Bharat NCAP 2.0 2025, Draft, Full Form, Protocols, Framework

Bharat NCAP 2.0 is a revised vehicle safety rating framework proposed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). It expands the earlier Bharat NCAP system with new crash tests, vulnerable road user protection and post crash safety. The draft also raises star rating thresholds and gives greater importance to active safety technologies, pedestrians and two wheeler users.

Bharat NCAP 2.0 Latest News

Recently, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that Bharat NCAP 2.0 is planned for rollout by the end of 2027. The programme is scheduled to come into effect from October 2027.

What is Bharat NCAP 2.0 2025?

Bharat NCAP stands for Bharat New Car Assessment Programme. It is India’s vehicle safety rating system for assessing the crashworthiness and safety technologies of vehicles sold in India. It aims to strengthen vehicle safety standards, improve occupant protection and encourage advanced safety technologies through a broader testing framework.

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Bharat NCAP 2023

Bharat NCAP was implemented from October 1, 2023, as an India specific voluntary vehicle safety certification programme. It provides one to five star ratings under Automotive Industry Standard AIS 197 and covers passenger vehicles with up to eight seats besides the driver and gross vehicle weight up to 3,500 kg.

Bharat NCAP 2023 Framework

The Framework and Protocols of the Bharat NCAP 2023 has been discussed below:

• Three Assessment Parameters: The 2023 programme assessed Adult Occupant Protection, Child Occupant Protection and Safety Assist Technologies to measure vehicle safety during crashes and the availability of safety systems.
• Crash Tests: The protocol included frontal offset, side impact and pole side impact tests at specified speeds. These tests examined the crashworthiness of vehicles and protection offered to occupants.
• Voluntary Framework: Manufacturers could nominate vehicles for testing. The Ministry could also recommend testing based on market feedback or public safety concerns. Base models of popular variants with at least 30,000 sales could also face testing.
• Validity: Bharat NCAP 2023 is an India specific safety certification programme valid until September 30, 2027. Its framework was designed to encourage safer vehicle production and informed consumer choices.
• Global Alignment: Bharat NCAP draws from global vehicle assessment practices. Global NCAP was initiated by the U.K. based Towards Zero Foundation. More than 50 crash test results for the Indian market had been published over time.

Bharat NCAP 2.0 Features

The Bharat NCAP 2.0 Draft expands safety assessment from three to five verticals and introduces new standards covering crash protection, road users, accident avoidance and post crash safety.

• Five Assessment Pillars: The framework covers Safe Driving at 10%, Accident Avoidance at 10%, Crash Protection at 55%, Vulnerable Road User Protection at 20% and Post Crash Safety at 5%.
• Expanded Crash Tests: Crash Protection includes frontal impact, side impact, oblique pole and two new tests. These are the full width frontal impact test and rear impact test.
• Occupant Injury Assessment: Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATDs) will assess potential injuries to adult and child occupants across required crash scenarios. This provides structured injury measurements during different impact conditions.
• Vulnerable Road Users: Pedestrian and two wheeler safety receive greater emphasis. Testing includes pedestrian legform assessment and adult and child head impact tests. Optional checks can assess autonomous braking for pedestrians and motorcyclists.
• Active Safety Technology: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) becomes mandatory for eligibility for the star rating programme. Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEBS) can be voluntarily offered for additional assessment and points.
• Mandatory Safety Equipment: The revised framework proposes curtain airbags as a requirement for receiving a Bharat NCAP rating. Vehicles equipped with side facing seats will not be eligible for a rating.
• Post Crash Safety: The new vertical examines fire and electrical safety after crashes. It also checks whether occupants can escape easily through doors and release seat belt buckles.
• Higher Star Thresholds: A five star rating will require at least 70 out of 100 points during 2027-2029. The threshold will rise to 80 points during 2029-2031.
• Zero Score Condition: A vehicle scoring zero in any of the five assessment verticals will not qualify for a five star rating. The rule seeks balanced performance across different aspects of vehicle safety.
• Testing Cost: Global NCAP testing costs around Rs 2.5 crore per model, while Bharat NCAP testing costs about Rs 16 lakh per model. Local testing can therefore reduce the testing cost substantially.
• Safety and Exports: More than 30 vehicles have been tested under Bharat NCAP so far. The programme has also been linked with improved safety standards and the global competitiveness of India made vehicles.

Bharat NCAP 2.0 Challenges

Bharat NCAP 2.0 can strengthen vehicle safety, but implementation must address affordability, diverse road conditions, consumer awareness and differences across vehicle categories.

• Diverse Road Conditions: Indian vehicles operate on congested urban roads, highways and poorly maintained rural roads. The framework must ensure that safety assessments remain relevant across these different operating conditions.
• Affordability: Advanced safety technologies can increase vehicle costs. Manufacturers will need cost effective solutions that improve safety without making safer vehicles unaffordable for price sensitive consumers.
• Vehicle Diversity: India has compact cars, SUVs and other vehicle categories with different designs and crash characteristics. Testing methods must remain suitable for this wide range of vehicles.
• Consumer Awareness: Safety ratings can influence purchasing decisions only when consumers understand them. Wider public awareness can help shift attention towards crash protection and safety technologies alongside price and features.
• Safety Research: Collaborative safety research and development hubs involving manufacturers and academic institutions can address India specific road safety challenges and support development of suitable technologies.
• Insurance Linkage: Insurance companies can develop a vehicle safety score based on NCAP ratings. Displaying such information in advertisements and dealerships can make vehicle safety more visible to consumers.
• Road Safety Awareness: Public safety campaigns and safety themed art near accident prone locations can improve awareness about responsible driving and the importance of vehicle safety.