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.
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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.
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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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