Bharat NCAP vs Global NCAP: Differences Explained and Why they Matter

One of the fundamental aspects to consider while purchasing a vehicle today is how safe it is for its occupants. To that effect, car manufacturers have responded by equipping their vehicles with a variety of active safety features that help mitigate accidents. Beyond that, however, crash test ratings have come to the fore as an impartial way to judge a vehicle’s crash worthiness.

While Global NCAP has been conducting crash tests on cars made for India for years now, the introduction of Bharat NCAP brings a dedicated safety assessment program tailor-made for Indian conditions. In this article, we will take a closer look at the similarities and differences between the two, and how they affect buying decisions and the future of vehicle safety in India.

What is New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

Put simply, the New Car Assessment Program, or NCAP, is a system that judges how well a vehicle is able to protect its occupants in the event of an accident. It does this by assigning a star rating (1 to 5). The higher the score, the better the safety rating.

The Role of Crash Tests

NCAP tests simulate real-world crash scenarios to measure the safety of a vehicle’s structure and features. These tests typically include:

• Frontal crash test – Evaluates how well the car protects occupants in a head-on collision.
• Side-impact test – Measures how the car handles a T-bone accident.
• Child safety test – Assesses how well child restraint systems (ISOFIX, seatbelts) work.
• Pedestrian protection test – Determines how harmful a car’s front end is to pedestrians in an accident.

With road accidents being a major cause of fatalities in India, stronger safety standards and consumer awareness can directly reduce injuries and deaths.

Bharat NCAP: India’s Homegrown Safety Standard

Launched in 2023, Bharat NCAP is India’s own crash testing program. Unlike Global NCAP, which is an independent body, Bharat NCAP is backed by the Indian government under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Objectives of Bharat NCAP

• Encourage manufacturers to produce safer vehicles for India.
• Provide Indian consumers with clear safety ratings for new cars.
• Push for the adoption of advanced safety features like Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and six airbags.
• Align Indian crash test norms with global standards while considering local road conditions.

Bharat NCAP Crash Test Standards

Bharat NCAP follows a star rating system (1 to 5 stars) based on adult and child occupant protection. The testing includes:

• Frontal crash test at 64 kmph, the same as Global NCAP.
• Side-impact test to assess vehicle stability.
• Pedestrian safety norms to minimise injuries to pedestrians in accidents.
• Optional tests for electronic safety features such as ESC and ADAS.

Bharat NCAP’s Impact on Indian Cars

Since its launch, several automakers like Tata, Mahindra, Hyundai, Citroen, and Skoda (to name a few) have voluntarily submitted their models for testing, signaling a shift towards prioritising safety. High Bharat NCAP ratings could boost sales, as safety-conscious buyers will prefer higher-rated models.

Global NCAP: The International Benchmark for Safety

The Global NCAP (GNCAP) is an independent organisation that tests cars worldwide, including in India, since 2014. It follows United Nations safety standards and has played a key role in exposing flaws in engineering and design in cars made for India.

How Global NCAP Operates

• Conducts independent crash tests without manufacturer involvement.
• Evaluates cars on adult and child occupant protection separately.
• Promotes higher safety standards globally through advocacy.
• Introduced the #SaferCarsForIndia campaign, which revealed major safety concerns in budget cars.

Global NCAP vs Bharat NCAP: Key differences and similarities

While both programs assess vehicle crash worthiness, Bharat NCAP is tailored specifically for Indian road conditions, driving patterns, and regulatory requirements. In contrast, Global NCAP follows international standards that are applied across multiple regions.

Similarities between Global NCAP and Bharat NCAP

Despite their differences, both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP share the same fundamental goal: improving vehicle safety and reducing fatalities in a crash. Their assessment protocols also have several overlapping elements.

• Improving safety awareness: Both programs aim to educate consumers about vehicle safety and encourage manufacturers to build safer cars.
• Encouraging structural strength improvements: Carmakers are now reinforcing car chassis, adding active safety features and airbags to achieve better NCAP ratings.
• Influencing Indian safety regulations: Global NCAP’s #SaferCarsForIndia campaign exposed major safety flaws in cars made for India, which led to government action and the eventual launch of Bharat NCAP.
• Setting higher consumer expectations: Indian buyers now prioritise safety, forcing manufacturers to offer features like ESC, ABS, TPMS and multiple airbags even in budget models.

The Five Highest-Rated Cars in India (Bharat NCAP & Global NCAP)

Top-Rated Cars in Bharat NCAP

These are some of the best-performing cars tested under Bharat NCAP so far, earning 5 stars. Here’s how each of them scored in the test:

Top-Rated Cars in Global NCAP

Several cars sold in India have also excelled in Global NCAP crash tests scoring 5 star ratings. Here is how they scored:

Why Older Maruti Suzuki Models Scored Poorly

Some older Maruti Suzuki models received low or zero-star ratings in NCAP crash tests. However, this does not necessarily mean they were structurally weak. Many of these models were designed to comply with Japanese crash test regulations, which prioritise different impact scenarios compared to NCAP tests.

Maruti has now shifted its approach, with newer models being developed to meet Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP standards. A good example of this is the new Dzire, which scores a 5-star rating in its Global NCAP crash test. Using the same platform of the previous model, Maruti Suzuki made certain structural modifications to help earn a better GNCAP score for the Dzire. These structural changes made the new compact sedan heavier by a mere 30-40 kgs.

Euro NCAP has even stricter Safety Standards

The Euro NCAP is one of the strictest crash testing organisations in the world. While Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP focus on fundamental crash safety, Euro NCAP evaluates additional aspects, such as:

• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
• Lane-Keeping Assistance
• Driver Attention Monitoring Systems

Euro NCAP’s higher speed crash tests and more advanced assessments set it apart. A car that scores 5 stars in Global NCAP might not necessarily achieve the same rating in Euro NCAP due to these added criteria. However, with safety regulations tightening in India, future Bharat NCAP protocols might move closer to Euro NCAP standards over time.

The Future of Car Safety in India

With both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP influencing the industry, India is set to become a safer market for car buyers. Here’s what to expect.

Stricter Safety Regulations

• Bharat NCAP ratings could become mandatory for all new models.
• Stronger crash-test norms could replace outdated Indian safety regulations.

• More focus on EV safety, addressing battery fire risks.

   

Indian Cars Competing on Global Safety Standards

• More Indian cars will achieve 5-star safety ratings, boosting exports.
• Automakers will integrate advanced safety tech (ADAS, lane-keeping assist).
• International brands will introduce safer, globally-compliant models for India.

Conclusion: Which NCAP should you trust?

Both Bharat NCAP and Global NCAP test passive vehicle safety by evaluating its crash worthiness. Addicents are unpredictable, and NCAP tests assess crash worthiness based on precise hypothetical scenarios. However, Bharat NCAP can play a crucial role in shaping vehicle safety standards in India. With growing consumer demand and regulatory push, Indian consumers may soon have cars that are built to global standards.

All new cars sold in India are required to meet the mandatory BIS crash test which aligns with UN standards. However, when purchasing a vehicle, it is imperative to prioritise cars with the basic active safety features. Features like Antilock Braking System with Electronic Brake Distribution (ABS with EBD), Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Tyre Pressure Monitors (TPMS), and Auto Emergency Brakes work to prevent a crash in the first place. Keeping NCAP crash test rating in mind is important, but adopting safer driving habits should be the utmost priority.