Lok Sabha Question No. 1193 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-08
Subject: Hazards from High-Beam Lights in Residential Premises
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1193

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025

## Hazards from High-Beam Lights in Residential Premises

## 1193.   SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the use of high-beam LED and floodlights in residential and commercial premises causes glare, light pollution, and health issues to humans and animals;
- (b) if so, whether any scientific studies have been conducted on the ecological and health hazards caused by high-intensity artificial lighting;
- (c) whether guidelines or regulations exist to control the brightness and direction of outdoor lighting in urban areas across the country;
- (d) whether the Bureau of Energy Efficiency or the Central Pollution Control Board has proposed any standards or penalties for non-compliance; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor and the timeframe by which the Government intends to notify specific rules to prevent light pollution and safeguard human and animal wellbeing?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) to (e): This does not come under the purview of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate  Change  and  Central  Pollution  Control  Board.  However,  the  Ministry  of  Road Transport and Highways, Indian Road Congress and Bureau of Indian Standards have prepared regulations, standards/codes in regard to outdoor lighting.  The details are as below:

- (i) Motor Vehicle (Driving) Regulation, 2017 notified under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, provides for vehicle lighting which mandates that  no  driver  shall  use  high  beam  inappropriately  or  for  long duration  or  on  well-lit  roads.  High  beam  shall  be  dipped  in  good  time  on  the approach of an oncoming vehicle or when driving close behind another vehicle.
- (ii) The aspects of brightness, direction, and control of outdoor lighting installations are addressed in the Standards published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). IS 1944 - Code of Practice for Lighting of Public Thoroughfares, provides  for requirements of illumination levels, uniformity, glare control and proper lighting direction for outdoor/public lighting.
- (iii) National Lighting Code (NLC) of India 2025 on 'Outdoor Lighting' published by BIS provides guidance on recommended lighting levels, Backlight, Uplight, Glare (BUG)  rating  of  luminaires,  permissible  upward  light  ratio,  glare  limitation measures, shielding requirements, and responsible lighting practices to minimize light pollution.
- (iv)
- Highway safety code published by Indian Road Congress designed to help road users to traverse road safely. The code prescribes the following recommendation to reduce night accidents: a. Always dip your headlights when meeting other vehicles. A driver blinded by your high beam headlights may sidewipe your car. b. Depress your headlights when following another vehicle. The glare caused by your lights shining in his rear view mirror can reduce his vision and cause an accident. When overtaking, keep your lights on low beam. If on-coming vehicles are still on high beam, blink your lights up and down as a signal. If he does not lower
- c. his lights in time, do not retaliate.

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