Bharat New Car Assessment Programme

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued GSR 464(E) dated 28 June 2023, Draft Rule 126E in CMVR (Central Motor Vehicles Rules), 1989 concerning Bharat New Car Assessment Program (BNCAP) for comments/suggestions . The following has been proposed:-

It is applicable to type-approved motor vehicles of category M1 [motor vehicles used for the carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats, in addition to driver’s seat] with gross vehicle weight less than 3.5 tons, manufactured or imported into the country, in accordance with the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS)-197.

Detailed procedure regarding vehicle selection, test protocol etc. is covered in AIS-197. Testing of selected vehicles shall be carried out in the testing agencies referred to in regulation 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.

The inspecting agency will evaluate the vehicles under AIS-197 and submit the evaluation report to the designated agency as per FORM 70-B. Upon examination and approval of the Assessment Report, the Authority responsible uploads the number of stars of the vehicle on the appropriate portal.

However, nothing in this regulation shall apply to vehicles exempted by the central government from type approval requirements under Rule 126 or the Conformity of Production requirements of the Central Motor Vehicle Regulations, 1989.

According to the draft notification, it will be effective from October 1, 2023.

This information was given today by the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, in a written response to the Rajya Sabha.

*****

MJPS/NSK