The next iteration of the Bharat New Car Assessment Program – BNCAP 2.0 – will feature additional crash tests and more advanced dummies, official sources have informed us. Under the current protocol, which has been in effect since October 2023, tests are conducted for front (partial), side and side pole impact. Child restraint system installation and safety assist technologies are assessed as well, and individual star ratings out of 5 for adult and child occupant protection are then awarded.
- 24 cars have been assessed by Bharat NCAP so far
- BNCAP 2.0 infra is ready, as per International centre for automotive testing (ICAT)
At the time of writing, 24 vehicles have been evaluated by the voluntary program. Reportedly, Bharat NCAP 2.0 is expected to be rolled out towards 2027-end.
Bharat NCAP 2.0 details so far
Full frontal and rear crash impact tests will be added
Representative image (source: ARAI).
An official source said the next-generation Bharat NCAP will add a full-frontal impact test over the current frontal offset deformable barrier test, where a car’s 40 percent front width (from the driver’s side) is made to crash. A rear crash impact test will also be introduced, and technically superior dummies will be used in the side pole impact test for comprehensive crash safety data, he stated further.
ADAS features to also be analysed
Hyundai Venue with Level 1 ADAS pictured above.
Our February 2025 report on BNCAP 2.0 stated that testing capabilities will be expanded to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), as these features are becoming more common in cars. “We are working towards creating this new version [of Bharat NCAP], with work already in progress…We don’t want these systems to exist merely for the sake of availability, only to be switched off when actually needed. Instead, they should be fine-tuned to suit Indian driving conditions and user expectations,” Ujjwala Karle, senior deputy director at Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), had then stated.
24 cars crash tested by Bharat NCAP
Tata Safari, Harrier ICE are first models tested by BNCAP
| Cars crash tested by Bharat NCAP (October 2023-September 2025) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Safety ratings (AOP | COP)* | Model | Safety ratings (AOP | COP)* |
| Tata Safari | 5 | 5 | Mahindra BE 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Tata Harrier ICE and EV | 5 | 5 | Mahindra XEV 9e | 5 | 5 |
| Tata Nexon ICE and EV | 5 | 5 | Kia Syros | 5 | 5 |
| Tata Punch EV | 5 | 5 | Maruti Baleno | 4 | 3 |
| Citroen Basalt | 4 | 4 | Maruti Dzire | 5 | 5 |
| Tata Curvv ICE and EV | 5 | 5 | Toyota Innova Hycross | 5 | 5 |
| Mahindra XUV 3XO | 5 | 5 | Maruti Victoris | 5 | 5 |
| Mahindra XUV 400 EV | 5 | 5 | Tata Altroz | 5 | 5 |
| Mahindra Thar Roxx | 5 | 5 | Maruti Invicto | 5 | 5 |
| Hyundai Tucson | 5 | 5 | Citroen C3 Aircorss (5 seater) | 5 | 4 |
| Skoda Kylaq | 5 | 5 | ||
*Adult and child occupant protection ratings scored out of 5, where 1 represents the lowest rating.
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