Bharat NCAP Explained: How to Check Your Car’s Safety Rating and What the Stars Mean
In recent years, road safety has become a critical concern in India, with approximately 1.5 lakh lives lost annually due to road accidents, as reported in the Road Accidents in India 2019 report. To address this, the Indian government launched the Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP), a voluntary safety rating system designed to evaluate the crashworthiness of vehicles sold in India.
This guide explains what Bharat NCAP is, why it was needed, what its star ratings for Adult Occupant Protection (AOP) and Child Occupant Protection (COP) mean, how to check a car’s official safety rating, and highlights five popular cars recently tested with their results.
By understanding Bharat NCAP, consumers can make informed decisions to prioritize safety when purchasing a vehicle.
What is Bharat NCAP and Why Was It Needed?
The Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (BNCAP), launched on August 22, 2023, by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), is India’s first national car safety assessment initiative.
Modeled after the Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP), Bharat NCAP evaluates vehicles in the M1 category (passenger vehicles under 3.5 tonnes with up to eight seats) based on their performance in crash tests. The program assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest, to indicate a vehicle’s safety performance in three key areas: Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), and Safety Assist Technologies (SAT).
Why Bharat NCAP Was Needed
India has some of the highest road accident fatality rates globally, with the government aiming to reduce these by over 50% by 2024. While vehicles in India must meet minimum regulatory standards for roadworthiness, these do not fully address crashworthiness—the ability of a vehicle to protect occupants during a collision.
Bharat NCAP was introduced to bridge this gap by providing a standardized, transparent safety rating system tailored to Indian driving conditions. Unlike GNCAP, which evaluates vehicles globally and may not account for India-specific factors like manufacturing variations or road conditions, Bharat NCAP ensures locally relevant safety assessments.
The program is voluntary, meaning manufacturers can choose to submit their vehicles for testing, but it incentivizes them to improve safety features to appeal to safety-conscious consumers. By offering clear safety ratings, Bharat NCAP empowers buyers to make safer choices and encourages automakers to enhance vehicle safety beyond minimum regulatory requirements.
This initiative aligns with the growing demand for safer vehicles in India, where features like airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are becoming standard.
Understanding Bharat NCAP Star Ratings: AOP and COP
Bharat NCAP assigns star ratings based on a vehicle’s performance in crash tests, focusing on Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), and Safety Assist Technologies (SAT). The ratings range from 1 to 5 stars, with higher stars indicating better safety performance. Below is a detailed breakdown of what the star ratings mean for AOP and COP.
Adult Occupant Protection (AOP)
AOP evaluates how well a vehicle protects adult occupants (driver and front passenger) during a crash. The assessment involves three tests conducted at specific speeds:
Frontal Impact Test (64 km/h): Measures protection in a head-on collision using two adult dummies in the front seats.
Side Impact Test (50 km/h): Assesses protection in a side collision with one adult dummy in the driver’s seat.
Side Pole Impact Test (29 km/h): Conducted only for vehicles scoring three stars or higher in the first two tests, evaluating protection in a side collision with a pole.
The maximum score for AOP is 32 points (16 for frontal impact, 16 for side impact). The star ratings are assigned based on the following minimum scores:
5 Stars: 27 points (excellent performance, with good protection for most body parts and mandatory safety features like ESC, pedestrian protection, and side head protection).
4 Stars: 22 points (good performance with similar safety features).
3 Stars: 16 points (good performance, requiring ESC and seatbelt reminders).
2 Stars: 10 points (nominal performance, no mandatory advanced safety technologies).
1 Star: 4 points (marginal performance, just above regulatory limits).
For example, a 5-star AOP rating indicates the vehicle provides robust protection for adults, with minimal injury risk to critical body parts like the head, chest, and legs, and includes advanced safety feature.
Child Occupant Protection (COP)
COP assesses how well a vehicle protects child occupants (typically an 18-month-old and a 3-year-old) using child dummies in car seats or booster seats. The evaluation includes:
Frontal Impact Test (64 km/h): Measures protection for two child dummies in the rear seats.
Side Impact Test (50 km/h): Assesses protection with child dummies in the rear seats.
Child Restraint System (CRS) Installation Checks: Evaluates the ease and effectiveness of installing child seats (12 points).
Vehicle-Based Assessments: Includes features like ISOFIX child seat anchors (13 points).
The maximum score for COP is 49 points (16 for frontal impact, 8 for side impact, 12 for CRS installation, and 13 for vehicle-based assessments). The star ratings are assigned based on the following minimum scores:
5 Stars: 41 points (excellent protection for children, with effective child restraint systems and ISOFIX anchors).
4 Stars: 35 points (good protection with similar features).
3 Stars: 24 points (adequate protection, requiring basic child safety features).
2 Stars:18 points (nominal protection).
1 Star: 9 points (marginal protection).
A 5-star COP rating means the vehicle offers superior protection for children, with secure child seat installation and minimal injury risk during crashes.
Safety Assist Technologies (SAT)
SAT evaluates features like ESC, seatbelt reminders, pedestrian protection, and side head protection systems. For a vehicle to achieve a 3-star rating or higher, ESC and front seatbelt reminders are mandatory. A 5-star rating requires additional features like pedestrian protection and side head protection under side impact. These technologies enhance overall safety by preventing accidents or mitigating their severity.
How to Check a Car’s Official Bharat NCAP Safety Rating
Finding a car’s Bharat NCAP safety rating is straightforward and can be done through the following steps:
Visit the Official Bharat NCAP Website: Go to http://www.bncap.in , the official portal for Bharat NCAP, which publishes all crash test results and ratings.
Navigate to the Safety Ratings Section: On the homepage, locate the “Safety Ratings” or “Test Results” section, which lists all tested vehicles.
Search for Your Car Model: Use the search function or browse the list to find the specific make and model of the car. Ensure you check the correct variant, as ratings may vary (e.g., Maruti Suzuki Baleno’s 2-airbag vs. 6-airbag trims).
Review the Star Rating and Scores: The website provides the overall star rating, along with detailed scores for AOP and COP. You can also view a breakdown of the crash test performance and safety features.
Verify with the Manufacturer: Cross-check the rating on the manufacturer’s official website or contact their customer service to confirm the rating applies to the variant you’re considering.
Check for Updates: Bharat NCAP periodically updates its ratings as new models are tested, so revisit the website for the latest information.
Alternatively, you can contact authorized testing agencies like the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), or International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) for detailed reports. These agencies conduct the tests and issue certificates, ensuring transparency.
Five Popular Cars Recently Tested by Bharat NCAP and Their Results
As of June 2025, Bharat NCAP has tested 21 vehicles, with Indian manufacturers like Tata and Mahindra dominating the 5-star category. Below are five popular cars recently tested, along with their Bharat NCAP results:
Mahindra Thar Roxx (Tested: November 2024)
Rating: 5 stars (AOP: 31.09/32, COP: 45/49)
Details: This 5-door SUV offers robust safety with six airbags, ESC, ISOFIX anchors, and a Level 2 ADAS suite in higher trims (AX5L, AX7L). Its high scores reflect excellent protection for both adults and children, with compliance to pedestrian protection norms.
Price Range: Rs 12.99 lakh to Rs 22.49 lakh (ex-showroom)
Tata Punch EV (Tested: May 2024)
Rating: 5 stars (AOP: 31.46/32, COP: 45/49)
Details: The Tata Punch EV is the safest car tested by Bharat NCAP to date, with near-perfect scores. It features six airbags, a 360-degree camera, ESC, and ISOFIX anchors as standard, making it ideal for families.
Price Range: Rs 9.99 lakh to Rs 14.44 lakh (ex-showroom)
Maruti Suzuki Dzire (Tested: June 2025)
Rating: 5 stars (AOP: 29.46/32, COP: 41.57/49)
Details: The first sedan tested by Bharat NCAP, the Dzire’s base LXI trim secured a 5-star rating with six airbags, ESC, and ISOFIX anchors. The rating applies to all variants, showcasing Maruti’s focus on safety.
Price Range: Rs 6.49 lakh onwards (ex-showroom)
Kia Syros (Tested: April 2025)
Rating: 5 stars (AOP: 30.21/32, COP: 44.42/49)
Details: Kia’s first SUV to achieve a 5-star rating in Bharat NCAP or GNCAP, the Syros uses a reinforced K1 platform with six airbags, ABS with EBD, and TPMS. Its scores reflect strong performance across all crash tests.
Price Range: Not specified in sources, typically in the compact SUV segment.
Mahindra XUV400 EV (Tested: November 2024)
Rating: 5 stars (AOP: 30.38/32, COP: 43/49)
Details: This electric SUV offers six airbags (in EL trims), ESP, TPMS, and ISOFIX anchors. Its 5-star rating applies to all variants, making it a safe choice in the EV segment.
Price Range: Rs 15.49 lakh to Rs 17.69 lakh (ex-showroom)
These results highlight the strong safety performance of Indian manufacturers, particularly Tata and Mahindra, in both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) segments.
Limitations of Bharat NCAP Ratings
While Bharat NCAP provides valuable insights, it has limitations. Ratings are based on specific crash scenarios (frontal at 64 km/h, side at 50 km/h, pole at 29 km/h) and may not reflect performance in other accidents like rollovers or truck underrides, which are common in India. Additionally, ratings assume occupants are restrained by seatbelts or child seats, and safety performance may vary at higher speeds due to exponential increases in crash energy. Consumers should compare ratings within the same vehicle segment, as a 5-star hatchback may not be safer than a 2-star SUV in certain scenarios.
How Bharat NCAP Impacts Consumers
Bharat NCAP empowers consumers by providing transparent safety information, enabling safer vehicle choices. A higher star rating indicates better protection, reducing the risk of injury or fatality in accidents. The program also pushes manufacturers to include advanced safety features like ADAS, which is becoming integral to global safety standards, as seen in Japan. While safer cars may increase prices, the long-term benefits of reduced accident risks outweigh the costs, especially given India’s road safety challenges.
Final Thoughts: A Step Toward Safer Roads
Bharat NCAP is a landmark initiative in India’s journey toward safer roads. By providing clear, standardized safety ratings, it helps consumers prioritize safety and encourages manufacturers to innovate. Understanding the star ratings for AOP and COP, checking official ratings on the Bharat NCAP website, and reviewing recent test results for popular cars like the Mahindra Thar Roxx or Tata Punch EV equips buyers with the knowledge to make informed decisions. As Bharat NCAP evolves, incorporating EV-specific standards and advanced technologies, it will continue to play a pivotal role in enhancing vehicle safety and reducing road accident fatalities in India.
FAQs
Q: Is Bharat NCAP mandatory?
A: No, Bharat NCAP is voluntary. It informs consumers about safety performance but does not affect a car’s eligibility for sale.
Q: How does Bharat NCAP differ from Global NCAP?
A: Bharat NCAP focuses on Indian-market vehicles with a 32-point AOP scale (vs. GNCAP’s 36) and mandatory seatbelt reminders for 3-star ratings and above.
Q: What safety features are required for a 5-star rating?
A: A 5-star rating requires ESC, pedestrian protection, side head protection, and seatbelt reminders, along with high AOP (27/32) and COP (41/49) scores.
Q: Where can I find Bharat NCAP ratings?
A: Visit www.bncap.in for official ratings or contact testing agencies like CIRT, ARAI, or ICAT.
By leveraging Bharat NCAP ratings, consumers can confidently choose vehicles that prioritize safety, contributing to safer roads for everyone.
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