A phased proposal would require advanced emergency braking on new passenger-car models from October 2030 and extend the mandate to all existing models by 2032.
India’s transport ministry has proposed making advanced emergency braking systems compulsory on new passenger car models from 1 October 2030, in a move that would gradually push the technology into the mainstream across the market. According to the draft amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, cars already in production would be given a further two years, with compliance required by 1 October 2032. The proposal is designed to improve road safety and reduce the severity of crashes.
Advanced emergency braking systems, or AEBS, rely on cameras, radar or similar sensors to detect a potential collision with another vehicle, a pedestrian or an obstacle ahead. If the driver does not react quickly enough, the system can intervene automatically by applying the brakes. As reported by several Indian publications, the feature is already available in some vehicles as part of broader driver-assistance packages, but the draft rules would extend it far beyond premium models.
The ministry’s proposal sets out a phased schedule rather than an immediate mandate. Vehicles in the relevant passenger-car and light-goods categories that are already fitted with AEBS would need to meet the prescribed AIS-185 standard from 1 October 2028. New M1-category passenger car models would then have to include AEBS from 1 October 2030, before the requirement is widened to all M1 models, including those already in production, from 1 October 2032. The M1 category covers passenger vehicles with up to eight seats in addition to the driver’s seat, which includes most cars and SUVs sold in India.
The draft also goes beyond emergency braking. It proposes standards for Automatic Command Steering Functionalities and Emergency Lane Keeping Systems from 1 October 2027, with these technologies becoming mandatory for M1-category transport vehicles, including taxis, from 1 October 2029. Driver drowsiness and attention-warning systems are also part of the package for that segment. Separately, the government is considering braking and driver-assistance rules for commercial vehicles, including trucks and buses, as part of a broader safety push.
Industry observers note that wider adoption of AEBS would likely require manufacturers to redesign vehicles, integrate compatible sensors and braking controls, and complete additional testing for compliance. That could add to development costs and may eventually affect prices, although the eventual consumer impact remains uncertain. For buyers, the practical effect would be a broader safety net in ordinary driving conditions, though automatic braking is not a substitute for attentive driving and its performance still depends on road conditions, visibility and sensor limitations. The draft notification is open for public feedback for 30 days, and the final rules may change before they are approved.
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