Key Highlights
- Bharat NCAP 2.0 introduces full-frontal and rear impact crash tests.
- Advanced crash-test dummies and driver-assist tech are now part of the evaluation.
- Launch expected in 2027, moving beyond today’s voluntary testing system.
If you’ve ever wondered how safe your car really is, Bharat NCAP is about to give you a much clearer answer. The Indian car safety program is gearing up for its next big leap: Bharat NCAP 2.0, expected in 2027. And this isn’t just a small tweak, it’s a proper upgrade, bringing in crash tests that matter in real life. Full-frontal collisions, rear-end impacts, smarter crash dummies, and driver-assist tech will now all be part of the picture.
The current system, which started in October 2023, focuses on offset frontal impacts, side collisions, side-pole tests, and basic safety features like child restraints. It’s useful, sure but, it only tells part of the story. Bharat NCAP 2.0 is set to go deeper, closer to what actually happens on India’s roads.
What’s new and why it matters?
The biggest change is the full-frontal crash test. Right now, the offset frontal test simulates a partial head-on collision, but the new test will slam a car into a wall head-on, full width. It’s brutal, but it reflects real-world accidents far better.
Then there’s the rear impact test. Tailgating, city traffic, or highway pile-ups and getting hit from behind is common, and now cars will be judged on how well they protect occupants in that scenario.
Bharat NCAP is also upgrading its tools. Next-gen crash-test dummies that mimic real human reactions will replace the old ones, and driver-assist tech like autonomous emergency braking and lane-keeping systems will factor into scores. This is about making safety ratings smarter, not just stricter.
Why you should care?
So far, Bharat NCAP has tested 24 models, and those ratings are already shaping buyer decisions. With full-frontal and rear impact tests in play, automakers will need to think about safety from every angle—not just for the driver, but for all passengers.
The program is still voluntary, but consumer expectations are rising. Safety can no longer be an afterthought; soon, it will be a headline feature.
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