India is kicking car safety into top gear with Bharat NCAP 2.0: What you need to know
Bharat NCAP is set to evolve with its second phase, Bharat NCAP 2.0, planned for October 2027. This revised framework will assess vehicle safety across multiple stages, including crash avoidance and post-collision care. The new system promises to go beyond just occupant protection to include vulnerable road users as well. Adult and child occupant protection will remain critical components of the…
India is set to transform car safety ratings with the upcoming Bharat NCAP 2.0, slated for launch in October 2027. The proposed system aims to go beyond the immediate impact of a crash and analyze the entire safety chain, from preventing collisions to protecting occupants, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users, and the aftermath of an accident.
Union road transport minister Nitin Gadkari announced the timeline during the SIAM Annual Convention in September 2026. The second phase, part of the first phase of Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP), is in development as the current cycle ends.
Bharat NCAP, launched by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in August 2023, is India's own vehicle crash-testing and safety-rating program. Initially operational since October 1, 2023, the program is voluntary for manufacturers to participate with eligible passenger vehicles in the M1 category, weighing less than 3.5 tonnes.
Anchored by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) and tested by designated agencies with necessary facilities, Bharat NCAP offers a star rating between one and five, beyond mere regulatory compliance. The current framework assesses adult occupant protection, child occupant protection, and safety assist technologies through predefined crash tests.
The current Bharat NCAP system evaluates three key areas: Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), and Safety Assist Technologies (SAT). Adult Occupant Protection examines injury risks in various crash scenarios and seating positions. Child Occupant Protection focuses on the safety of young passengers and the effectiveness of child restraint systems.
Safety Assist Technologies covers technologies to prevent or lessen crash severity. Each category ensures a comprehensive safety assessment beyond standard crash test results.
Why are adult and child safety evaluated separately? Manufacturers may offer different levels of protection for adults and children, so Bharat NCAP assesses them individually. The adult assessment focuses on occupant protection during specific crash situations, while the child assessment evaluates the effectiveness of younger occupants' protection and child restraint systems.
This approach provides a detailed safety profile for consumers, going beyond the star rating to reflect comprehensive safety performance across multiple parameters.
Who conducts the testing? Bharat NCAP is led by CIRT, with testing carried out by designated agencies equipped with the necessary facilities. The broader testing network includes organizations like the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT). Manufacturers submit eligible vehicles for evaluation, and the testing adheres to specified procedures regarding model variants, ensuring the rating applies only to tested variants.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
