Bharat NCAP: Indian safety ratings for cars explained

What is Global NCAP?

The global new car assessment programme was founded in 2011 and its primary focus has been a campaign called #safercarforIndia and #safercarsforAfrica. This programme aims to push manufacturers to make safer cars for various markets, like India, on par with what is sold in Western countries.

What are the testing procedures and requirements for BNCAP?

Like GNCAP, the Bharat NCAP aims to assess cars on certain set standards and parameters and provides a star-based safety rating of cars, with 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest. The crash test programme rates cars on three parameters:

• Adult occupant protection
• Child occupant protection
• Fitment of safety features

The results of these tests are further divided into:

• Offset front impact performance
• Side impact performance
• Side pole impact performance

What is crash test? How is a vehicle selected for crash test?

Crash test, as the name suggests, involves crashing a car under controlled conditions with sophisticated equipment and technology. The idea is to enhance the safety of a car, and ultimately its occupants, by creating real-world accident-like scenarios. During the crash test, the selected model is crashed at a set speed at the test facility. There are crash test dummies inside the vehicle fitted with sensors that provide various data about the crash. We had a chance to see a crash test live and here is what we discovered.

In the case of the BNCAP, a manufacturer voluntarily submits its models for assessment. This is done by two criteria: first, the car must have sold at least 30,000 units since its launch in the previous calendar year. Second, this model selection is also done on the recommendation of MoRTH. These tests are carried out at 64kmph for offset front impact, 50kmph for side impact, and 29kmph for side pole impact test. Out of these, the last test is only conducted on cars that have scored three stars and above in the first two tests. In terms of the car’s safety features, to qualify for a three-star rating, all test vehicles must be fitted with ESC and seatbelt reminders.

Officially BNCAP states the following for each level of star rating

5-star safety rating (Overall excellent performance)

ESC, pedestrian protection, side-head protection under side impact and seatbelt reminder

4-star safety rating (Overall good performance)

ESC, pedestrian protection, side head protection under side impact and seatbelt reminder

3-star safety rating (Overall good performance)

ESC, pedestrian protection, side head protection under side impact and seatbelt reminder

2-star safety rating (Nominal performance)

No optional fitment or safety assistance technologies

1-star safety rating (Marginal performance)

Performance just above regulatory limits with optional fitment or safety assist technologies

Scores for each star rating (Maximum score: 32 for adults & 49 for children)

Official requirements for car crash testing by Bharat NCAP

• Cars must be nominated by the respective automakers.
• The cars for the crash test are selected at random by BNCAP authorities from the automaker’s facilities.
• It is the responsibility of the automaker to ensure the car reaches the BNCAP facility.
• The crash test process is carried out in the presence of the automaker’s representatives and BNCAP officials.
• All results are shared with the automaker.
• Official results are published on the BNCAP website and a certificate is issued by the Central government.

What cars have undergone Bharat NCAP crash tests so far?

At the time of writing this feature, the Tata Safari and the Harrier were the first cars to be tested and both of them have scored a five-star rating of 30.08/32 in adult protection and 44.54/49 in child protection. In addition, the Punch EV, also from Tata, scored 31.46/32 and 45/49 points for adult occupant protection (AOP) and child occupant protection (COP), respectively, and the Nexon EV scored 29.86/32 and 44.95/49 points for AOP and COP, respectively. Sources indicate that as of May 1, 2024, 60 cars across various manufacturers have served themselves up for crash test rating.

What’s the difference between BNCAP and GNCAP?

In the BNCAP, adult occupant protection has a maximum score of 32 points as opposed to GNCAP which has a maximum score of 36 points for the same. GNCAP also gives two additional points for seatbelt reminders which BNCAP doesn’t. However, all vehicles aiming for a three-star rating or more must have seatbelt reminders for front occupants.

Rise of Car Safety Features

With people becoming more aware of car safety, manufacturers are providing various safety features as standard in their cars. In fact, India already has two airbags mandatory for all cars. Then there are safety features like electronic stability control, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, front collision warning, and tyre pressure monitor, to name a few, which have become the norm these days.

One of the major factors that will affect future NCAP crash test ratings not just in India but around the world is the advent of driver assistance systems or ADAS. In fact, Japan has now become one of the first countries in the world to incorporate ADAS into its score and rewards cars for achieving a high score in this regard.

How does Bharat NCAP impact my life as a vehicle owner?

In the most basic way, it is down to the fact that a safe car is safer for me and my family and friends. Put simply, if the car takes more of the impact in a crash, then there is a lesser threat to the life of its occupants. India has the distinction of having some of the worst road safety statistics in the world year-on-year. Anything that can improve that is a step, like BNCAP, that should be welcomed with open arms even if it means that there has been at least a five-fold jump in car prices in the last decade.