Bharat New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) Introduced

India finally has its own crash test program! Called the Bharat NCAP (Bharat New Car Assessment Program), the newly implemented crash test program is in line with the global standards of the Global NCAP. So instead of carmakers sending their vehicles abroad for a crash test, those tests will be carried out on our shores itself. The program will kick into action from October 1 and will test vehicles on a voluntary basis as submitted by the car manufacturers. 

Here’s what you need to know about it:

An overview

The assessment protocol is nearly identical to the global standards with minor modifications to the final score calculations. Cars will be crash tested for various parameters and will be scrutinised based on adult (AOP) and child protection (COP) rating. The crash test procedures will include the usual Offset Deformable Barrier Frontal Impact, Side Impact, and Pole Impact tests.

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In line with other NCAPs, the Bharat NCAP will follow a star-based rating system based on points scored in the respective assessments. Five stars will be the maximum and best rating possible, while zero will be the exact opposite of it. Cars failing to score three or higher stars won’t be subjected to the pole side impact test.

Like the Global NCAP, the Bharat NCAP also has plans to update itself regularly to stay ahead of the basic regulatory requirements to push for safer cars. On this topic, potential plans were shared to introduce safety ratings specifically for alternative fuel and electric vehicles as well. There are even a few prospective tests that could arrive later on and could include Oblique Pole Side Impact test, Rear Impact protection and Full Frontal Crash test.

Vehicle types to be tested

Bharat NCAP will carry out the tests on a voluntary basis. Vehicles falling under the M1 category, which includes seating of eight occupants excluding the driver, will be eligible for these tests. The cap for vehicle weight is 3,500kg. 

Instead of testing the top-spec models with all the safety amenities, the tests will be carried out on the base-spec models of vehicles with total sales of 30,000 units in the previous calendar year. In case the vehicle is updated later down the line, the carmaker can request for a retest as well.

Safer Cars For India

During the presentation of the Bharat NCAP, it was iterated multiple times that quality is an important factor considered by buyers, even when you include the sensitivity to costs. Affordability can no longer be the final argument when it comes to making cars safer for everyone. The Bharat NCAP ratings will allow users to make their purchase decisions in an informed manner as the published scores will be present on the vehicle in the form of a sticker, quite like the electricity efficiency ratings on household appliances. It was also revealed that over 30 models from various brands are already lined up to get their vehicles tested and rated by Bharat NCAP.

Also Read: Here Are The 10 Safest Cars That We Tested This Year

The Nitin Gadkari-headed Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has always had strong commitments towards improving road safety, both in terms of infrastructure and vehicle design. Their actions, which have included implementation of stricter norms for carmakers and making a few safety features as a standard fitment in recent times, are a testament to their push for safer mobility. With the implementation of Bharat NCAP, that nudge for safer mobility will take a huge step forward.