India Introduces New Bharat NCAP Crash-Testing Program

The Indian government has launched a new crash-testing program specifically for its nation, known as the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP). Announced by the nation’s Ministry for Road Transport and Highways, this indigenous car crash test program is aimed to improve road safety and car standards.

Set to be enforced later in Oct 2023, this new crash test program shares a similar name, tests, and scoring system with other crash test programmes like the Global NCAP, ASEAN NCAP and Australasian NCAP. Cars that are sent for testing will be put through various crash test methods, with each of the results will be analysed and given star ratings for two main categories – Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and Child Occupant Protection (COP).

However, Drive.com.au described Bharat NCAP as a ‘watered-down version’ of the aforementioned programmes, featuring lower passing grades or threshold values across its wide range of testing criteria. For reference, a three-star car under the Bharat NCAP must come equipped minimally with an electronic stability control (ESC), while other newer crash test programmes require cars to have more than that to achieve the same three-star rating.

Another notable ‘watered-down’ procedure is for the frontal impact tests, where cars will be driven at up to 64 KM/H speed according to ANCAP procedures. However, the Bharat NCAP will be conducting frontal crash tests at only 50 KM/H maximum speed.

Also similar to both ASEAN NCAP and ANCAP, cars can be voluntarily nominated by automakers to undergo the evaluation process. Aside from that, the Bharat NCAP will also have the authority to randomly select and pick any cars that are on sale in the Indian market for random crash testing – a bid to bring transparency to the procedure.

Regardless of being allegedly ‘watered-down’, the Indian government’s decision to finally introduce its own crash test program is an effort commended by many, as the nation’s roads are oftenly ranked as one of the least safe in the world, with over 150,000 road-related deaths recorded in 2022.

Commenting on the introduction of Bharat NCAP, ANCAP director of communications and advocacy Rhianne Robson told Drive.com.au that “it is great to see a local New Car Assessment Program established for the Indian market.” 

“The tests and scoring methods used by the new Bharat NCAP are fewer and somewhat different to those shared by ANCAP and Euro NCAP, but nevertheless will assist in establishing non-regulatory, consumer-influenced standards for new cars sold in the Indian market,” Robson added.