The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a draft notification for the revision of the Bharat NCAP crash test norms, introducing a more stringent safety testing framework. Called Bharat NCAP 2.0, the new proposed assessment will now be based on five pillars: crash protection, vulnerable road-user protection, safe driving, accident avoidance and post-crash safety.
Bharat NCAP 2.0: What New Changes Are Proposed
MoRTH’s new proposal restructures Bharat NCAP into a 100-point scoring system divided across five pillars: –
- Crash Protection – 55%
- Vulnerable Road-User Protection – 20%
- Safe Driving – 10%
- Accident Avoidance – 10%
- Post-Crash Safety – 5%
To qualify for any star rating under Bharat NCAP 2.0, ESC and curtain airbags will now be mandatory, though AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) remains optional. Cars equipped with side-facing seats, like the Mahindra Bolero, won’t be eligible for a rating at all.
Under the proposed draft, scoring a 5-star will require a minimum of 70 points from 2027 to 2029, increasing to 80 points from 2029 to 2031, along with mandatory minimum scores under each pillar.
Also Read: Kia Syros Secures 5-Star Safety Rating in Bharat NCAP Crash Tests
New Crash Test Framework
The scope will now be extended to five crash tests, including the full-width and rear-impact tests.
- Offset frontal impact test at 64kmph
- Full-width frontal impact test at 50kmph
- Mobile lateral barrier impact test at 50kmph
- Oblique pole side impact test at 32kmph
- Mobile rigid rear impact test at 50kmph
All of these crash tests will be performed on the model’s base variant.
When will These New Crash Test Norms Be Implemented?
As of now, the proposal/draft is open for comments. It is planned to replace the current protocols in October 2027.
