Starting 1 October, Cars To Get Star Rating Based On Crash Test Performance

The Union government has issued draft notification on Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP), which proposes awarding 'Star Ratings' to automobiles based on their performance in crash tests.

"The Bharat New Car Assessment Programme shall be applicable on the Type Approved vehicles of category M1, manufactured or imported in the country as specified in the Programme made by the Central Government in this regard," the draft notification issued by the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways said.

The government aims to bring the programme into effect from 1 October 2023.

Bharat NCAP

BNCAP is designed to provide a fair, meaningful and objective assessment of crash safety performance of cars on the basis of standard laboratory tests as per Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 197 .

BNCAP shall be a voluntary programme, except otherwise stated in the vehicle selection guideline monitored by the ministry.

The overall assessment is based on the performance of the vehicle model when evaluated under three areas of assessment, namely, Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), and Safety Assist Technologies (SAT).

Procedure

Under BNCAP, manufacturers or importers of motor vehicles will be required to submit an application in FORM 70-A to the agency designated by the central government. This agency will get the vehicle star rated in accordance with the AIS-197, as amended from time to time.

The manufacturer or the importer shall bear the cost of the motor vehicle for the purpose of assessment as well as the cost of the assessment.

"The designated agency shall select any of the testing agencies, referred to in Rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, for the assessment of the vehicles selected in sub-rule. The manufacturer or importer shall send the selected vehicles to the selected testing agency. The testing agency shall evaluate the vehicles as per AIS-197 and submit the assessment report to the designated agency as per FORM 70-B," the draft said.

The star rating of the vehicle shall be uploaded on the designated portal by the designated agency.