BHARAT NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM – POLITY

News: Bharat NCAP: India gets its own car crash testing programme

 

What's in the news?

       The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has rolled out an indigenous star-rating system for crash testing cars.

       Called the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), the rating system will be voluntary and will come into effect from October 1, 2023.

 

Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP):

       Under the new system, the vehicles will be assigned between one to five stars indicating their safety in a collision.

       The programme is applicable to passenger vehicles with not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat with gross vehicle weight not exceeding 3,500 kgs.

 

Features:

       The test procedure involves Frontal Offset Test, Side Impact Test and Pole-Side Impact Test.

       This rating will provide consumers with a clear indication of a vehicle's safety standards in the event of a collision.

       Notably, Bharat NCAP is voluntary, encouraging manufacturers to nominate their vehicles for testing, thereby driving the production of safer cars in the Indian market.

 

Parameters:

       Adult occupant protection

       Child occupant protection

       Safety assist technologies present in the car.

Challenges:

       Diverse road conditions

       Affordability and market dynamics

       Variety of vehicles

       Consumer and their preferences