation around RC transfers, NOC or future resale of a VIP-number car, consider using professional RTO assistance.

If you are planning a bigger restructuring of your vehicle portfolio – selling old cars, shifting to EVs, or moving between states while retaining VIP numbers – you may need a combination of ownership transfer, NOC and RC clean-up. Fateh Legacy can help design that path step-by-step so that your fancy number remains yours while the paperwork keeps pace with your lifestyle.

How Fateh Legacy Helps with VIP Numbers & RC Documentation in Delhi

Winning a VIP / fancy number is only one part of the journey. In real life, Delhi car owners may also need to handle ownership transfers, NOC to other states, hypothecation removal, Duplicate RC and driving licence updates as their vehicle’s life-cycle evolves.

Fateh Legacy acts as a structured RTO partner for buyers who want their VIP number plus documentation sorted with minimal hassle:

• Ownership restructuring – helping you clean up RC records when buying, selling or gifting cars with fancy numbers within family or business.
• Out-of-Delhi movement – planning the safest way to shift your car and VIP number to another state when relocating or buying property outside Delhi.
• Loan closure & RC clean-up – aligning hypothecation removal with number retention so you do not lose your special plate in paperwork confusion.
• Duplicate RC & document retrieval – if documents are lost, damaged or scattered across old address records.

If at some point you decide to move your VIP-number car out of Delhi (for example, shifting to another state for good), a clean NOC from Delhi RTO is essential. Fateh Legacy supports this via:

NOC in DL10 (Raja Garden, Delhi) – Move your VIP-number car registration out of Delhi

For long-term planning, some owners also prefer to keep a Delhi VIP number linked to a new car while selling the old one. In such cases, proper RC transfer, NOC and re-registration sequencing becomes critical so that the special number is not accidentally lost in the process.