The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued G.S.R.  464(E) dated 28th June, 2023, of draft rule 126E in CMVR (Central Motor Vehicles Rules), 1989 regarding the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP) for comments/suggestions. The following has been proposed: -

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. 

The detailed procedure regarding vehicle selection, testing protocol etc. is covered in AIS-197. The testing of the selected vehicles shall be undertaken in the testing agencies referred in Rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

The Testing Agency shall evaluate the vehicles as per AIS-197 and submit the Assessment Report to the Designated Agency as per FORM 70-B. On examination and approval of the Assessment Report, the star rating of the vehicle shall be uploaded on the designated portal by the Designated Agency.

However, nothing in this rule shall be applicable to vehicles exempted by the Central Government from Type Approval requirements as per Rule 126 or Conformity of Production requirements of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.

As per the draft notification, it is to be effective from the 1st day of October, 2023.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.

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MJPS/NSK