India is set to overhaul its vehicle safety assessment framework with the launch of Bharat NCAP 2.0, scheduled to take effect in October 2027. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari announced the next-generation programme at the 66th SIAM Annual Convention, emphasizing a shift toward evaluating the entire safety chain of a vehicle rather than focusing solely on occupant protection during a crash. The initiative aims to address India's high rate of road accidents by incorporating broader safety parameters, including crash avoidance, pedestrian protection, and post-crash response.
The current Bharat NCAP programme, which launched in 2023, has already certified over 30 vehicle models from 11 manufacturers. By moving to the 2.0 version, the government intends to align India’s testing standards more closely with global practices. Minister Gadkari highlighted that the domestic testing framework offers significant cost advantages, noting that while global NCAP assessments can cost approximately Rs 2.5 crore per model, the Indian equivalent is priced at roughly Rs 16 lakh, making it a highly cost-effective solution for automakers operating in the country.
Expanding the Scope of Vehicle Safety
Bharat NCAP 2.0 will move beyond the traditional focus on how a vehicle protects its occupants during a collision. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), the new framework will evaluate the entire crash chain. This includes proactive measures such as accident avoidance technology, which utilizes sensors and cameras to prevent collisions, and post-crash safety, which focuses on the ease of occupant rescue and emergency response.
Pedestrian safety is also set to become a critical component of the new assessment. The design of vehicle front-ends, including bumpers and bonnets, will be scrutinized for energy absorption capabilities to minimize injury to vulnerable road users. By broadening the criteria, the government aims to reduce the high number of road fatalities, which currently stand at approximately 1.80 lakh deaths annually from five lakh accidents, with a significant portion of victims falling in the 18-36 age bracket.
Proposed 100-Point Scoring System
Draft rules proposed by MoRTH in November 2025 under AIS-197 (Revision 1) outline a comprehensive 100-point evaluation system for the upcoming phase. Under this structure, crash protection will carry the highest weight at 55 points, followed by vulnerable road user protection at 20 points. Safe driving features and accident avoidance technology will each account for 10 points, while post-crash safety will contribute the remaining 5 points.
Achieving a 5-star rating will become increasingly difficult under the new regime. Starting in 2027, vehicles will need to score at least 70 out of 100 to earn the top rating, a threshold that will rise to 80 points by 2029. The updated protocols will also mandate more rigorous testing, including a 50kph full-width frontal crash test, a 32kph oblique pole impact test, and a 50kph rear-impact test. Furthermore, the speed requirement for the existing side-pole test will be increased from 29kph to 32kph.
Industry Collaboration and Future Standards
Minister Gadkari has actively invited vehicle manufacturers to contribute their technical expertise and research to the development of Bharat NCAP 2.0. He encouraged automakers to submit suggestions based on global safety practices, stating, "If you have any good suggestions, don’t hesitate, come to us." This collaborative approach is intended to ensure that the new standards are both ambitious and technically feasible for the domestic industry.
In addition to the testing framework, the government is planning to introduce a graded point system for driving licenses and vehicle registration certificates. This system aims to penalize repeat traffic offenders by cutting points from their licenses, potentially leading to suspension or cancellation. Conversely, drivers with good records may be eligible for incentives from insurance companies. This dual approach of stricter vehicle testing and improved driver accountability is central to the ministry's strategy for enhancing road safety across India.
Impact on Consumer Expectations
The transition to Bharat NCAP 2.0 will likely shift consumer expectations regarding vehicle safety. As the criteria for a 5-star rating become more stringent, manufacturers will be compelled to integrate advanced safety features—such as curtain airbags and electronic stability control (ESC)—as standard equipment across more variants. This evolution mirrors trends seen in mature global markets, where active safety technology is increasingly viewed as a baseline requirement rather than a premium add-on.
Consumers should be aware that a 5-star rating under the current Bharat NCAP programme will not be automatically equivalent to a 5-star rating under the 2.0 framework. As protocols evolve, the benchmark for safety will rise, meaning that vehicles currently holding top ratings may need to undergo re-evaluation to meet the stricter standards of 2027. This ongoing improvement in safety standards is expected to bolster the global competitiveness of Indian-made vehicles, as they gain greater recognition for meeting international safety benchmarks.
