The global new car assessment programme, otherwise known as the Global New Car Assessment Programme, or global NCAP for short, is a testing programme for new and used cars designed to enhance road safety and protect the environment, without unduly impeding the economy. It is the world's first comprehensive programme of its kind. The programme is funded by a levy on new vehicle registrations, which is then used to support the testing and public information programmes needed to implement the scheme. The GNCTS aims to reduce road trauma and save lives, protect the environment, and save consumers money by improving the quality and safe cars.

The USA was the first country in 1978 to come up with a programme that informed people about car crashworthiness which then developed into crash testing and reporting its results. The USA programme became an inspiration for other countries and now there are Australasian NCAP, Euro NCAP, Japan NCAP, ASEAN NCAP, China NCAP, Korean NCAP and Latin NCAP. 

How do Global NCAP crash-test cars?

The Global New Car Assessment Programme conducts crash tests on new and used cars, using a fleet of crash test cars that are identical apart from their bodywork. The cars are fitted with a sensor that registers the force of the crash, and a data recorder that collects vehicle parameters and information prior to, during, and after the crash. The cars are then subject to a series of crash tests, each designed to measure a particular aspect of a car's safety. The tests include Front, Side, Rear and Rollover.

Global NCAP rating systems, in contrast, are more focused on front-offset crash tests, whereas a car must undergo additional side impact protection tests in order to qualify for a 5-star safety rating cars. This test simulates the impact of a head-on collision between two vehicles. In the Global NCAP test, the vehicle is driven at 64 kph into a deformable barrier at 40 per cent overlap in a similar manner to a collision between two cars moving at 50 kph of the same weight.

How does Global NCAP score cars?

The NCAP test is not a failure test, as is the case with a government safety test. A car rating under the NCAP is based on a scale of 1 to 5 stars - the higher the rating, the safer the car. According to the crash test, the rating is based on how well the vehicle protects adult occupants and children occupants. The scores are primarily based on the readings of crash-test dummies, though certain safety features may also be credited.

To qualify for one-star ratings, Global NCAP previously required the driver's side airbag. The absence of airbags in the Tata Zest and Volkswagen Polo resulted in a zero-star rating, while airbag-equipped versions were rated four stars. To qualify for a 1-star rating, a vehicle must have dual airbags. In the future, there will be more requirements. As an example, the ESC could become a mandatory requirement in the near future on Indian cars, and there is speculation that autonomous emergency braking will also be factored into the final score.

In the 17-point Adult Occupant Protection score, head and neck injuries, chest injuries, knee and femur injuries, and leg and foot injuries are included. Cars that have the feature of seatbelt reminder, four channels ABS and other type of side-impact protection are given extra point, which has been tested by the relevant authority.

Based on the measurements of children 18-months and 3-years-old in manufacturer-recommended child seats, the 49-point Child Occupant Protection score is calculated. Additionally, we award points for child restraint system labels, provision of three-point seatbelts, and Isofix.

How does Global NCAP select cars for the test?

The Safer Cars For India initiative has focused on mass market models. Either the agency purchases the cars from a showroom and ships them to the testing facility, or the manufacturer provides them. For manufacturers who provide test vehicles, Global NCAP selects the models straight from the assembly line, following a strict protocol. The global NCAP rating for Indian cars is focused is model specific and not variant specific. 

The New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) is a set of safety tests that new cars must pass in order to be sold. The NCAP is an effort by the government to reduce the number of car accidents by ensuring that a certain percentage of new cars sold are safer than average.All cars should be given a crash test rating, ending unfounded arguments about a model's crashworthiness and providing buyers with objective information to make an informed decision. In India, it's encouraging to see the automakers themselves inviting Global NCAP to test their foreign vehicles. Safety ratings have become an important product differentiator. Buyers and manufacturers can both benefit from this.