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India is preparing for a major upgrade to its vehicle safety assessment system. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has announced that Bharat NCAP 2.0 is scheduled to come into effect from October 2027. The next version will expand the scope of vehicle safety testing beyond conventional crash protection and place greater emphasis on accident prevention, vulnerable road users and post-crash safety. 

 

 

The announcement was made during the 66th SIAM Annual Convention, where Gadkari highlighted the contribution of Bharat NCAP towards improving vehicle safety standards in India. He also said the programme has helped strengthen the reputation and competitiveness of Indian-made vehicles in international markets. More than 30 vehicles have reportedly been tested under the programme so far. 

The upcoming framework will assess vehicles using a 100-point system divided into five safety categories:

• Crash Protection – 55% 

• Vulnerable Road User Protection – 20% 

• Safe Driving – 10% 

• Accident Avoidance – 10% 

• Post-Crash Safety – 5% 

 

Bharat NCAP 2.0 will also put greater emphasis on technologies designed to prevent accidents. Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and curtain airbags are proposed to become mandatory for vehicles seeking a Bharat NCAP rating. Advanced driver-assistance technologies such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and lane-departure warning systems will also contribute towards a vehicle's overall safety score. Vehicles equipped with side-facing seats will not be eligible for a Bharat NCAP rating under the proposed framework. 

The requirements for achieving the highest safety rating are also set to become more demanding. Between 2027 and 2029, a vehicle will need to achieve at least 70 points out of 100 for a five-star rating. This minimum score is proposed to rise to 80 points from 2029 to 2031. Another important change is that a vehicle scoring zero in any one of the five safety categories will not qualify for a five-star rating. This approach is intended to encourage manufacturers to focus on overall safety rather than excelling in only selected areas. 

Gadkari also pointed to the cost advantage offered by India's domestic safety testing programme. Testing a vehicle through Global NCAP can cost around Rs 2.5 crore per model, while Bharat NCAP testing is estimated at approximately Rs 16 lakh per model. The lower cost has also helped make India an attractive destination for vehicle safety testing. 

The expansion of Bharat NCAP comes against the backdrop of India's serious road-safety challenge. Gadkari stated that the country witnesses around five lakh road accidents and 1.8 lakh fatalities every year. With Bharat NCAP 2.0, the government aims to take a more comprehensive approach by addressing crash protection, accident prevention, pedestrian safety and post-crash care. The initiative is expected to encourage automakers to develop safer vehicles while giving consumers more meaningful information when making purchasing decisions.