Gone are the days when car manufacturers in India had to indulge in an expensive and time-consuming process of exporting some of their most popular models for crash testing abroad. From October 1, carmakers can volunteer to get their cars crash-tested here in India under an indigenous crash testing program called the Bharat New Car Assessment Program or the BNCAP. A big step towards raising the safety standards of cars in India, here’s all you need to know about Bharat NCAP.
What is Bharat NCAP
The Bharat New Car Assessment Program or the BNCAP is India’s very own car crash testing program that is modelled along the lines of the Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP), which is the project of the UK-based charity Towards Zero Foundation, which aims to promote the global adoption of the United Nations’ vehicle safety standards.
The BNCAP will apply to the M1 category of passenger cars having a gross weight of up to 3,500 kg, carrying up to eight passengers in addition to the driver. The program will test both indigenously manufactured as well as imported cars. In addition to combustion engine cars, the Bharat NCAP will also crash test electric as well as CNG cars.
The Bharat New Car Assessment Program aims to raise the safety standard of cars produced in India to ensure fewer casualties and injuries. Moreover, with India having its very own crash-testing program, the cost of crash-testing vehicles will also be substantially reduced by more than 70%.
When will Bharat NCAP be implemented?
Officially launched by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari alongside representatives of the Global NCAP on August 22, 2023, the Bharat New Car Assessment Program will come into force with effect from 1st October 2023. With this, India will proudly become the fifth global nation to have its very own crash testing program. According to the Ministry, as many as 30 testing requests have already been received, showcasing the positive attitude of carmakers towards the program. Cars tested under Bharat NCAP will have the BNCAP logo along with a sticker showcasing their crash test rating.
What are the testing procedures in Bharat NCAP?
The BNCAP crash testing program will be based on the Automotive Industry Standard 197, which lays down comprehensive guidelines and testing protocols.
Under the Bharat NCAP, a vehicle will be selected by the authority for testing by any one of the following methods:
- Voluntary submission for assessment by OEM
- Selection of a “popular car model” with sales of at least 30,000 units since its introduction in the previous calendar year
- Selection of a model based on the recommendation of the MoRTH based on market feedback and analysis
Much like GNCAP, the BNCAP crash test will also award star ratings between 1 to 5 stars. The crash evaluation of a vehicle will be based on three parameters: Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP) and Onboard Safety Assist Technologies.
These parameters will be tested through three kinds of tests including:
- Frontal impact test at 64 km/h with two adult dummies in the front and two child dummies in the second-row seating position.
- Side impact test at 50 km/h with one adult dummy in the front driving position and two child dummies in the second-row seating position.
- Side pole impact test at 29 km/h with one adult dummy in the front driving position.
Based on the vehicle’s performance on the above-mentioned tests, a separate star rating will be awarded for Adult occupants and Child Occupants.
How are cars rated for safety in Bharat NCAP?
With BNCAP in place, tested vehicle models will be awarded a star safety rating that will showcase the level of safety standards provided by the vehicle. The ratings, as mentioned, will be based on the vehicle’s performance on Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP) and Onboard Safety Assist Technologies.
The distribution of assessment points in various tests under BNCAP and the minimum qualifying points for star rating in both AOP and COP are as follows:
Distribution of Assessment Points | |||
Group | Description of Test | Assessment Points | Maximum Assessment Points |
Adult Occupant Protection | Front Impact Test | 16 | 32
|
Side Impact Test | 16 | ||
Pole Impact Test | Qualifier for 5-Star Rating | ||
Child Occupant Protection | Front Impact Test | 16 | 49
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Side Impact Test | 8 | ||
CRS Installation Checks | 12 | ||
Vehicle-Based Assessments | 13 | ||
Star Rating | Minimum Score Adult Occupant Protection (Front Impact + Side Impact) | Child Occupant Protection |
5 Star | 27 | 41 |
4 Star | 22 | 35 |
3 Star | 16 | 27 |
2 Star | 10 | 18 |
1 Star | 4 | 9 |
In addition to scores obtained by a vehicle in the above-mentioned tests, cars will also be tested for onboard Safety Assist Technologies that will act as qualifiers for the requisite star ratings. The onboard Safety Assist Technologies that will be taken into account for scoring will be
- Electronic Stability Control: A compulsory inclusion for a car to score 3 or more stars.
- Seat Belt Reminder: A compulsory inclusion for a car to score 3/4/5 stars. Not Compulsory for a 1/2 star rating.
- Pedestrian Protection: Compulsory for all cars.
- Side Head Protection System: Compulsory installation of side head protection system to qualify for side impact testing and a 5-star rating. Optional installation in at least one variant of the model for cars manufactured in the year 2022/2023, and compulsory installation for models manufactured in 2024/2025 to qualify for side impact testing and a 4-star rating. Compulsory installation for models manufactured in 2024/2025 to qualify for side impact testing and a 3-star rating.
How to check Bharat NCAP safety rating of new cars?
Come October 1, several cars will be tested under the Bharat New Car Assessment Program. Once a car is taken up for testing, the Bharat NCAP authority will visit the manufacturing plant and will randomly select the base variant for testing.
Once selected, the said model will then be dispatched to the BNCAP testing facility, where the vehicle will be crash tested with OEM representatives and BNCAP officials witnessing the entire process.
The crash results will then be compiled and intimated to the carmaker, which will then be followed by the BNCAP standing committee’s final approval. Once approved the results will be published by BNCAP on its official website and a crash test certificate will be issued by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT). Once the process is set in motion, the Bharat NCAP website will be a one-stop destination for consumers to check the safety ratings of their favourite cars.
FAQ about Bharat NCAP
Q. What is Bharat NCAP?
The Bharat New Car Assessment Program or the BNCAP is India’s very own car crash testing program that is modelled along the lines of the Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP), which is the project of the U.K based charity called the Towards Zero Foundation, which aims to promote the global adoption of the United Nations’ vehicle safety standards.
Q. When will Bharat NCAP be implemented?
Bharat NCAP will come into force on 1st October 2023.
Q. Which cars will be tested by Bharat NCAP?
Bharat NCAP will test the M1 category of passenger cars having a gross weight of up to 3,500 kg, carrying up to eight passengers in addition to the driver. The program will test both indigenously manufactured as well as imported cars. In addition to combustion engine cars, the Bharat NCAP will also crash test electric as well as CNG cars.
Q. Where will the crash test be published?
The Bharat NCAP crash tests will be published on the official website of Bharat NCAP.
