India to implement Bharat NCAP 2.0 car safety framework in 2027

India is set to overhaul its automotive safety assessment framework with the introduction of Bharat NCAP 2.0, scheduled for implementation in October 2027. Announced by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at the 66th annual SIAM conference, the new system moves beyond traditional crash tests to evaluate vehicle safety across three distinct stages.

The new framework will assess a vehicle's ability to prevent accidents before they occur through advanced safety technologies, the protection provided to passengers and pedestrians during a collision, and the ease of exiting a vehicle to receive medical assistance following an accident. This shift aims to prioritize proactive accident prevention rather than just structural durability.

The initiative responds to a critical road safety situation in India, where approximately 500,000 accidents and 1.8 million deaths are reported annually. Data indicates that roughly 66% of those killed in road accidents are between the ages of 18 and 36, prompting the government to seek more comprehensive safety standards.