Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP)

Why in the News?

• It would be applicable from April 1, 2023.

What is Global NCAP?

• The Global NCAP is a standardised platform establishing cooperation and coordination among new car assessment programs (NCAPs) globally for universal adoption of the United Nations’ standards for vehicular safety.
• It provides reliable information about the crash safety of a vehicle based on certain common criteria and procedures.
• It was established in 2011 and is a project of the U.K.-based Towards Zero Foundation.

About Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP):

• BNCAP would be the Indian adaptation of the Global New Car Assessment Program (GNCAP).
• It is a safety rating system for passenger cars.

• The system would entail giving vehicles a star rating based on their performance in crash tests.
• The voluntary programme aligns existing test regulations at home with global crash testing protocols.
• The change is sought to be introduced by adding a new rule 126E dealing with the BNCAP to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

• It is the passenger vehicles having not more than eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat, and weighing less than 3.50 tonnes.
• The vehicle must be imported or manufactured in the country.

How would the vehicles be evaluated?

• Rating:
• • • Bharat NCAP would assign vehicles between one and five stars.

• Parameters:

• • • Adult Occupant Protection (AOP)
    • Child Occupant Protection (COP) and
    • Safety Assist Technologies (SAT).

• They are intended to increase the export-worthiness of vehicles and competition on safety parameters among manufacturers, as well as to instil consumer confidence in a vehicle’s safety.
• It will prove to be a critical instrument in making our automobile industry Aatmanirbhar.