A recent Right to Information (RTI) response from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has revealed new details about Bharat NCAP’s crash testing and retesting process, including the fact that seven cars were retested before their safety ratings were published. The disclosure has brought renewed attention to how vehicles are selected and evaluated under India’s official crash safety assessment programme.

The RTI was filed in March 2026 by a TeamBHP member known as “ron178” and sought clarity on multiple aspects of Bharat NCAP’s operational framework. These included the use of modifier statuses in crash test reporting, the criteria used for selecting vehicles for assessment, and whether any models had undergone retesting prior to the publication of official results. The response has now provided structured insights into the programme’s testing methodology.

According to the information shared, Bharat NCAP has assessed a total of 35 car models up to 31 March 2026. All of these vehicles were tested under voluntary submissions from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), meaning manufacturers chose to send their vehicles for evaluation. The RTI further clarified that, as of the stated period, no vehicles had been specifically selected or nominated by the Government of India for testing, although existing AIS-197 provisions do allow such nominations.

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A key highlight of the response was the disclosure that seven vehicles underwent retesting or reassessment before the final crash test results were published. The models listed include the Maruti Suzuki Dzire, Tata Punch ICE, Tata Sierra ICE, Tata Curvv ICE, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Mahindra XUV400 EV, and Mahindra BE6. These retests were reportedly conducted in accordance with Clause 6.2 of AIS-197, the standard governing Bharat NCAP procedures.

Clause 6.2 of AIS-197 allows for retesting or reassessment in specific situations, including incomplete datasets, missing technical parameters, or results that fall outside defined safety thresholds. The provision is designed to ensure accuracy and consistency in crash test reporting, particularly when initial assessments require validation or additional verification before final publication.

The RTI disclosure has sparked interest among automotive observers and safety advocates, as it offers rare transparency into the internal workings of Bharat NCAP. While the programme continues to be positioned as a voluntary safety assessment initiative led by manufacturers, the details on retesting and selection criteria are expected to contribute to ongoing discussions on standardisation, accountability, and the evolution of vehicle safety norms in India.

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