Bharat NCAP 2.0, set for implementation by 2027, will introduce ADAS testing with India-specific adaptations, enhancing vehicle safety and reducing driver-related accidents.

For years, vehicular safety in India was often overlooked, but growing customer awareness has shifted the focus towards safer mobility. Bharat NCAP, India’s dedicated crash safety testing program, was launched on October 1, 2023, and is now set to evolve with stricter testing protocols under Bharat NCAP 2.0. The updated program will introduce ADAS testing to enhance road safety.

Expanding Safety Standards

Bharat NCAP was established to assess the crash performance of passenger vehicles, and since its launch, it has tested models such as the Tata Harrier, Safari, Curvv, Nexon, Citroen Basalt, Hyundai Tucson, Skoda Kushaq, Mahindra Thar Roxx, BE 6, and XUV 9e. Now, the ARAI has confirmed plans to update Bharat NCAP’s testing criteria to include ADAS assessment.

The upgraded protocol, Bharat NCAP 2.0, is expected to be implemented by 2027 after ARAI sets up a dedicated ADAS testing facility on an 18-acre site near Pune. Ujjwala Karle, Deputy Director at ARAI, stated that efforts are being made to adapt ADAS testing for Indian driving conditions. She emphasized that these systems should not just be available but also fine-tuned to function effectively in real-world Indian scenarios.

ADAS in India

ADAS features, such as lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, are increasingly being offered in affordable models from Hyundai, Tata, Honda, Mahindra, Kia, and MG. However, integrating these systems for Indian roads remains a challenge. Many drivers turn off ADAS features due to inconsistent performance in local conditions. Bharat NCAP 2.0 aims to address these issues by developing localized testing parameters.

Currently, India witnesses around 4.8 lakh road accidents annually, resulting in 1.72 lakh fatalities, with driver error contributing to nearly 80% of these cases. ARAI’s initiative to refine ADAS standards under Bharat NCAP 2.0 is expected to improve vehicle safety and make advanced driver assistance technology more accessible.

Bharat NCAP’s Role

Initially launched in April 2023, Bharat NCAP follows Global NCAP standards and provides safety ratings for passenger vehicles based on crash performance. The program also boosts the export potential of Indian-made cars by aligning them with international safety norms. With Bharat NCAP 2.0, the focus will now shift towards incorporating active safety technologies to reduce accidents and improve overall road safety in India.