A new RTI response has come from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). Some interesting details emerged About India NCAP crash test and re-test procedures. The RTI, filed in March 2026 by Team-BHP member ron178, sought information about modifier conditions in crash tests, vehicles selected by the government for testing and re-tests conducted before the final publication of India NCAP results.
According to feedback shared online, India NCAP has so far assessed 35 vehicle models under voluntary OEM submissions till March 31, 2026. Interestingly, the RTI response also states that No vehicle has been directly selected by the Government of India yet For India NCAP assessment, the government allows vehicles to be nominated for public safety testing irrespective of AIS-197 provisions.
7 vehicles re-tested before final results
One of the biggest features of the RTI response is the confirmation that seven vehicles were re-tested or re-evaluated before the final publication of the crash test ratings. The RTI response specifically mentioned that these retests or reassessments were approved under AIS-197 clause 6.2 related to retest procedures. The vehicles listed are:
– Maruti Dezire
– Tata Punch ICE
– Tata Sierra ICE
– Tata Curve ICE
– Mahindra XUV 3XO
– Mahindra XUV400 EV
– Mahindra BE6
Modifier details remain confidential
The applicant had also sought information about crash test modifiers such as bodyshell instability, footwell breakage and related penalties that affect the final India NCAP score. However, according to the RTI response shared online, these details have not been publicly disclosed and are being Treated as confidential information. This has sparked discussion among enthusiasts online, particularly because modifiers can significantly affect the final safety rating despite strong numerical crash test scores.
Since the launch of India NCAP, safety ratings have become an important factor for Indian car buyers. Several automakers, including Tata Motors, Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki, have actively participated in the program by voluntarily submitting vehicles for testing. The latest RTI response now offers a rare glimpse of the internal testing and re-evaluation process followed under India NCAP, notably revealing that re-testing before final publication is more common than previously known.
Retests are not uncommon In global crash testing programs, because manufacturers often make structural or safety-related improvements after initial evaluation. However, this is one of the first official confirmations from India NCAP regarding the re-evaluation of multiple vehicles before the final publication of the results.
