Published : 23 October 2026
Read Time : 5 min
Author: Nikil Jonathan
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has notified new car safety rules with phased implementation deadlines from October 2027 to October 2032. The changes cover crash protection, pedestrian safety, immobilisers and event data recorders.

The new rules will come into effect in stages, with separate deadlines for new models and existing models wherever specified.
In the updated frontal crash test, the rules cover heavier vehicles – increasing the upper weight limit from 2500kg to 3500kg. The permitted chest compression for the relevant test criterion also reduces from 50mm to 42mm.
What it means: The updated test covers heavier passenger vehicles and sets a stricter limit for chest compression in the specified crash test. This does not mean every car will need a different design, but some existing cars may need structural changes or updated safety equipments such as seatbelts to meet the revised requirements.
The revised standard removes an exemption for M1 passenger vehicles with a driver-seat reference point (R-point) higher than 700mm. The revised standard covers M1 vehicles up to 3,500kg.
For reference, the M1 category includes cars such as hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and MPVs with a seating capacity not exceeding 9 passengers, including the driver, and a gross vehicle weight of up to 3,500kg
What it means: Passenger vehicles with higher seating positions, including some SUVs, can no longer rely on side-impact test exemption. They will need to meet the applicable side-impact requirements.
The updated crash-test procedures address automatic door-locking systems and whether doors unlock after an impact. The side-impact requirements also cover unlocking on the side opposite the impact.
What it means: Safety testing checks how the locking system behaves in a crash, including whether doors can unlock afterwards. The aim is to help occupants to get out of the vehicle more easily.
The revised side-impact requirements include longer electrolyte-leakage checks – increasing the specified period from 30 minutes to 60 minutes – along with requirements covering battery retention and the risk of fire or explosion.
What it means: Electric vehicles must meet specific battery-safety checks after a side impact. The tests assess whether the battery remains secured and whether it shows signs of leakage, fire or explosion within the specified period.
The notification makes immobilisers mandatory for M1-category passenger vehicles from October 1, 2027. An immobiliser prevents the engine from starting without the correct key or authorisation.
What it means: Carmakers must ensure covered passenger cars meet the immobiliser requirement. This is intended to make vehicle theft more difficult.
The revised standard updates requirements for the arrangement and operation of foot controls (pedals), including provisions for an optional driver’s footrest (dead pedal).
What it means: Carmakers must follow the revised technical requirements for pedal layout and footrest clearance. The update is made to ensure the driver’s foot does not get caught between the pedals in the event of a collision.
The revised pedestrian-protection standard extends its stated vehicle-weight coverage up to 4,500kg. It also introduces the FlexPLI leg impactor, a test device designed to better represent how a human leg responds when struck by a vehicle.
What it means: More vehicles, including heavier EVs, fall within the standard’s scope, and the updated test equipment is designed to assess potential leg injuries more realistically. The FlexPLI requirement becomes mandatory from October 2032.
The revised rear-impact standard specifies a test speed of 50kmph, compared to the current speeds of 35kmph to 38kmph. It also includes requirements for electric powertrain safety and for CNG and LPG fuel systems.
What it means: Covered vehicles must meet the updated rear-impact test requirements. Depending on the powertrain, testing checks can include battery or electrical safety, gas leakage and the security of fuel tanks and cylinders and their attachments.
The AIS-201 standard specifies a frontal crash test in which the vehicle hits a rigid barrier across its full width at 50kmph. The test uses a male driver dummy and a smaller female passenger dummy, with specified limits for chest compression.
What it means: The test assesses occupant protection in a different type of frontal collision and includes a smaller dummy to evaluate injury risks for occupants who differ in size. Carmakers must meet the relevant injury limits.
The AIS-192 standard sets requirements for Event Data Recorders (EDRs), including which information they record, how crash data is protected and how the device must withstand a crash.
What it means: An EDR records specified vehicle information around a crash, such as speed and braking data. The standard also addresses data retention, power loss and preventing the system from being deactivated.
Also Read: What Is Bharat NCAP And How Does It Work?
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Content Writer
Nikil's a huge fan of classic cars, especially Italian beauties such as the Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint and the Iso Grifo. His love for cars and bikes originated when he first laid his eyes on a poster of the Ferrari F40 and the MV Agusta F4 when he was just a child. He also loves all things analogue, especially vintage cameras and turntables.

























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