Bharat NCAP(New Car Assessment Programme)

Context- The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has launched the Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP), a domestic crash test program.

Key Highlights 

• The Bharat New Car Assessment Program (Bharat NCAP) is modeled after the Global New Car Assessment Program (Global NCAP), a project of the Towards Zero Foundation.  
• Towards Zero Foundation, a UK registered charity promoting the universal adoption of the key UN motor vehicle safety standards worldwide. 

Purpose: 

• The purpose of the program is to create a competitive security ecosystem that increases consumer awareness. 
• Consumers can make an informed decision by providing a comparative assessment of vehicle performance under crash test conditions. 

Scope: 

• The new program applies to passenger cars with a maximum of eight seats in addition to the driver and a maximum gross  weight of 3.5 tonnes.
• This is a voluntary program  based on the Automotive Standard 197 

Rating: 

• The vehicle is rated from one  to five stars  after evaluating three parameters – protection of adult occupants, protection of child passengers and safety  technologies in the car. 

Evaluation process 

• In the star rating process, the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) names the model of the vehicle to be tested, after which Bharati NCAP representatives visit the factory or dealer to select the base version of the model. 
• The model is randomly selected  and sent to a test center in collaboration with the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT). 
• Once the test results are compiled, they are approved by the Bharati NCAP Standing Committee and published on the Bharati NCAP website along with the  certificate issued by the CIRT. 

Importance of the program 

• Bharat NCAP ensures fewer casualties and injuries, reduces the burden on the healthcare and insurance sectors and promotes positive social impact by reducing the trauma of road  injuries and deaths.  
• Manufacturers would also benefit from improving their brand image through consumer-centric practices and  consumer loyalty. 

Conclusion 

• Bharat NCAP makes a significant contribution to improving vehicle safety and quality in India by promoting  healthy competition among Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to produce safer vehicles. 
• The new safety regime is a  win-win for both manufacturers and consumers and is an important step to secure the lives of our citizens and make the Indian automobile industry the number one global hub for automobile manufacturing.

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