The proposal for an India-specific norm for assessing vehicular safety in collision

The government approved a Draft GSR (general statutory rules) notification seeking comments on a proposal to introduce the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat-NCAP).

• The introduction of the Bharat NCAP would entail giving vehicles a star rating based on their performance in crash tests.
• The voluntary programme aligns existing test regulations at home with global crash testing protocols. 

What is Bharat NCAP?

• It is a new car safety assessment programme(NCAP).
• It proposes a mechanism of awarding ‘Star Ratings’ to automobiles based upon their performance in crash tests.
• The proposed assessment will allocate Star Ratings from 1 to 5 stars.
  

• BNCAP standard is aligned with global benchmarks and it is beyond minimum regulatory requirements.
• Rollout: BNCAP will be rolled out from April 1, 2023.
• Applicability: It will be applicable on type-approved motor vehicles of category M1 with gross vehicle weight less than 3.5 tonnes, manufactured or imported in the country.
  • M1 category motor vehicles are used for the carriage of passengers, comprising eight seats, in addition to driver’s seat.

 How would the vehicles be evaluated?  

• Parameters: Bharat NCAP would assign vehicles between one and five stars on parameters such as
  • Adult Occupant Protection (AOP)
  • Child Occupant Protection (COP)
  • Safety Assist Technologies (SAT)

• It would study frontal impact, side impact and the possibility of a door opening up after a crash.
• The major change proposed with the Bharat NCAP is the speed for frontal offset crash testing – at 64 kmph in comparison to the existing tests conducted at 56 kmph.

 Why does India need to crash-test vehicles?

• Indian vehicles have historically not been crash-tested in the country.
• Despite being home to only 1% of the world’s vehicles, India shoulders 11% of the global road crash fatality burden, according to the non-profit Save Life Foundation.

Why safety is not the priority?

• Structural issues: Vehicles sold in India are often sub-par in terms of safety features like? the requisite?number?of?airbags, and have unstable structures, unable to protect their occupants in the event of a road crash.
• More focus on price: Price sensitive market allows car makers to focus on price than safety because Indians prefer budget friendly vehicles.
• Lack of regulation: India’s Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) mandate a safety and performance assessment. However, this does not involve a crash test rating.

Expected Benefits

• Export worthiness: It is intended to increase the export-worthiness of vehicles and competition on safety parameters among manufacturers, as well as instill consumer confidence in their safety.
• Reduction in road accidents: India aims to reduce road accidents and deaths by 50 percent by 2030.
• Passenger safety: It will ensure structural and passenger safety in cars.
• Help in making India atmanirbhar: This program will make automobile industry in India Atma Nirbhar and will make India the top automobile hub worldwide.

Summing Up

The proposed move follows India’s focus on “zero tolerance for road accidents”. India is striving to reduce road accidents by 50% by the year 2025.

Bharat NCAP rating criteria would emerge as a turning point in the domestic automotive sector in terms of product, technology and safety, since it would provide a platform that would test vehicular safety as per Indian conditions.