The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a notification on 24th June 2022, whereby it has been proposed to insert a new rule 126E in CMVR (Central Motor Vehicles Rules), 1989 regarding the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP). It introduces the concept of safety rating of passenger cars and empowers consumers to take informed decisions.
BNCAP is applicable on Type Approved motor vehicles of category M1 [motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats, in addition to driver’s seat] with gross vehicle weight less than 3.5 Tonnes, manufactured or imported in the country, in accordance with the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS)-197. The standard is aligned with global benchmarks: it is beyond minimum regulatory requirements.
Bharat NCAP rating provides a star rating to motor vehicles, which will enable consumers to evaluate the level of protection offered to occupants in motor vehicles in the fields of (a) Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) (b) Child Occupant Protection (COP) and (c) Safety Assist Technologies (SAT). The vehicle shall be assigned a star rating from one to five stars, based on scoring against various tests undertaken as per AIS 197.
Additionally, the program will encourage manufacturers to provide advanced safety technologies to earn higher ratings.
- The testing of vehicles for this program will be carried out at Testing Agencies, with the necessary infrastructure, referred to in Rule 126 of CMVR 1989.
- It will be implemented from the 1st day of April, 2023.
