MoRTH Proposes Mandatory Automatic Emergency Braking on Cars From 2030: What It Means for Indian Car Buyers

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has proposed a major change to vehicle safety regulations in India. The ministry wants to make Advanced Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) mandatory on passenger cars in a phased manner.

Under the draft proposal, all new M1 passenger car models manufactured from October 1, 2030 will need to offer AEBS as standard. The requirement will then extend to all M1 passenger car models, including those already in production, from October 1, 2032.

The draft also proposes new standards for steering, lane-keeping systems and other safety technologies.

What Is Automatic Emergency Braking or AEB?

Automatic Emergency Braking, also called Advanced Emergency Braking System or AEBS, is an active safety technology that can automatically apply the brakes when it detects a potential collision and the driver fails to respond in time.

The system generally uses cameras, radar or other sensors to monitor the road ahead. When it identifies a possible collision, it can first warn the driver and then apply the brakes if the driver does not react. Depending on the situation, AEB can help prevent a crash or reduce the severity of the impact.

The technology already features on several premium and mass-market cars in India, but it remains largely limited to specific variants and models. The proposed MoRTH rules could eventually make the technology standard across the passenger-car market.

When Will AEB Become Mandatory in India?

MoRTH has proposed a phased implementation instead of introducing the requirement for every car at once.

The first major deadline will come on October 1, 2028. From this date, M1 passenger vehicles and N1 light goods vehicles that already offer AEBS will need to comply with AIS-185, the Indian Automotive Industry Standard for the system.

The next important date is October 1, 2030. All new M1 passenger car models manufactured from this date will have to come with AEBS.

Existing car models will get an additional two years. From October 1, 2032, the AEBS requirement will apply to all M1 passenger car models, including models that entered production before 2030 but remain on sale.

Proposed AEB Timeline

These dates remain part of the draft proposal and could change before the government issues the final notification.

Which Cars Will Come Under the New AEB Rules?

The proposal covers M1 category vehicles. This category includes passenger vehicles with up to eight seats apart from the driver’s seat.

In practical terms, the proposed rule would cover most passenger cars and SUVs sold in India. This includes hatchbacks, sedans, compact SUVs, mid-size SUVs, large SUVs and other M1-category passenger vehicles.

The government has proposed a separate timeline for N1 vehicles, which covers goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tonnes, when they already offer AEBS.

How Will AEB Improve Car Safety?

AEB can reduce the chances of a collision when a driver reacts too slowly or fails to notice an obstacle. Human reaction time can vary because of distraction, fatigue, poor visibility or sudden changes in traffic.

An AEB system constantly monitors the road ahead and can intervene when it detects a potential collision. The system does not replace the driver, but it can provide an additional safety layer.

The proposed regulation therefore moves active safety technology beyond the premium-car segment and could eventually make it available across a much wider range of vehicles in India.

New Steering and Lane-Keeping Rules

The MoRTH draft does not focus only on automatic braking. It also proposes standards for steering and advanced driving assistance systems.

From October 1, 2027, steering effort on motor vehicles will have to comply with AIS-193. Motorcycles, three-wheelers and certain other vehicles without a steering wheel will remain exempt from this requirement.

The draft also proposes standards for cars equipped with Automatic Command Steering Functionalities (ACSF) and Emergency Lane Keeping Systems (ELKS). These systems cover technologies that can influence steering or help prevent a vehicle from leaving its lane.

What About Taxis?

The proposed rules give taxis and other M1 transport vehicles an earlier timeline for some ADAS technologies.

From October 1, 2029, M1 vehicles registered as transport vehicles would need automatic steering functions and emergency lane-keeping systems under the proposed rules. The draft also proposes driver drowsiness and attention-warning systems for taxis.

The government appears to be giving priority to commercial vehicles because taxi drivers often spend significantly more time on the road than private-car users.

Will Existing Cars Need an AEB Retrofit?

No such retrofit requirement appears in the current proposal.

The draft instead gives existing vehicle models that remain in production until October 1, 2032 to comply with the AEB requirement. Therefore, car owners do not currently need to install an aftermarket AEB system in their vehicles because of this proposal.

However, the final requirement will depend on the government’s final notification after the public consultation process.

What Happens to Cars That Already Have AEB?

Cars that already offer AEBS will face an earlier compliance requirement.

From October 1, 2028, M1 passenger vehicles and N1 light goods vehicles equipped with AEBS will need to comply with AIS-185. This will create a common Indian standard for the technology before the government makes the system mandatory across new passenger car models.

This approach gives manufacturers time to test and certify existing systems before the wider mandate takes effect.

Other Vehicle Safety Rules Coming to India

The AEB proposal forms part of a wider push to increase vehicle safety in India.

New truck and bus models are also set to receive advanced safety systems, including AEBS, blind-spot information, moving-off information, driver-drowsiness detection and lane-departure warning systems. A revised braking standard and electronic stability control requirements for trucks are also part of the upcoming safety framework.

MoRTH has separately proposed Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication for newly manufactured vehicles from October 1, 2028. V2V technology allows vehicles to exchange information such as speed, position and direction and could complement ADAS technologies such as AEB.

Why Is MoRTH Proposing Mandatory AEB?

Road safety remains a major concern in India, and the government has repeatedly targeted a reduction in road accidents and fatalities. The proposed AEB mandate forms part of the broader push towards advanced active-safety technologies.

Making AEB mandatory could also reduce the gap between safety equipment available in premium cars and more affordable passenger vehicles. If the proposal becomes law in its current form, carmakers will need to integrate the technology across their model ranges rather than limiting it to expensive variants.

What This Means for Indian Car Buyers

The proposed AEB mandate will not immediately change the cars available in showrooms. The first major fitment deadline for new M1 models would arrive in October 2030, while all M1 models would need to comply from October 2032.

For buyers today, the proposal is mainly an indication of where India’s vehicle-safety regulations are heading. Buyers who want advanced safety technology can already choose cars equipped with AEB and other ADAS features.

The most important point is that MoRTH has proposed the mandate, but it has not become a final law yet. The draft remains open for public consultation, and the government can modify the rules before issuing the final notification.

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FAQs

What is AEB in a car?

AEB stands for Automatic Emergency Braking. The system can automatically apply the brakes when it detects an imminent collision and the driver does not respond in time.

When will AEB become mandatory in India?

MoRTH has proposed mandatory AEB for new M1 passenger car models manufactured from October 1, 2030. The requirement would extend to all M1 models from October 1, 2032.

Will existing cars need AEB?

The current draft does not propose retrofitting AEB to cars already on the road. Existing models that remain in production would get until October 1, 2032 to comply.

Is AEB already available in India?

Yes. Several cars sold in India already offer AEB as part of their ADAS packages, although availability varies by model and variant.

Is the AEB mandate confirmed?

No. MoRTH has issued a draft proposal and invited public feedback. The government will consider objections and suggestions before finalising the rules.

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