Bharat NCAP Set for Launch Tomorrow August 22, Everything You Need to Know

In the realm of the domestic automotive sector, one aspect that still lacks unified standards is crash test evaluations. Diverse international entities and new car assessment programs (NCAPs), including Global NCAP, Euro NCAP, and Latin NCAP, subject new vehicles to rigorous safety examinations, assigning scores and ratings based on their performance. Rumors regarding India’s own NCAP, named the Bharat NCAP, began circulating online in early 2022. Now, it has been officially confirmed that Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, is slated to inaugurate the Bharat NCAP on August 22, 2023.

What to Anticipate in the Announcement?
Anticipations run high for the Transport Ministry’s disclosure, encompassing not only the particulars and criteria of the Bharat NCAP but also insights into the newly established Indian testing facility. Additionally, it is plausible that one or more Indian automakers might unveil the Bharat NCAP crash test ratings for specific models. Comprehensive insights into the assessment process are also anticipated.

Striving for Global Benchmarks
In the preceding year of 2022, Union Minister Gadkari articulated, “The testing protocol of Bharat NCAP shall be aligned with Global Crash Test Protocols factoring in the existing Indian regulations, allowing OEMs to get their vehicles tested at India’s own in-house testing facilities.”

Bharat NCAP in Focus
The recently introduced Indian crash test assessment program is geared towards appraising safety attributes of vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tonnes or 3500kg. Automotive manufacturers have the option to voluntarily subject their vehicles to assessment under this initiative, according to the proposed Automotive Industry Standards 197 (AIS-197) framework. AIS-197 stipulates that the Bharat NCAP will incorporate evaluations like the offset front impact test, side impact test, and pole side impact test. These evaluations will confer star ratings for both adult occupant protection (AOP) and child occupant protection (COP).

A preceding government document indicated that the ratings might encompass obligatory features such as six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), universal 3-point seatbelts, and advanced emergency braking systems. Consequently, if these features are standard in the vehicles being evaluated, they could potentially earn higher ratings.

Currently Enforced Safety Provisions
At present, all automobiles in India are mandated to include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking assist, front seatbelt reminders, and speed alert systems. The government is actively working to mandate the inclusion of six airbags in cars capable of accommodating up to eight passengers. Concurrently, it is considering the incorporation of specific advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard offerings.