The Global New Car Assessment Programme better known by its acronym the Global NCAP is a UK-listed not-for-profit organization founded in the year 2011. Its main objective is to raise awareness about a vehicle’s safety through a variety of crash tests which include front impact, side impact, and impact with a pedestrian while also working toward consumers’ awareness about various safety norms and regulations.
New vehicles launched would be sent for crash tests to have a judgment about their safety and to know how they would perform if the car collided with an object or a pedestrian. This was quite necessary to promote safer cars and also urge the car manufacturers to make a vehicle that would safeguard consumers in case of an accident.
Some car manufacturers produces inferior quality products especially in developing nations (like India, Africa, Latin and the Caribbean, etc.) with the purpose of keeping the cost low and providing the goods at a cheaper cost with the intention of reaching a large set of consumers.
Despite the existence of the Global NCAP, what was the need to introduce the Bharat NCAP?
Bharat NCAP, a much awaited initiative taken by the Indian Government in the year 2014 but was later postponed to the year 2017 until finally launching in 2023, is aimed to test vehicles available in the Indian automotive market to know their safety ratings. Other than that, it also helps make consumers aware of the safety norms regarding vehicles. Its core objective is to improve the safety standards of cars sold in the country. Cars tested would be accredited with star ratings based on their performance in the crash tests.
New cars in India shall abide by the rules of the Bharat NCAP and provide their cars for various crash tests and performance tests. Star Ratings obtained by them would be based on how the car withstands front, side, and pedestrian collision and also basic safety features like Airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Seat-Belt reminders, ISOFIX Child Seat Mounts, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), etc. are provided or not.
“The new safety regime under BHARAT NCAP and AIS-197 is a mutual win-win for manufacturers and consumers” – Hon. Minister. Nitin Gadkari, Road Transport & Highways, GOI
Was Bharat NCAP really necessary?
Regardless of Global NCAP, the Government of India decided to launch its own NCAP as there notable differences in the driving conditions, road infrastructure, and the kinds of vehicles manufactured in India, from those in other nations like European Countries, Japan, etc.
It aims to correspond to the local safety rules and regulations while also bearing in mind the economic and affordability factors applicable to the Indian Market. Additionally, it will also help the car manufacturers to cut costs by only adhering to the Indian safety standards and not to the International safety standards.
Furthermore, the number of deaths resulting from road accidents in India is around three to four times more than that of Germany, France, etc. Due to this, the Indian safety standards are condemned for being ineffective.
Is the Bharat NCAP inferior when compared to the Global NCAP?
It is not equitable to label one as “inferior” to the other. There are some differences in both of their procedures and the set standards which could misrepresent their effectiveness.
The Bharat NCAP, India’s own Swadeshi Car Assessment Programme is designed strictly cognizant of the exclusive conditions, and safety standards of the Indian Automobile Market. It takes into account, the local driving patterns, road conditions, and the vehicles commonly used in India.
Additionally, having a local Car Assessment Programme helps in raising awareness about the quality and safety of the vehicles manufactured in the country. Judging by the star ratings scored by the car, a consumer can get an idea of whether the car is safe enough for either themselves or their family.
Conclusion
The Bharat NCAP is specialized to meet the distinct safety norms and conditions of India, whereas the Global NCAP focuses on an extensive set of safety rules and regulations from all over the world. Whether the Bharat NCAP would be successful enough to improve vehicle safety ratings and raise awareness amongst consumers is a point to look forward to. Instead of being seen as inferior to the Global NCAP, the Bharat NCAP should be regarded as complementary to the former while both working towards the betterment of public safety.
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