So far, India did not have any crash tests for the car, and relied mainly on foreign tests. Bharat NCAP or New Car Assessment rates the car on its crash performance. These are crash tests regulations, and these are aligned with international testing protocols. The programme will be implemented from October 1, 2023. It is a voluntary programme, and is not mandatory to get BNCAP certification. The crash cars will be selected randomly from the carmaker. These will be crash-tested at the testing centre. Depending on the results, certification and start rating will be issued. The certificate will be issued by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT).

The testing will cost the car-maker Rs.60 lac, as against Rs.2.5 crore abroad. Indian car makers have made testing requests — as many as 30 requests are pending. The safest car is assigned five stars.

The programme is applicable to M1 category of vehicles — carrying 8 seats including the driver, and weighing less than 3.5 tonnes gross.