Pune: The numbers may have changed from MH-12 to MH-61, but Pune’s obsession with a special vehicle registration number clearly has not.

The newly introduced MH-61 registration series in Pune has received an overwhelming response from motorists, with the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) receiving 1,018 applications for preferred registration numbers in the new MH-61 A series.

Among the numbers on offer, 91 has emerged as the most sought-after, attracting applications from nine motorists.

The strong response comes days after Pune’s iconic MH-12 registration series ran out of available combinations, forcing the RTO to shift new vehicle registrations to MH-61 as an interim arrangement.

MH 61 preferred numbers draw strong demand

The Pune RTO opened applications for preferred numbers in the MH-61 A series for four-wheelers on August 27.

The response has revealed a clear preference among Pune motorists for numbers that are easy to remember, repetitive or considered personally significant.

Number 91 received nine applications, making it the most contested registration number in the new series.

Several other numbers also attracted heavy demand:

24, 27, 2424, 6161 and 9909 – 8 applications each
5 – 7 applications
23, 555 and 2498 – 6 applications each
6, 10, 5151, 6999, 7070 and 9001 – 5 applications each

Other numbers such as 1500, 2799, 3000, 5006, 5666, 6666, 7111, 7171, 8118 and 9005 also received multiple applications.

Why are Punekars chasing MH 61 fancy numbers?

For many vehicle owners, a registration number is more than just an identification mark.

Simple numbers, repeated digits and memorable combinations are often preferred because they are easy to recall. Some motorists also associate particular numbers with luck, birthdays, family dates or personal milestones.

The latest MH-61 applications show particularly strong interest in single-digit, double-digit, triple-digit and repetitive four-digit combinations.

Where more than one person applies for the same preferred number, the Pune RTO follows an auction process, with the number going to the successful bidder according to the prescribed procedure.

Why did Pune move from MH 12 to MH 61?

The change follows the exhaustion of the existing registration combinations under MH-12, the code that has been associated with Pune since 1989.

The final ZZ series under MH-12 was exhausted recently. Officials said Pune became the first city in Maharashtra to run out of registration numbers under the existing alphanumeric format.

The Pune RTO currently has more than 44.88 lakh live registered vehicles, although Pimpri-Chinchwad and some other parts of Pune district fall under separate RTO jurisdictions.

Is MH 61 permanent for Pune?

Not necessarily.

The Maharashtra Transport Department has been pursuing alternatives that would allow Pune to retain the familiar MH-12 identity. One proposal is the MH-12 1A format.

However, implementing such a format requires regulatory and technical changes and approval from the Union government. Officials have indicated that the process will take time.

Until then, MH-61 will serve as the interim registration series for new vehicles in Pune. Existing vehicles carrying MH-12 registration numbers are not being renumbered simply because the new series has been introduced.

MH 61 is already becoming a new Pune identity

While MH-12 remains deeply associated with Pune, the response to the new series suggests that motorists are quickly adapting to MH-61.

The fact that more than 1,000 people applied for preferred MH-61 numbers within the first application window is particularly significant. The competition for numbers such as 91, 24, 27 and 6161 shows that the demand for distinctive registration numbers has continued despite the change in the RTO code.

For Pune motorists, therefore, the debate may be about MH-12 versus MH-61, but when it comes to getting that one special number on the plate, the enthusiasm appears unchanged.

MH 61 in Great Demand in Pune: 1,018 Apply for Fancy Numbers, 91 Emerges Most Wanted