## Policy Analysis Report: Amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a notification amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, specifically concerning the mandatory installation of side torso and side curtain/tube airbags in category M1 vehicles manufactured after October 1, 2022. The amendment aims to enhance vehicle safety by mitigating injuries in side-impact crashes and rollovers. Key findings indicate that this change directly affects vehicle manufacturers and is intended to improve occupant protection standards. The amendment references specific technical standards (AIS-099 and future BIS specifications) for airbag compliance.
**2. Introduction:**
This report provides an informative overview of a recent amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, as published in the Gazette of India on January 14, 2022. The analysis is based solely on the provided text of the notification and aims to clarify the amendment's provisions, implications, and expected impact.
**3. Policy Overview:**
* **Amendment to:** Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
* **Core Objective(s):** The amendment aims to enhance passenger safety by mandating the inclusion of side torso and side curtain/tube airbags in M1 category vehicles.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This amendment addresses the need for improved safety standards in passenger vehicles, specifically concerning side-impact collisions and rollovers. The inclusion of side airbags is likely intended to reduce the severity of injuries to occupants in these types of accidents, thereby enhancing overall vehicle safety. The amendment seeks to reduce occupant ejection and head/torso injuries during accidents.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This amendment introduces a new sub-rule (9B) after sub-rule 9A of rule 125 in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The key changes introduced are:
* **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The amendment introduces entirely *new* requirements, adding to the existing Rule 125 regarding vehicle construction and maintenance.
* **New Rule/Provision:** Vehicles of category M1, manufactured after 01st October 2022, *must* be fitted with:
* Two side torso airbags (one for each front row outboard seating position).
* Two side curtain/tube airbags (one for each outboard seating position).
* **Difference/Effect of Change:**
* This is a *new* mandatory safety requirement for M1 vehicles.
* Vehicles manufactured before October 1, 2022, are *not* subject to this requirement.
* Compliance must be verified according to AIS-099 (as amended) until BIS specifications are notified. The AIS-099 standard is the initial benchmark for airbag performance and functionality.
* Defines "Sideside torso air bag" as a device mounted to the seats or side structure, designed to deploy in side impacts and mitigate torso injury or occupant ejection.
* Defines "Side curtaintube air bag" as a device mounted to the side structure, designed to deploy in side impacts or rollovers and mitigate head injury or occupant ejection.
* Allows for airbag deployment in other crash modes, as determined by the manufacturer.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The primary target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this amendment are:
* Vehicle manufacturers producing M1 category vehicles (passenger vehicles with not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat).
* Airbag manufacturers and suppliers.
* Testing and certification agencies involved in verifying compliance with AIS-099 and future BIS standards.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is the responsible agency for this amendment.
* **Timelines:** The amendment is effective for vehicles manufactured *after* October 1, 2022.
* **Compliance Verification:** Initially, compliance will be verified against AIS-099. Once BIS specifications are notified, those will become the new standard.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The likely intended outcomes of these changes are:
* **Reduced injuries and fatalities in side-impact collisions and rollovers:** The mandatory installation of side airbags is expected to significantly enhance occupant safety.
* **Higher vehicle safety standards:** This amendment aligns Indian vehicle safety regulations with international best practices.
* **Increased manufacturing costs:** Vehicle manufacturers may incur additional costs associated with the installation of airbags.
* **Development and adoption of BIS standards for airbags:** The amendment anticipates the future notification of BIS standards, which will likely lead to more specific and stringent performance requirements.
**9. Conclusion:**
This amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, mandates the inclusion of side torso and side curtain/tube airbags in M1 category vehicles manufactured after October 1, 2022. This is a significant step towards improving vehicle safety standards in India, particularly in mitigating injuries in side-impact collisions and rollovers. While manufacturers will need to adapt to these new requirements, the potential benefits in terms of reduced injuries and fatalities are substantial. The amendment's effectiveness will depend on the rigorous enforcement of compliance and the timely development and adoption of relevant BIS standards.
Key Entities Referenced
NEW DELHI: Location of publication of the notification.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2022: Date of publication of the notification.
PAUSHA 24, 1943: Date of publication of the notification according to the Indian national calendar.
THE GAZETTE OF INDIA: Official government gazette in which the notification is published.
Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989: The principal rules being amended by this notification.
Central Government: The governing body proposing the amendments.
Section 110 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: Legal basis for the rule amendments.
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: The act that the Central Government is using the power conferred by to amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989
Joint Secretary MVL, Transport, Toll: Designation of the person to whom objections or suggestions can be sent.
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: Government ministry responsible for the notification.
Transport Bhawan, Parliament Street, New Delhi110 001: Address to send Objections or suggestions related to the draft rules.
Central Motor Vehicles Amendment Rules, 2022: Short title of the amendment rules.
Official Gazette: The gazette where the rules will be published to come into force.
AIS099: Automotive Industry Standard related to airbag specifications.
Bureau of Indian Standards: National Standards Body of India.
Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016: The act under which BIS specifications are notified.
Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi110064: Location where the document was uploaded by the Dte of Printing.
Controller of Publications, Delhi110054: The publisher of the notification.
G.S.R. 16E: Notification number for the draft rules
M1: Vehicle category which should be fitted with two side torso air bags
01st October 2022: Date from when vehicles of category M1 should be fitted with two sideside torso air bags
AMIT VARADAN: Jt. Secy.
G.S.R. 590E, dated the 2nd June, 1989: Notification number where the principal rules were published
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-14012022-232649
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CG-DL-E-14012022-232649
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असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (i)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 16] नई दिल्ली, िुक्रवार, िनवरी 14, 2022/पौष 24, 1943
No. 16] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, JANUARY 14, 2022/PAUSHA 24, 1943
सड़क पररवहन और रािमाग गमत्रं ालय
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल् ली, 14 िनवरी, 2022
सा.का.जन. 16(अ).— केंद्रीय मोटर यान जनयम, 1989 जनम्नजलजखत प्रारूप जनयम, जिसे केंद्रीय सरकार, मोटर
यान अजधजनयम, 1988 (1988 का 59) की धारा 110 द्वारा प्रित्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए कुछ जनयमों म ें और
संिोधन करन े का प्रस्ट्ताव करती है, को उि अजधजनयम की धारा 212 की उप-धारा (1) द्वारा यथापेजित उनके द्वारा
संभाव्य प्रभाजवत सभी व्याजियों की िानकारी के जलए प्रकाजित दकया िाता ह ै और एतिद्वारा नोरटस दिया िाता ह ै दक
उि प्रारूप जनयमों पर उस तारीख से िब इस अजधसूचना की प्रजतयां, भारत के रािपत्र म ें यथाप्रकाजित, आम िनता को
उपलब्ध कराई िाती ह,ैं से तीस दिन की अवजध की समाजि के पश्चात् जवचार दकया िाएगा।
आिेप या सुझाव, यदि कोई हों, संयुि सजचव (एमवीएल, पररवहन, टोल), सड़क पररवहन और रािमाग ग
मंत्रालय, पररवहन भवन, संसि मागग, नई दिल्ली-110001 को भेिे िा सकेंगे अथवा comments-morth@gov.in; पर
ई-मेल दकए िा सकेंगे।
आिेप या सुझाव, िो दकसी व्यजि से उि प्रारूप जनयमों के संबंध म ें इस प्रकार जवजनर्िष्टग अवजध की समाजि के
भीतर प्राि दकए िाते ह,ैं पर केंद्रीय सरकार द्वारा जवचार दकया िाएगा;
279 GI/2022 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
प्रारूप जनयम
1. सजं िि नाम और प्रारंभ-(1) इन जनयमों को केंद्रीय मोटर यान (....... संिोधन) जनयम, 2022 कहा िा सकता
ह।ै
(2) बित,े अन्यथा इन जनयमों में जनजहतानुसार, ये जनयम सरकारी रािपत्र म ें इनके प्रकािन की तारीख से लाग ू
होंगे।
2.केन्द्रीय मोटर यान जनयमावली, 1989 के जनयम 125 के उप-जनयम (9क) के पश्चात् जनम्नजलजखत उप-जनयम
अंतःस्ट्थाजपत दकया िाएगा, अथागत्:-
"(9ख) उप जनयम (9) और (9क) म ें जनजहत दकसी भी बात के बाविूि, इस जनयम के प्रयोिनाथ ग जनम्नजलजखत
पररभाषाएं और परंतुक लागू होंगे:
01 अक्टूबर 2022 के बाि जनर्मगत श्रेणी एम1 के वाहनों में िो साइड/साइड टोरसो एयर बैग्स, फ्रंट रो आउटबोड ग
में बैठन े वाल े व्यजियों के जलए एक-एक और िो साइड कटेन/ट्यूब एयर बैग्स, आउटबोडग म ें बैठने वाल े व्यजियों के जलए
एक-एक लगाया िाएगा और ऐसे एयरबैग्स की आवश्यकता को समय-समय पर संिोजधत भारतीय मानक ब्यरू ो
अजधजनयम, 2016 (2016 के 11)के तहत संबंजधत भारतीय मानक ब्यूरो (बीआईएस) जवजनिेिों को अजधसूजचत करन े तक
एआईएस-099 के अनुपालन के साथ सत्याजपत दकया िाएगा।
इस उप-जनयम के प्रयोिनाथ गस्ट्पष्टीकरण:
i) "साइड/साइड टोरसो एयर बगै " अजभव्यजि का तात्पयग दकसी भी इन््लेटेबल ऑक्यूपेंट रेस्ट्रेंट जडवाइस स े ह ै िो
दक सीट या वाहन के इंटीररयर की साइड संरचना पर लगाया िाता है, और जिसे मुख्य रूप से धड़ की चोट को कम करन े
और / या सवार को बाहर जनकलन े म,ें फ्रंट रो आउटबोडग म ें बठै ने वाल े व्यजियों की मिि करने के जलए साइड इफेक्ट क्रैि
लगान े हते ु जडजाइन दकया गया ह।ै
बिते, साइड/साइड टोरसो एयर बैग्स वाहन जनमागता द्वारा जनधागररत अन्य क्रैि मोड में भी लगे हो सकत े ह।ैं
ii) "साइड कटेन/ट्यूब एयर बगै " अजभव्यजि का तात्पयग दकसी भी इन््लेटेबल ऑक्यूपेंट रेस्ट्रेंट जडवाइस से है, िो
वाहन के इंटीररयर के साइड स्ट्रक्चर पर लगा होता ह,ै और जिस े मुख्य रूप स े जसर की चोट को कम करने और/ या
आउटबोडग में बैठने वाल े व्यजियों को बाहर जनकालने में मिि करने के जलए साइड इंपक्े ट क्रैि या रोलओवर म ें लगाने के
जलए जडजाइन दकया गया ह।ै
बिते, साइड कटेन/ट्यूब एयर बैग जनमागता द्वारा यथा जनधागररत अन्य क्रैि मोड में भी लगे हो सकते ह।ैं "
[आरटी-11028/16/2016-एमवीएल]
अजमत वरिान, संयुि सजचव
रटप्प णी: मलू जनयम भारत के रािपत्र, असाधारण, भाग-II, खंड 3, उपधारा (i) की अजधसूचना संख्या सा.का.जन.
590(अ), दिनांक 2 िून, 1989 को प्रकाजित दकए गए थ े और अंजतम बार अजधसूचना संख् या सा.का.जन. ...........,
दिनांदकत ...........द्वारा संिोजधत दकए गए ह।ैं
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 14th January, 2022
G.S.R. 16(E).—The following draft rules further amend the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, which the
Central Government proposes to make in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 110 of the Motor Vehicles
Act, 1988 (59 of 1988) is hereby published as required by sub-section (1) of Section 212 of the said Act for
information of all persons likely to be affected thereby and notice is hereby given that the said draft rules shall be
taken into consideration after the expiry of a period of thirty days from the date on which the copies of this
notification, as published in the Gazette of India, are made available to the public.[भाग II—खण् ड 3(i)] भारत का रािपत्र : असाधारण 3
Objections or suggestions, if any, may be sent to the Joint Secretary (MVL, Transport, Toll), Ministry of
Road Transport and Highways, Transport Bhawan, Parliament Street, New Delhi-110 001, on the email: comments-
morth@gov.in
Any objections or suggestions which may be received from any person with respect to the said draft rules
before the expiry of the period aforesaid will be considered by the Central Government;
Draft Rules
1. Short title and commencement.-(1) These rules may be called as the Central Motor Vehicles
(……………Amendment) Rules, 2022.
(2) Save as otherwise provided in these rules, they shall come into force from the date of publication in the
Official Gazette.
2. In the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, after sub-rule (9A) of rule 125, the following sub-rule shall
be inserted, namely:-
“(9B) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub rule (9) and (9A), for the purpose of this rule following
definitions and provisos shall apply:
Vehicles of category M1, manufactured after 01st October 2022, shall be fitted with two side/side torso air
bags, one each for the persons occupying front row outboard seating positions and two side curtain/tube air bags,
one each for the persons occupying outboard seating positions and the requirement for such airbags shall be verified
with compliance to AIS-099, as amended from time to time, till the corresponding Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
specifications are notified under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016).
Explanation for the purpose of this sub-rule:
i) The expression "Side/side torso air bag" means any inflatable occupant restraint device that is mounted
to the seats or side structure of the vehicle interior, and that is designed to deploy in a side impact crash to help
mitigate primarily torso injury and/or occupant ejection, for the persons occupying front row outboard seating
positions.
Provided that side/ side torso air bags can also deploy in other crash modes as determined by the vehicle
manufacturer.
ii) The expression "Side curtain/tube air bag" means any inflatable occupant restraint device that is
mounted to the side structure of the vehicle interior, and that is designed to deploy in a side impact crash or rollover
to help mitigate primarily head injury and/or occupant ejection for the persons occupying the outboard seating
positions.
Provided that side curtain/tube air bags can also deploy in other crash modes as determined by the
manufacturer.”.
[RT-11028/16/2016-MVL]
AMIT VARADAN, Jt. Secy.
Note: The principal rules were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-II, Section 3, Sub-
section (i), vide notification number G.S.R. 590(E), dated the 2nd June, 1989 and lastly amended vide Notification
number …….. Dated………….
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.