Bharat NCAP 2.0: Key Updates and Impact on Vehicle Safety

Bharat NCAP 2.0 Latest News

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has released a revised draft of the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP), updating the 2023 version that is valid until September 2027. The new draft significantly broadens the programme’s scope by adding new mandatory crash tests, revised scoring criteria, and expanded assessment verticals.

A major shift in the draft is the inclusion of vulnerable road user (VRU) protection tests, especially for pedestrians, who make up over 20% of road accident fatalities in India. For the first time, vehicles will be evaluated on pedestrian safety features such as impact protection, braking systems, and design elements that reduce injury risks. Overall, the revised Bharat NCAP aims to enhance road safety by encouraging manufacturers to produce vehicles with higher crashworthiness and better protection for both occupants and pedestrians.

Bharat NCAP: India’s Vehicle Crashworthiness Rating System

Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) is a voluntary vehicle safety rating system that evaluates cars based on crashworthiness, going beyond basic roadworthiness requirements. Cars are tested using India-specific crash protocols, and those performing best receive a five-star safety rating.

Designed to give Indian consumers clearer safety information, Bharat NCAP aligns with global NCAP models but adapts them to Indian conditions and technologies. Manufacturers can voluntarily submit vehicles for testing and use the ratings in marketing. The Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), Pune, is the authorised agency for issuing Bharat NCAP ratings.

Key Changes Proposed in Bharat NCAP 2.0

Bharat NCAP 2025 broadens its evaluation method. Instead of the earlier three verticals — AOP (Adult Occupant Protection), COP (Child Occupant Protection), and SAT (Safety Assist Technologies) — the new programme rates vehicles across five assessment areas:

• Safe Driving – 10%
• Accident Avoidance – 10%
• Crash Protection – 55%
• Vulnerable Road User Protection – 20%
• Post-Crash Safety – 5%

This gives a more holistic picture of a vehicle’s overall safety performance.

More Comprehensive Crash Tests

The earlier version required three crash tests. Bharat NCAP 2.0 increases this to five mandatory crash tests:

• 64 km/h frontal impact against a deformable barrier
• 50 km/h lateral impact with a mobile deformable barrier
• 32 km/h oblique side impact against a rigid pole
• 50 km/h frontal impact against a full-width rigid barrier
• 50 km/h rear impact against a mobile rigid barrier

These tests help assess injury risk in real-world crash scenarios.

Enhanced Injury Assessment

Using Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs) (crash-test dummies), the new draft evaluates injury risk for:

• Adult occupants
• Driver, front passenger, and rear-seat occupants
• Child occupants

This ensures a more precise measurement of protection across all seating positions.

Protection for Vulnerable Road Users

For the first time, Bharat NCAP incorporates tests to assess:

• Pedestrian injury risk
• Cyclist safety measures

This addresses India’s high share of pedestrian fatalities.

Vulnerable Road User Protection: Key Safety Measures in Bharat NCAP 2.0

Bharat NCAP 2025 introduces a dedicated Vulnerable Road User Protection vertical with 20% weightage, assessing how well vehicles protect pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists during crashes.

Mandatory Impact Tests

These include:

• Pedestrian legform impact on the vehicle bumper
• Adult headform impact on the bonnet/windshield
• Child headform impact on the bonnet/windshield

These tests evaluate how vehicle design minimizes injury during collisions.

Optional AEBS Assessments

Performance of Autonomous Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) is assessed for:

• Child pedestrian detection
• Adult pedestrian detection
• Car-to-motorcyclist rear-end scenarios

This new vertical focuses on driver-assist technologies that help prevent crashes before they occur.

Key Requirements

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC): Mandatory for eligibility under Bharat NCAP 2.0. ESC helps maintain vehicle stability, especially during skids or sudden manoeuvres.
• AEBS: Optional but encouraged to enhance star ratings.

Post-Crash Safety Measures

A new vertical ensures vehicles help protect occupants after a crash. Mandatory evaluations include:

• Energy Management for Fire & Electrical Hazards – Ensures protection from electric shocks, especially in EVs.
• Occupant Extrication Assessment – Checks ease of door opening; evaluates seatbelt buckle release after collision.

These measures ensure emergency responders can rescue