Bharat NCAP 2.0 – The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is set to implement Bharat NCAP 2.0, a project that would make crash test regulations more stringent. The new system has been designed in accordance with a stronger vehicle structure, new safety technologies, and a more demanding scoring system. This has been prepared according to AIS 197 and the proposal has been disseminated for feedback. In case of approval, this will supplant the existing system and will be operational from October 2027. The structure being proposed entails a five-pillar rating system, five crash tests, a pedestrian safety rating, and post-crash support.
Bharat NCAP 2.0 Proposed Guidelines
Car manufacturers will have to install safety features like Electronic Stability Control, Curtain Airbags, and Autonomous Emergency Braking. A minimum score of 70 points out of 100 will be necessary for a car to be rated 5-star, and the failure of any one of the five pillars will disqualify the vehicle from being awarded the 5-star rating.
The vehicles will be categorized for testing in five segments:
- Crash Protection (55 points)
- Vulnerable Road User Protection (20 points)
- Safe Driving (10 points)
- Accident Avoidance (10 points)
- Post‑Crash Safety (5 points)
The above-mentioned amendments intend to bring Bharat NCAP crash ratings in line with global standards such as Euro NCAP.
The crash tests will be extended from two to five, using male, female, and child dummies. The vehicles will undergo the following tests:
- Offset frontal impact
- Full-width frontal impact
- Side impact
- Pole side impact
- Rear impact
In addition to this, Bharat NCAP 2.0 will also carry out safety evaluations for pedestrians in order to mitigate the fatalities. The post-crash safety assessment will include features like emergency calls, opening of doors, release of seat-belts, prevention of fire, and reduction of electric shock as well.
All cars are now going to have to be equipped with technologies that will prevent accidents, like E,SC, LDW, BSD, DD, FCW, HHA, and optional AEB, among others.
The existing Bharat NCAP regulations will be in force till the end of September, 2027. The launch of Bharat NCAP 2.0 is anticipated for October, 2027.
