The Global New Car Assessment Programme (GNCAP) has updated its crash testing protocol, effective since August 2025. The new protocol introduces a stricter mandate for ESC fitment, which will remain in effect through 2029. The recent Maruti Victoris was the first made-in-India car to be rated under the new global NCAP protocol.
Without a standard ESC, a vehicle will automatically receive a 1-star rating. The most recent testing conducted under the new protocol was of the Suzuki Victors, which was able to attain a 5-star safety rating.
Until now, ESC has been mandatory for a vehicle to secure 3 stars or higher. Additionally, fitting ESC in cars was a two-step process — either as standard in the bestselling variant of the vehicle or in an equal number of other variants.
GNCAP also required manufacturers to make ESC standard across all variants within two years of the test result publication. In the same time period, it must also be offered as a standalone option, and not just bundled with other features.
Now, ESC must be fitted as standard across all variants of the tested model — without it, a car will automatically be assigned a 1-star rating. Moreover, side-impact head protection must also be a standard fitment across all variants of the vehicle. Without side head protection systems, the pole side impact test will not be allowed, and a vehicle can only score a maximum of 2 stars.
Additionally, all variants of a vehicle must comply with pedestrian protection norms as per UNR 127 or GTR 9 standards to be eligible for a rating higher than 2 stars. These latest updates build on GNCAP’s testing protocols, which were last updated in July 2022.
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