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The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed a major, comprehensive overhaul of the national car safety assessment program with the draft of Bharat NCAP 2.0. This updated framework significantly raises the bar for vehicle safety, moving beyond basic crash testing to encompass active safety, accident avoidance, and post-crash scenarios.
Expected to be implemented from October 2027, BNCAP 2.0 introduces five main assessment pillars that will make achieving a 5-star rating substantially tougher for manufacturers. The primary goal is to encourage the sale of vehicles that are not only strong in a crash but also smart enough to prevent one.
📊 The Five Pillars of Bharat NCAP 2.0: Scoring Breakdown
The biggest change in BNCAP 2.0 is the shift in scoring. Unlike the current system, where the rating is based predominantly on Adult and Child Occupant Protection (AOP/COP), the new framework adopts a holistic ‘Safe Systems Approach’.
| Pillar | Focus Area | Weightage in Overall Score | Key Features Evaluated |
| 1. Crash Protection | Protection of occupants during a crash. | 55% (Highest Weightage) | Adult Occupant Protection (AOP), Child Occupant Protection (COP), Structural Integrity. |
| 2. Vulnerable Road User (VRU) Protection | Safety of pedestrians and two-wheeler riders. | 20% | Front-end design tests (leg and head impacts), Optional AEB (Autonomous Emergency Braking) for pedestrians/motorcyclists. |
| 3. Safe Driving Technologies | Alert-based driver assistance systems. | 10% | Seat Belt Reminders (with occupant detection), Driver Drowsiness Alerts, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Detection. |
| 4. Accident Avoidance | Active technologies that prevent or mitigate a collision. | 10% | Mandatory ESC (Electronic Stability Control) for eligibility, Optional AEB systems. |
| 5. Post-Crash Safety | Safety measures immediately following an accident. | 5% | Fire and Electrical Hazard Management (especially for EVs), Ease of Occupant Extrication, SOS/e-Call system, Multi-Collision Braking. |
💥 New Mandatory Crash Tests (Increased from Three to Five)
BNCAP 2.0 introduces two crucial new mandatory crash tests to simulate more real-world accident scenarios, making the Crash Protection pillar far more stringent.
| Test Name | Test Speed | Purpose |
| Offset Frontal Impact | $64 \text{ km/h}$ | Core structural integrity test. |
| Lateral Mobile Barrier Test | $50 \text{ km/h}$ | Side impact protection. |
| Oblique Pole Side Impact | $32 \text{ km/h}$ | Impact against a fixed object like a pole or tree. |
| Full-Width Frontal Impact | $50 \text{ km/h}$ | Simulates a head-on collision where the full car width is involved (NEW). |
| Mobile Rigid Rear Impact | $50 \text{ km/h}$ | Assesses whiplash protection, fuel system safety, and rear occupant protection (NEW). |
Engine Options and Performance
Under the hood, the Hyundai Exter is powered by a 1.2-litre petrol engine that has proven its mettle in the Grand i10 Nios. This engine delivers a power output of 82 bhp and a torque of 113 Nm. The Exter offers both manual and automatic transmission options, providing a seamless driving experience to its customers.
✅ Mandatory Requirements and Higher Scoring Thresholds
The updated framework introduces non-negotiable prerequisites for any car seeking a star rating, ensuring minimum safety standards even in base models:
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Mandatory Equipment: Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and side head protection devices (Curtain Airbags) must be standard for the car to be eligible for testing.
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Disqualification: Vehicles with side-facing third-row seats will be ineligible for a star rating.
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Higher Scoring Bar: The minimum score required for a 5-Star Rating will increase from the current $\approx 70$ points to 80 points out of 100 after 2029, pushing manufacturers for continuous improvement.
Industry Impact: This framework forces manufacturers to offer advanced safety features like curtain airbags and ESC across all variants, not just the top-end trims, significantly raising the safety level of Indian cars.
