The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has recently unveiled a detailed draft for Bharat NCAP 2.0, which significantly expands the country's crash test rating program.
The Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) serves as an indigenous star-rating system for crash testing vehicles. Under this system, cars receive ratings ranging from one to five stars, reflecting their safety during collisions. This ambitious initiative is a collaborative effort between the Government of India (GoI) and Global NCAP, the authority responsible for safety crash test ratings. The program was officially launched on 22 August 2023, with operations commencing on 1 October 2023.
The primary goal of Bharat NCAP is to empower consumers, enabling them to make informed decisions when purchasing cars, which in turn encourages demand for safer vehicles. Cars voluntarily nominated by automobile manufacturers will undergo crash testing based on protocols established in the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197.
Vehicles assessed under the Bharat NCAP are scrutinized in three critical safety areas: adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, and safety assist technologies. The program is applicable solely to right-hand drive passenger vehicles available in India, weighing less than 3,500 kg. Only the base variants of cars will be tested, and the ratings remain valid for four years. In addition to internal combustion engine (ICE) models, CNG cars and battery-powered electric vehicles are also eligible for testing.
This program operates on a voluntary basis, with the costs associated with the car's assessment and the assessment itself covered by the respective vehicle manufacturer or importer. Bharat NCAP is overseen by the Ministry of Road Transport and functions as an independent entity.
The current regulations of Bharat NCAP are effective until 30 September 2027, with Bharat NCAP 2.0 expected to be implemented by October 2027.
The revised guidelines introduce essential mandatory tests, updated scoring methods, and new safety categories. Notably, for the first time, vehicles will also be evaluated on their protection for vulnerable road users.
The proposal for Bharat NCAP 2.0 features a 100-point rating system organized into five key areas: Crash Protection, Vulnerable Road-User Protection, Safe Driving, Accident Avoidance, and Post-Crash Safety. The crash testing will expand from two tests to five, utilizing male, female, and child dummies for a more comprehensive assessment.
The vehicles will undergo various impact tests, including offset frontal impact, full-width frontal impact, side impact, pole side impact, and rear impact. Additionally, electronic stability control (ESC) and curtain airbags will be mandatory for any model seeking a star rating, while autonomous emergency braking (AEB) will remain optional. However, models featuring side-facing seats will not qualify for ratings.
From 2027 to 2029, a 5-star rating will necessitate a minimum of 70 points, with this threshold increasing to 80 points from 2029 to 2031. Minimum scores will also be established across each evaluation pillar.
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