Lok Sabha Question No. 1912 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-14
Subject: Bharat New Car Assessment Programme
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Su Thirunavukkarasar, Ravneet Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1912 ANSWERED ON 14 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## BHARAT NEW CAR ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME

## 1912.  SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU: SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched/ proposes to launch Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP);
- (b) if  so,  the  details  along  with  its  features  thereof  and  the  reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Bharat  NCAP  programme  would  help  in  pushing  the safety and quality of vehicles in the country, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the new car ratings would help the people to go for much safer ones and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the benefits likely to accrue to the Car owners by the introduction of BNCAP by the Government; and
- (f) the time by which the BNCAP is likely to be launched?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a)  to  (f)  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and  Highways  vide  G.S.R.   698(E) dated 27th September, 2023 has inserted a new rule 126E in CMVR (Central Motor Vehicles Rules), 1989 regarding the Bharat  New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP). The following has been prescribed:-

'126E.  Bharat  new  car  assessment  programme. -  (1)The  car  assessment programme  under  this  rule  shall  be  applicable  on  the  type  approved vehicles of category M1, manufactured or imported in the country on or after  the  1st day  of  October,  2023.  Further, BNCAP shall  be  a  voluntary program monitored by the Agency.

(2) On and from the 1st day of October 2023, the manufacturer or importer of  motor  vehicles  shall  submit  an  application  in  FORM  70A,  to  the designated  agency,  designated  by  the  Central  Government  to  get  their motor  vehicle  examined  and  assessed  for  star  rating  in  accordance with AIS:197.

(3) The cost of the motor vehicle for the purpose of assessment for star rating and the cost of such assessment shall be borne by the respective manufacturer or importer.

(4) The motor vehicles for the purpose of assessment shall be randomly selected by the designated agency, from the premises of the manufacturer, importer, or authorised  dealer of the manufacturer  or  importer,  in accordance with AIS-197.

(5) The designated agency shall select any of the testing agency, referred to in rule 126, for the assessment of the vehicles selected in sub-rule (2).

(6) The manufacturer or importer shall send the selected vehicles to the testing agency selected under sub-rule(4).

(7) The testing agency shall evaluate the vehicles in accordance with AIS197 and submit the assessment report to the designated agency in FORM 70B.

(8) On examination and approval of the assessment report, the star rating of the vehicle shall be uploaded on the designated portal by the designated agency:

(9) Nothing in this rule shall apply to a vehicle exempted under rule 126.'.

The programme introduces the concept of safety rating of passenger cars and empowers consumers to take informed decisions. It enhances export worthiness  of the cars produced  by  OEMs  in  the  country. Additionally  the  programme  also  encourages  manufacturers  to  provide advanced safety technologies to earn higher ratings.

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