The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification dated 24th June 2022, whereby it is proposed to  insert a new rule 126E in CMVR (Central Motor Vehicles Rules), 1989 regarding the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP). The following has been proposed :-

(a)  It 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, as amended from time to time.  The standard is  aligned with global benchmarks: it is beyond minimum regulatory requirements.

(b) Bharat NCAP rating will provide consumers an indication of the level of protection offered to  occupants by evaluating the vehicle in the areas 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.

It  introduces the concept of safety rating of passenger cars and empowers  consumers to take informed decisions. It will promote export worthiness of the cars produced by OEMs in the country and increase the domestic customer’s confidence in these vehicles . Additionally the program will encourage manufacturers to provide advanced safety technologies to earn higher ratings.

(c) 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.

(d)  Date of Applicability: 1st day of April 2023.

    Comments and suggestions  have been solicited from all stakeholders within a period of thirty days.

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MJPS