Why in news?
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has released draft guidelines for Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) 2.0. The proposal, open for public comments, expands the safety rating system for cars sold in India by introducing new tests, higher scoring thresholds and measures to protect pedestrians and motorcyclists.
Background
The current Bharat NCAP, launched in 2023, rates cars based on adult occupant protection (AOP), child occupant protection (COP) and safety assist technologies. Vehicles undergo frontal offset, side impact and pole impact tests at set speeds, and earn up to five stars depending on their performance. The voluntary ratings encourage manufacturers to improve structural integrity and fit features like airbags and ABS.
What’s new in the draft?
- Five assessment pillars: The scheme now considers Safe Driving, Accident Avoidance, Crash Protection, Vulnerable Road User Protection and Post‑Crash Safety. Each pillar carries weightages of 10%, 10%, 55%, 20% and 5% respectively, making the total score out of 100.
- Additional crash tests: Two new tests – a full‑width frontal crash and a rear impact test – complement the existing three tests. These evaluate how the vehicle’s structure and seat systems behave under broader impact scenarios.
- Pedestrian safety: A separate assessment measures the risk of injury to pedestrians and cyclists. It looks at bonnet design, bumper compliance and options like Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) that detect vulnerable road users.
- Electronic Stability Control: ESC becomes a mandatory requirement for eligibility. Vehicles lacking ESC cannot be rated beyond a certain level, encouraging manufacturers to adopt the technology.
- Higher thresholds: The star rating cut‑offs will rise over time. For example, a five‑star rating will require at least 70 points for vehicles manufactured between 2027 and 2029, and 80 points from 2029 onwards.
Significance
- Road safety: India has one of the world’s highest rates of road fatalities. Stricter crash tests and attention to pedestrians can reduce injuries and deaths.
- Consumer awareness: Transparent ratings empower buyers to choose safer vehicles, putting pressure on automakers to improve designs.
- Alignment with global standards: Bharat NCAP 2.0 brings Indian testing closer to protocols used in Europe and Australia, facilitating exports and enabling adoption of advanced safety technologies.
Conclusion
The draft Bharat NCAP 2.0 marks a step towards safer roads by broadening the scope of vehicle assessments. As automakers and consumers adapt to higher expectations, the initiative could save thousands of lives and stimulate innovation in the automotive sector.
Source: IT,
