New vehicle safety features mandatory in India by 2026

Starting in April 2026, all new passenger vehicles that can carry more than eight people, as well as buses and trucks, will need to have new safety features. The Indian Ministry of Road Transport announced this plan in a draft notification. These vehicles must include advanced emergency braking systems (AEBS), driver drowsiness alerts, and lane departure warnings. For vehicles already on the market, these rules will apply to models made from October 2026 onwards. The goal of these changes is to improve safety and reduce accidents by alerting drivers when they are distracted or tired. The AEBS will automatically detect potential collisions in the same lane. If the driver does not react in time, the system will apply the brakes to prevent or lessen the impact of a crash. The lane departure warning system will alert drivers if their vehicle drifts out of its lane without signaling. The drowsiness warning system will monitor driver alertness by analyzing their steering and the vehicle's position. It will provide audio alerts if the driver appears drowsy. This is especially important at high speeds when drivers have less time to respond to emergencies. Additionally, buses and trucks must be equipped with a blind spot information system. This system will inform drivers about pedestrians and cyclists near their vehicle that may not be visible. This is aimed at reducing accidents involving these vulnerable road users.