The Fact News Service
Ludhiana, April 3
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP) to evaluate the crash safety performance in terms of star rating for M1 category (Category M1 means a motor vehicle used for carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat) vehicles with Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) less than or equal to 3500 kg. This is a voluntary programme.
This has been stated by the Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari in an answer to questions on `Implementation of Bharat NCAP for vehicle safety’ asked by MP (Rajya Sabha) from Ludhiana Sanjeev Arora in the ongoing Session of Rajya Sabha.
In a statement here today, Arora said the Minister further mentioned in his answer that BNCAP rating will provide consumers an indication of the level of protection offered to the occupant/s by evaluating the vehicle in the areas of Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection(COP) and Safety Assist Technologies (SAT) based on requirements prescribed in Automotive Industry Standard (AIS)-197.
As of March 17, 2025, under the Bharat NCAP Programme, a total of 14 vehicle models from various vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have been awarded a star safety rating. While giving the details of the star rating the Minister answered that the number of vehicle models awarded with 5 star rating for Adult Occupants Protection (AOP)/ Child Occupant Protection (COP) are 13. Number of vehicle models awarded with 4 star rating for Adult Occupants Protection (AOP)/ Child Occupant Protection (COP) is 1. The details of the star safety rating awarded to the vehicle models are published on the official website of Bharat NCAP.
Arora had asked whether the government is considering tax incentives for consumers purchasing 5-star safety-rated vehicles, if so, the details thereof. In reply, the Minister answered that no such proposal is under consideration.
