Shivam Babu at 00:14, 6 March 2026

2026-03-06T00:14:31Z

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{{Update|date=July 2023|reason=There are mentions of actions taken in 2022 with no update.}}{{Short description|New car assessment program in India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}

{{Infobox company
| name = Bharat New Car Assessment Programme
| logo = Bharat_NCAP.png
| logo_caption = Bharat NCAP logo
| native_name =
| industry = Automotive Safety
| founded = August 2023
| hq_location = [[Pune]], Maharashtra, India
| area_served = [[India]]
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.bncap.in/}}
}}

The '''Bharat New Car Assessment Program''', also known as the '''Bharat NCAP''', is the official [[New Car Assessment Program]] for [[India]]. It was launched by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), Government of India on 22 August 2023.

Cars sold in the country will be assigned by star ratings based on their safety performance. It was implemented in phases, according to the plans drawn up by the [[National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project]]. It is the 10th NCAP in the world and was set up by the government of India.<ref>{{cite web |last=Campbell |first=Matt |date=5 November 2014 |title=Datsun Go, Maruti Suzuki Swift score zero stars in global NCAP crash tests |url=http://www.caradvice.com.au/317652/datsun-go-maruti-suzuki-swift-score-zero-stars-in-global-ncap-crash-tests/ |work=Car Advice |location=Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316214048/http://www.caradvice.com.au/317652/datsun-go-maruti-suzuki-swift-score-zero-stars-in-global-ncap-crash-tests/ |archive-date=2015-03-16 |access-date=15 October 2016}}</ref> The program was expected to begin mid-2014, but postponed to start from 2017. It was later scrapped until finally launching in August 2023.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cars set to get safer: Govt draws strict crash test norms forcing architectural changes in models|url=http://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/cars-set-to-get-safer-govt-draws-strict-crash-test-norms-forcing-architectural-changes-in-models/35420125|access-date=5 June 2014|work=The Economic Times|date=21 May 2014}}</ref> Within two years of implementation, new cars sold in India will need to comply with voluntary star ratings based on [[Crash test|crash safety performance tests]]. Crucial safety features such as [[airbags]], [[Anti-lock braking system|ABS]] and [[seat belts|seat belt reminders]] will become standard in cars sold in India resulting from rankings and mandatory crash testing. Offset [[Head-on collision|front crash]], [[Side collision|side]], and [[Rear-end collision|rear impact]] tests. Cars will gradually have to meet more stringent norms such as [[Pedestrian safety through vehicle design|pedestrian protection]], [[Whiplash (medicine)|whiplash injury]] and [[Child safety seat|child restraint systems]] standards and requirements.

{| class="wikitable sortable" style=""width: 30%"
|-
! data-sort-type="number" | Rank by vehicle sales in 2017<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2018 |title=India is now the 4th largest auto market, overtakes Germany |url=https://motoroctane.com/news/98829-india-is-now-the-4th-largest-auto-market-overtakes-germany |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804063846/https://motoroctane.com/news/98829-india-is-now-the-4th-largest-auto-market-overtakes-germany |archive-date=2021-08-04}}</ref>
! Country
! data-sort-type="number" | Estimated road traffic death rate per 100,000 population, 2018<ref>{{Cite web|title=Global status report on road safety 2018|url=https://www.who.int/publications-detail-redirect/9789241565684|access-date=2021-08-03|website=World Health Organization}}</ref>
|-
| 1 || [[China]] || 18.2
|-
| 2 || [[United States]] || 12.4
|-
| 3 || [[Japan]] || 4.1
|-
| 4 || [[India]] || '''22.6'''
|-
| 5 || [[Germany]] || 4.1
|-
| 6 || [[United Kingdom]] || 3.1
|-
| 7 || [[France]] || 5.5
|-
| 8 || [[Brazil]] || 19.7
|-
| 9 || [[Italy]] || 5.6
|-
| 10 || [[Canada]] || 5.8
|}

The number of [[List of countries by traffic-related death rate|deaths due to road accidents]] in India is around three to four times that of European countries like France, Germany and Spain.<ref name=datatables>{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_safety_status/2015/GSRRS2015_data/en/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151130025846/http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_safety_status/2015/GSRRS2015_data/en/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 30, 2015 |title=WHO Global status report on road safety 2015 (data table A2) |publisher=World Health Organisation (WHO) |editor=WHO |format=PDF |type=official report | location=Geneva, Switzerland |date=2015 |accessdate=2016-01-26}}</ref> The [[Automotive Industry Standards|Indian automotive safety standards]] have been criticised as being insufficient and ineffective. India has the world's sixth-largest car market, but is still the only country among the global top ten car markets without a testing program that measures the safety of vehicles.<ref>{{cite news|title=Indian small cars fail independent crash tests|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/tata-nano-other-indian-small-cars-fail-independent-crash-tests-477550|access-date=5 June 2014|work=NDTV|date=January 31, 2014}}</ref> It is estimated that vehicles in India will cost 8–15% more resulting from compliance with these norms. However, harmonizing India's vehicle safety standards with global standards is expected to help automakers export locally produced cars globally.

While crash testing under Bharat NCAP has been a positive step in enhancing automotive safety, the testing has not been made mandatory.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.thedrivershub.com/bharat-ncap-heres-why-it-should-be-mandatory-to-every-indian-manufacturer/|title= Bharat NCAP: Here’s Why It Should Be Mandatory To Every Indian Manufacturer!}}</ref> This has led to a speculation of leniency to some manufacturers selling cars with poor safety ratings despite compliance of making safety features as standard equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/auto/news/stop-selling-unsafe-cars-to-poor-indians-nitin-gadkari-at-auto-industry-event/articleshow/94206702.cms|title= Stop selling unsafe cars to ‘poor Indians’: Nitin Gadkari at auto industry event}}</ref>

== History ==
Before the launch of Bharat NCAP, the rules and regulations related to automotive safety in India were governed by the Central Motor Vehicles rules 1989 (CMVR) – Technical Standing Committee.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date= |title=Regulatory Framework - SIAM |url=http://www.siamindia.com/scripts/regulatoryframework.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127104228/http://www.siamindia.com/scripts/regulatoryframework.aspx |archive-date=2011-01-27 |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=SIAM (Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers)}}</ref>

The CMVR - Technical Standing Committee (CMVR-TSC) advises MoRT&H on various technical aspects related to CMVR. This Committee has representatives from various organisations namely; [[Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises (India)|Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises]] (MoHI&PE), MoRT&H, [[Bureau of Indian Standards]] (BIS), Testing Agencies such as [[International Centre for Automotive Technology]] (ICAT), [[Automotive Research Association of India]] (ARAI), [[Vehicle Research and Development Establishment]] (VRDE), Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), industry representatives from [[Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers]] (SIAM), [[Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India|Automotive Component Manufacturers Association]] (ACMA) and [[Tractors in India#Tractor Manufacturers Association|Tractor Manufacturers Association]] (TMA) and representatives from State Transport Departments. CMVR-TSC is assisted by another Committee called the Automobile Industry Standards Committee (AISC) having members from various stakeholders in drafting the technical standards related to safety which include:

* Preparation of new standards for automotive items related to safety.
* To review and recommend amendments to the existing standards.
* Recommend adoption of such standards to CMVR Technical Standing Committee.
* Recommend commissioning of testing facilities at appropriate stages.
* Recommend the necessary funding of such facilities to the CMVR Technical Standing Committee.
* Advise CMVR Technical Standing Committee on any other issues referred to it<ref name=":1" />

Automotive Industry Standards Committee (AISC) is set up under Central Motor Vehicles Rules -Technical Standing Committee (CMVR - TSC) by Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, (Dept. of Road Transport & Highways) (MoRT&H (DoRT&H)) in the year 1997 to review the safety in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of motor vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Automotive Research And Development, Automotive Service Provider, India, Vehicle Type Certification, Automotive Testing And Calibration, Vehicle Design Labs, Advanced Automotive Design Standards, Automotive Engineering Course |url=https://www.araiindia.com/services/certification-and-standardisation/standardisation |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=Automotive Research Association of India}}</ref>

[[Automotive Industry Standards]] formulated by the Automobile Industry Standards Committee (AISC) is the automotive technical specification for the Indian market. It comprises specifications and requirements to be met by vehicles sold in India. Some of these requirements pertaining to vehicle safety in the event of collision are:

* AIS-096 – Requirements for Behaviour of Steering Mechanism of a vehicle in a Head-on Collision<ref>{{cite web |url=https://hmr.araiindia.com/api/AISFiles/0_List_of_AIS_published-25_09_2024_3570e86e-4711-40ec-9df8-8caf58374aaf.pdf |title=List of published automotive industry standards |date=2024-09-25 |website=Automotive Research Association of India |access-date=2025-07-06}}</ref>
* AIS-097 – Procedure for determining the "H" Point and the Torso Angle for 50th percentile Adult Male in seating positions of Motor Vehicles.
* AIS-098 – Requirements for the Protection of the Occupants in the event of an Offset Frontal Collision
* AIS-099 – Approval of Vehicles with regards to the Protection of the Occupants in the event of a Lateral Collision
* AIS-100 – Requirements for the Protection of Pedestrian and other Vulnerable Road Users in the event of a Collision with a Motor Vehicle
* AIS-100 (Rev. 1) – Requirements for the Protection of Pedestrian and other Vulnerable Road Use Protocols

However, as there's no single standardised method for testing vehicle collisions nor is there any measurable statistics for consumers to know how well the vehicles protect the occupants, manufacturers simply met the basic requirements needed for Indian market.

On 31 January 2014, Global NCAP released a series of videos on YouTube crash testing some of India's best-selling car models under their "Safer cars for India" project. The cars tested were the 2014 model year [[Tata Nano]], [[Ford Figo]], [[Maruti Suzuki Alto 800]], [[Maruti Suzuki Swift]], [[Datsun Go]], [[Hyundai i10]] and [[Volkswagen Polo]]. The cars which were crash tested all had 0 stars for adult occupant protection (except for the Volkswagen Polo with 2 airbags which scored 4 stars for adult occupant protection)<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcDEck0jOGA |title=VW Polo with two airbags scores four stars |date=2014-01-30 |last=Global NCAP |access-date=2025-07-03 |via=YouTube}}</ref> and also failed the basic UN safety test. Following this revelation, several media publications and forum posts started paying attention to India's lack of testing for cars and cars in general being unsafe to drive and not suited for most auto markets.<ref>{{Cite web |last=By |title=Global NCAP tests show how cars sold in India fall short on safety |url=https://www.iihs.org/news/detail/global-ncap-tests-show-how-cars-sold-in-india-fall-short-on-safety |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=IIHS-HLDI crash testing and highway safety |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-01-31 |title=Crash Tests Show India's Cars Are Unsafe |url=https://www.globalncap.org/news/volkswagen-withdraws-zero-star-without-airbags |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=Global NCAP |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-01-31 |title=Popular Indian cars fail crash tests |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-25974754 |access-date=2025-07-03 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Team-BHP - More Indian cars face Global NCAP crash tests. Edit: ZERO for all |url=https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/road-safety/175726-more-indian-cars-face-global-ncap-crash-tests-edit-zero-all-5-print.html |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=Team-BHP |location=India}}</ref>

Many people in India started taking crash rating seriously and started demanding safer cars. The government of India started to plan a vehicle assessment program for vehicles sold in India under the new Bharat New Vehicle Safety Assessment Program (BNVSAP) around the late 2010s.
Cars sold in the country will be assigned star ratings based on their safety performance. It was implemented in phases, according to the plans being drawn up by '''ARAI''' (Automotive Research Association of India) and the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project. The program got underway with high tech state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories being set up up across India.

With BNVSAP, a star rating system was introduced based on crash safety performance features. A car is subjected to offset front crash, side-impact and rear impacts. For the vehicle to clear these tests, it needs to have the bare essential safety systems like airbags, ABS (Anti-lock braking system), child restraint systems and seatbelt pre-tensioners. With the particular implementation of BNVSAP, Indian car manufacturers had to introduce crucial safety features with their new offerings. All existing car models sold after 1 October 2019 had to clear the prescribed BNVSAP tests.

Under BNVSAP, vehicles are crash-tested at {{cvt|64|km/h|mph|0}} for frontal impacts – which is the average speed in India.

Points can be awarded to the car based on the safety features in the car like ABS, seat belt reminders, child lock, and Electronic Stability Control. The car testing protocols are defined by ARAI and are as follows:

# Frontal offset testing (64 km/h proposed)
# Side-impact testing
# Pedestrian protection testing
# Rear impact testing
# Child dummy dynamic crash testing

On 7 December 2018, Global NCAP published the crash testing of the Subcompact crossover [[Tata Nexon]]. The testing showed that it has achieved 5 stars for adult occupant protection, making it India's first indigenous produced car to get a 5 stars rating.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-07 |title=Global NCAP's First Five Star Car In India: The Tata Nexon |url=https://www.globalncap.org/news/global-ncaps-first-five-star-car-in-india-the-tata-nexon |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=Global NCAP |language=en-GB}}</ref> Following this, multiple brands started to develop or add features that would increase their vehicles safety rating.

In 2022, the ministry of road and transport announced that BNCAP would commence, the testing shall be done on a voluntary basis and that the star rating will be introduced. It also announced that the testing protocols will go beyond the technical specifications and that the testing will be aligned closer to global standards<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bharat New Car Assessment Programme |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1843354 |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=Press Information Bureau}}</ref>

In August 2023, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, launched the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme in New Delhi. Operations commenced on 1 October 2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=Shri Nitin Gadkari launches Bharat NCAP(New Car Assessment Programme) |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1951030 |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=Press Information Bureau}}</ref> with the first testing of vehicle safety published in December of the same year for the [[Tata Harrier]] and [[Tata Safari]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=TATA Safari/ Harrier – bncap |url=https://www.bncap.in/vehicle/tata-safari-harrier/ |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=BNCAP |location=India}}</ref> both getting 5 stars for both adult and child occupant production.

== Protocols ==
BNCAP started the official testing from December 2023 onwards. The car testing protocols is defined by the [[Automotive Research Association of India]] (ARAI) as follows:
# Frontal offset testing (64 km/h proposed)
# Side impact testing
# Pedestrian protection testing
# Rear impact testing
# Child dummy dynamic crash testing

Points would be awarded to the car based on the safety features in the car like ABS, seat belt reminders, child lock, and Electronic Stability Control.

India has seen more road deaths per year than any other nation since 2006, costing lives at the rate of 230,000 annually. Manufacturers and vehicle safety lobbyists support the retention of the inferior frontal crash test at 56 km/h (34.8 mph).

NHTSA is the standards followed by the US safety standards, carry out frontal crash tests at 64.3 km/h (40 mph).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/ratings-info/frontal-crash-tests|title=About our tests|access-date=20 October 2016|archive-date=8 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008130159/http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/ratings-info/frontal-crash-tests|url-status=dead}}</ref> Under BNCAP, similar to [[Euro NCAP]], vehicles will be crash tested at 64 km/h for frontal impacts which is the average speed in India.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/business/commodities/new-safety-norms-in-oct-2017-carmakers-concerned-over-timing-of-global-ngos-crash-test-results-2802516/|title=New safety norms in Oct 2017: Carmakers concerned over timing of global NGO's crash-test results|author=|date=16 May 2016|publisher=|access-date=15 October 2016}}</ref>

Crash test facilities are being set up and are regularly updated on the official site.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bncap.in/|title=Home|author=|date=|publisher=|accessdate=15 October 2016}}</ref>

Bharat NCAP 2023 is similar to [[Global NCAP]] 2023,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autocarindia.com/auto-features/bharat-ncap-and-global-ncap-differences-and-similarities-explained-429153|title=Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP: differences and similarities explained|website=Autocar India}}</ref> which is based on [[Latin NCAP]] 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.team-bhp.com/news/2022-global-ncap-crash-test-protocols-cars-india|title=2022 Global NCAP crash test protocols for cars in India | Team-BHP|website=Team-BHP.com}}</ref>

== Bharat NCAP 2.0 ==
In February 2025, the Government of India announced that a major upgrade to the testing program will be incorporated starting October 2027.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.ndtv.com/auto/bharat-ncap-to-get-version-2-0-by-october-2027-to-test-adas-integration-7746506 |title=Bharat NCAP To Get Version 2.0 By October 2027; To Test ADAS Integration |author= |work=NDTV |location=India |date=2025-02-19 |access-date=2026-03-06}}</ref> The testing, apart from mandating ADAS requirements, will incorporate the following testing:

* {{cvt|64|km/h|mph|0}} offset frontal impact
* {{cvt|50|km/h|mph|0}} full-width frontal impact
* {{cvt|50|km/h|mph|0}} mobile lateral barrier impact
* {{cvt|32|km/h|mph|0}} oblique pole side impact
* {{cvt|50|km/h|mph|0}} mobile rigid rear impact

The tests will be conducted on a model’s base variant, and the added full-width frontal and rear-impact tests aim to better replicate real-world crashes.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.autocarindia.com/car-news/govt-proposes-bharat-ncap-20-with-wider-crash-tests-and-tougher-ratings-438502 |title=Govt proposes Bharat NCAP 2.0 with wider crash tests and tougher ratings |first=Dhruv |last=Dhaka |work=AutoCar |location=India |date=2025-11-24 |access-date=2026-03-06}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Automotive Industry Standards]]
* [[Bharat stage emission standards]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Official Website|https://www.bncap.in}}
{{Authority control}}
{{NCAP}}

[[Category:New Car Assessment Programs]]
[[Category:Automotive industry in India]]
[[Category:Consumer organisations in India]]
[[Category:Bharat NCAP]]

Bharat NCAP - Revision history

Shivam Babu at 00:14, 6 March 2026