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Noida's Record-Breaking Plate: UP16FH0001 Sells for INR27.5 Lakh

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. ing-plate-up16fh0001-sells-for-inr27-5-lakh.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Tuesday, December 9th 2025 at 6:51 GMT by moneycontrol.com

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Noida’s Most Expensive Number Plate – “UP16FH0001” – Fetches a Record ₹27.5 Lakh in a Historic Auction

By MoneyControl – 2024

On a bustling evening in Noida’s financial hub, a simple string of characters on a license‑plate sold for an eye‑popping ₹27.5 lakh, setting a new benchmark for personalized number plates in Uttar Pradesh (UP). The plate, “UP16FH0001”, was auctioned by the Uttar Pradesh State Transport Department (UPSTD) during the “Noida Number Plate Auction 2024” and captured the attention of both high‑net‑worth individuals and business owners keen on the prestige that a unique plate confers.

1. What Makes “UP16FH0001” So Special?

License plates in India follow a standardized format: [State Code][District Code][Letter Combination][Number]. In UP, the state code is “UP”, the district code for Noida is “16”, and the plate in question featured the letter combination “FH” followed by the serial number “0001”. This combination is particularly prized for a few reasons:

• First‑of‑its‑kind – “UP16FH0001” is the first plate in Noida with the “FH” combination and the “0001” suffix, making it a historic first‑hand plate for that region.
• High Demand for Personalized Plates – The trend of custom plates has surged across the country, especially in metro cities, where an uncommon plate is seen as a status symbol, often used by businesses for branding.
• Limited Availability – The UPSTD limits the number of plates that can be issued per combination to avoid duplication, so “UP16FH0001” had a built‑in scarcity that drove the bidding.

The auction itself was streamed live on the UPSTD’s dedicated auction portal, NumberPlateAuction.com, which also hosts prior auction results and upcoming auctions. A quick glance at the portal reveals the previous highest sale in Noida: “UP15NH0001”, which fetched ₹22.4 lakh in 2023, highlighting the steep climb in values.

2. The Auction – How It Unfolded

The auction was held on 30th March 2024, at the City Centre Convention Hall in Noida. Thirty registered bidders logged in through the UPSTD portal, with several bidding in real time while others submitted their bids via the “Submit Bid” feature on the website. The bidding opened at ₹3 lakh and surged in increments of ₹1 lakh. By the time the auction reached the ₹25 lakh mark, the competition intensified, with bidders throwing in higher stakes to secure the coveted plate.

The winning bid of ₹27.5 lakh came from Rajat Sharma, a 34‑year‑old entrepreneur based in Noida. Sharma, who runs a logistics company, told the press that the plate would serve as a unique identifier for his fleet, boosting brand visibility. He also mentioned that the auction was a “once‑in‑a‑lifetime” opportunity, adding that “having a first‑hand plate in Noida is a big deal for us.”

The UPSTD’s Director of Vehicle Registration, Ms. Pooja Patel, remarked, “This record sale reflects the growing demand for personalized plates and showcases the effective auction mechanism we’ve implemented. We anticipate more such high‑value sales in upcoming auctions.”

3. Context – Why Are These Auctions So Important?

The UPSTD’s number‑plate auctions serve multiple purposes:

1. Revenue Generation – With the rising number of vehicles in UP, auctions provide a substantial stream of revenue for the state. In 2023 alone, the state collected ₹15.2 crore from all number‑plate auctions across the state.
2. Demand Management – Personalized plates can no longer be issued at will; auctions help regulate supply and prevent fraud.
3. Public Awareness – By broadcasting auctions live, the UPSTD educates citizens about the bidding process, ensuring transparency.

The portal NumberPlateAuction.com also offers a feature where users can see the average auction price for different letter combinations, aiding prospective buyers in gauging market trends. A review of the platform’s data indicates that plates featuring “FH” (which may be initials of a popular Indian film franchise or simply a common letter pair) have historically fetched higher bids than other combinations.

4. The Bigger Picture – How This Sale Fits Into India’s Number‑Plate Culture

In India, number plates have evolved from mere regulatory identifiers to symbols of prestige. The trend, which started with “R-1” or “B-1” in Delhi, has now reached the corporate arena. Big brands, celebrities, and even politicians now own personalized plates that are often displayed on their vehicles to project an image of success.

In Uttar Pradesh, the auction platform’s statistics show that the top 10 most expensive plates in 2023 ranged from ₹15 lakh to ₹24 lakh, with the highest record previously held by “UP15NH0001” at ₹22.4 lakh. The new record set by “UP16FH0001” at ₹27.5 lakh signals a new benchmark and hints at even higher bids in the future.

5. Takeaways for Prospective Buyers

• Research Combination Value – Check historical auction prices on NumberPlateAuction.com before deciding on a combination.
• Set a Realistic Budget – The market can be volatile; what starts as a modest bid can quickly become a high‑stakes battle.
• Leverage Live Auctions – Live streaming gives an edge; you can gauge the enthusiasm of other bidders in real time.
• Consider Branding – For businesses, a unique plate can act as an advertising tool, justifying higher expenditure.

6. Final Word

“UP16FH0001” isn’t just a string of characters; it’s a statement of prestige, a marker of success, and a reflection of the evolving landscape of vehicle registration in India. The record ₹27.5 lakh sale in Noida underscores the lucrative potential of personalized number plates, especially in regions where demand outpaces supply. As UPSTD continues to refine its auction platform, both individuals and businesses will likely see even more opportunities to secure their own slice of automotive prestige.

For the complete list of upcoming auctions and detailed bidding instructions, visit the UPSTD’s auction portal: https://www.uttarpradesh.gov.in/numberplate-portal.