Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Bharat NCAP 2.0 to Assess India’s Entire Vehicle Safety Chain
India plans to create a new version of its vehicle safety testing programme.
It is called Bharat NCAP 2.0.
The government says it could begin in October 2027.
Unlike the current programme, it will examine the entire safety chain.
This means safety will be looked at more broadly than just how a car performs in a crash.
Minister Nitin Gadkari said road accidents are a very serious problem in India.
The minister also announced a possible device to reduce pollution from some older vehicles.
The device could make emissions from BS IV vehicles similar to those from BS VI vehicles and may cost Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000.
The government plans to launch Bharat NCAP 2.0 from October 2027.
The new programme will evaluate the entire vehicle safety chain.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said road accidents remain a major problem in India.
A proposed retrofit device could bring emissions from BS IV vehicles to BS VI levels.
The emission-control device is expected to cost between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000.
- Who
- The Indian government and Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.
- What
- Plans for Bharat NCAP 2.0 and a scheme for retrofitting BS IV vehicles with an emission-control device.
- When
- Bharat NCAP 2.0 is planned for October 2027; the announcements were made at the 66th SIAM Annual Convention 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To address the country's severe road-accident problem and reduce emissions from BS IV-compliant vehicles.
- Planned launch
- October 2027
- Current programme
- Bharat NCAP was launched in 2013.
- Current safety ratings
- The programme crash-tests passenger cars and assigns ratings from one to five stars.
- Bharat NCAP 2.0 scope
- The entire vehicle safety chain will be evaluated.
- Emission device
- Trials have been completed for a device designed to reduce particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.
- Estimated device cost
- Rs 4,000-5,000.
- Vehicle compatibility
- The proposed retrofit is intended for BS IV-compliant vehicles.