The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified a comprehensive set of vehicle safety regulations that will roll out in phases from October 2027 to October 2032. Notification S.O. 5723(E), dated 19 October 2026 and published in the Gazette of India on 21 October 2026, introduces tougher crash-test requirements, mandatory anti-theft immobilisers, enhanced pedestrian protection, and new standards for electric vehicle powertrain safety. A separate draft notification also proposes mandatory vehicle-to-vehicle communication systems from October 2028. These changes will require manufacturers to redesign vehicle structures, restraint systems, and electronic architectures across passenger cars, two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and commercial vehicles.
Immobilisers become mandatory from October 2027
Starting 1 October 2027, all M1-category passenger vehicles must be fitted with immobilisers that conform to AIS-076. An immobiliser prevents the engine from starting unless the correct key or transponder is present. This adds a layer of theft protection that has been common in many global markets but was not previously mandated across all passenger cars sold in India. The requirement applies to new models from that date, giving manufacturers a clear deadline to integrate compliant systems into their production lines.
Frontal and side-impact tests tighten from October 2027
Revised frontal offset crash protection under AIS-098 Revision 1 and revised side-impact protection under AIS-099 Revision 1 take effect for newly introduced models from 1 October 2027. Existing models covered by these standards have until 1 October 2028 to comply. The updated standards also include revised steering mechanism behaviour during frontal impacts under AIS-096 Revision 1. These changes mean manufacturers must strengthen body structures, improve airbag deployment logic, and ensure better occupant restraint performance in both frontal and lateral collisions.
Pedestrian protection improves with FlexPLI by 2032
Enhanced pedestrian protection requirements under AIS-100 Revision 1 apply to new models from 1 October 2028. The most significant step comes on 1 October 2032, when the Flexible Pedestrian Leg Impactor (FlexPLI) becomes mandatory for leg-impact testing. FlexPLI is a more biofidelic test tool that measures injury risk to a pedestrian's legs and knees more accurately than earlier methods. This aligns India with global pedestrian safety practices and becomes especially relevant as higher-front-end SUVs grow in popularity.
Rear-impact fuel and EV powertrain protection from April 2029
From 1 April 2029, all vehicles covered by AIS-101 Revision 1 must meet updated rear-impact protection requirements. The standard focuses on reducing risks from fuel-system damage and electric powertrain hazards after a rear-end collision. For electric vehicle manufacturers, this places greater emphasis on battery enclosure integrity, high-voltage isolation monitoring, and post-crash electrical safety. The requirement applies to all covered models, not just new introductions, so existing EVs and internal combustion models will need to demonstrate compliance.
Event data recorder standards from October 2029
Revised technical requirements for Event Data Recorders (EDRs) under AIS-192 take effect from 1 October 2029. EDRs capture vehicle speed, throttle position, brake application, seatbelt status, and other parameters in the moments before and during a crash. The notification specifies technical standards for devices that fall under the standard but does not make EDR installation compulsory in every passenger car. Manufacturers that choose to fit EDRs must ensure they meet the prescribed performance and data retrieval criteria.
Frontal collision restraint-system protection extends to 2031
New models must comply with updated frontal collision restraint-system protection from 1 October 2029, with all applicable models required to meet the standard by 1 October 2031. This covers the interaction between airbags, seatbelts, seat structures, and the vehicle body during a frontal crash. The extended timeline acknowledges the engineering effort needed to validate restraint systems across multiple variants and powertrain configurations.
Vehicle-to-vehicle communication proposed from October 2028
In a draft notification issued on 3 August 2026, MoRTH proposes amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 for phased implementation of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems. Vehicles in categories L (two- and three-wheelers), M (passenger vehicles), and N (goods vehicles) manufactured on or after 1 October 2027 must comply with AIS-230 if they are fitted with V2V hardware. From 1 October 2028, all newly manufactured vehicles in these categories will be required to have AIS-230-compliant V2V systems as standard fitment.
AIS-230 covers factory-installed On-Board Units using Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology in the 5.875 GHz to 5.925 GHz frequency band. The Department of Telecommunications delicensed this band via notification G.S.R. 466(E) dated 10 June 2026. The standard defines requirements for radio performance, receiver sensitivity, GNSS positioning accuracy, electromagnetic compatibility, cybersecurity, and power supply operations. Safety use cases include Emergency Brake Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Wrong-way Driving Alert, Emergency Vehicle Alert, Intersection Movement Assist, and Left Turn Assist. Industry analysis suggests these applications could reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities by significant margins when scaled nationally.
Cybersecurity is integral to the V2V framework. Because V2V messages arrive from other road users, the system must guard against false, delayed, spoofed, or replayed information that could degrade safety alerts. AIS-230 treats communication security as part of the minimum technical package, not an optional add-on. OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers will need to extend threat analysis and risk assessment to cover V2X interfaces and Indian operating conditions.
Automatic emergency braking proposed from 2030
A separate draft notification dated 19 October 2026 proposes making Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) mandatory for M1-category vehicles. If finalised, the requirement would apply to new models from 1 October 2030 and all applicable models from 1 October 2032. AEBS can automatically apply the brakes when an imminent collision is detected and the driver fails to respond. This remains a proposal subject to final notification, unlike the crash-safety regulations that have already been notified.
Impact on vehicle engineering and costs
The phased timeline gives manufacturers time to update designs, safety systems, and testing procedures. However, compliance will require investment in stronger body structures, improved restraint systems, pedestrian-friendly front-end designs, rear crash structures that protect fuel tanks and battery packs, and the integration of V2V hardware with cybersecurity validation. These developments could increase development and compliance costs. Any effect on vehicle prices will depend on manufacturer strategies and the safety equipment already present in their line-ups.
It is important to note that mandatory regulatory compliance and Bharat NCAP star ratings are different. A vehicle meeting the statutory requirements does not automatically qualify for a five-star Bharat NCAP rating. The proposed Bharat NCAP 2.0 framework, expected from October 2027, aims to expand safety evaluations beyond conventional occupant crash protection.
The next few years will see Indian vehicle engineering move closer to global safety benchmarks. The combination of passive safety upgrades, active safety mandates, and connected-vehicle technology creates a more comprehensive safety net for occupants, pedestrians, and other road users.
FAQs
When do mandatory immobilisers come into effect for passenger cars?
Mandatory immobilisers conforming to AIS-076 are required for all M1-category passenger vehicles from 1 October 2027.
What is the deadline for rear-impact protection for electric vehicles?
All vehicles covered by AIS-101 Revision 1, including electric vehicles, must meet updated rear-impact fuel and EV powertrain protection requirements from 1 April 2029.
Is vehicle-to-vehicle communication already mandatory?
V2V communication is currently a draft proposal. If finalised, AIS-230-compliant V2V systems would be required on all newly manufactured vehicles in categories L, M, and N from 1 October 2028.
Does the new notification make event data recorders compulsory in every car?
No. The notification sets technical standards for EDRs under AIS-192 from 1 October 2029 but does not mandate fitment in every passenger car.
How do these regulations differ from Bharat NCAP ratings?
Regulatory compliance sets minimum legal safety standards. Bharat NCAP is a voluntary consumer rating programme that evaluates vehicles beyond the statutory minimum. Meeting the new regulations does not guarantee a five-star Bharat NCAP rating.
