Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, has introduced the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP).This indigenous star-rating system aims to evaluate the safety of vehicles in the event of a collision, empowering consumers to make informed decisions while purchasing cars.This comprehensive program is set to come into effect from October 1, 2023, and will play a pivotal role in curbing the alarming number of road fatalities in India.
Bharat NCAP
- Under the Bharat NCAP initiative, vehicles, particularly passenger cars, will be subjected to rigorous crash testing procedures, and based on their performance as per protocols laid down in the soon-to-be-published Automotive Industry Standard 197, they will be assigned a safety rating ranging from one to five stars.
- The programme is applicable to passenger vehicles with not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat with gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kgs.
- The test procedure involves Frontal Offset Test, Side Impact Test and Pole-Side Impact Test.
- This rating will provide consumers with a clear indication of a vehicle’s safety standards in the event of a collision.
- Notably, Bharat NCAP is voluntary, encouraging manufacturers to nominate their vehicles for testing, thereby driving the production of safer cars in the Indian market.
Testing Parameters: Bharat NCAP evaluates vehicles based on three crucial parameters
- Adult Occupant Protection: This parameter assesses the level of protection a vehicle offers to adult passengers in the event of a crash.
- Child Occupant Protection: The safety of child occupants is equally vital. This parameter gauges a vehicle’s effectiveness in safeguarding young passengers during collisions.
- Safety Assist Technologies: Modern vehicles are equipped with a range of safety assist technologies. This parameter examines the presence and effectiveness of these technologies in preventing accidents or minimizing their impact.
Mandatory and Recommended Testing: While the Bharat NCAP is voluntary, certain scenarios can trigger mandatory testing:
- Base Model Testing: The base model of a popular variant, with a minimum sale of 30,000 units, may be subjected to testing.
- Ministry Recommendations: If recommended by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways based on market feedback or public safety concerns, certain models might undergo testing.
Evolution and Alignment with Global Standards
- The Bharat NCAP draws inspiration from the Global NCAP, a project initiated by the U.K.-based NGO Towards Zero Foundation.
- The Global NCAP acts as a collaborative platform for new car assessment programs worldwide including countries such as the U.S. which has the world’s oldest crash testing regime since 1978. .
- Over the years, India’s testing protocols have evolved, with more than 50 crash test results published for the Indian market.
- Notably, Tata achieved India’s first 5-star car rating in 2018.