Parliament Question: Policy for Vehicles not Meeting Safety Standards

**Executive Summary** This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 269 in Lok Sabha regarding the policy for vehicles not meeting safety standards, answered on December 2nd, 2025. It addresses questions about studies on road accidents involving vehicles not meeting safety standards, the existence of a mandatory recall policy, and the number of vehicles recalled for safety defects in the last three years. The document references existing rules and regulations, including the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and the Motor Vehicles Act. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Safety Standards Compliance:** * Rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989 mandates that all motor vehicle manufacturers or importers submit vehicle prototypes for testing and certification to ensure compliance with safety provisions. * **Road Accident Data:** * The Ministry publishes an annual report titled "Road Accidents in India" based on data from State/UT Police Departments. * Road accidents are attributed to multiple causes, including over-speeding, mobile phone use, drunken driving, lane indiscipline, non-use of safety devices, and vehicle/road conditions. * **Vehicle Recall Policy:** * Section 110A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, empowers the Central Government to direct manufacturers to recall defective motor vehicles. * Rule 127C was inserted in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, on March 11, 2021, outlining the procedure for recall of defective motor vehicles and recall notices. * **Vehicle Recall Statistics:** * Data from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) shows the number of vehicles recalled for safety defects: * 2022: 2,88,765 * 2023: 2,84,906 * 2024: 8,64,351 * 2025 (up to November 26th): 1,19,173 * The grand total of vehicles recalled is 15,57,195, broken down into 11,91,611 two-wheelers and 3,65,584 passenger cars. **Impact Analysis** **Stakeholder:** Motor Vehicle Manufacturers/Importers * **Impact:** Subject to mandatory testing and certification requirements for vehicle prototypes as per CMVR Rule 126. Must adhere to vehicle recall directives issued by the Central Government under Section 110A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and follow the recall procedure outlined in Rule 127C of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. * **Action Required:** Ensure vehicle prototypes are submitted for testing and certification. Comply with any vehicle recall directives issued by the Central Government and follow the recall procedures outlined in Rule 127C. **Stakeholder:** Central Government (Ministry of Road Transport and Highways) * **Impact:** Empowered to direct manufacturers to recall defective vehicles under Section 110A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Responsible for implementing and enforcing the recall procedure outlined in Rule 127C of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. * **Action Required:** Monitor vehicle safety standards and issue recall directives as necessary. Enforce compliance with the recall procedure outlined in Rule 127C. **Stakeholder:** Vehicle Owners/Consumers * **Impact:** Potentially affected by vehicle recalls due to safety defects. * **Action Required:** Stay informed about potential vehicle recalls and comply with recall notices issued by manufacturers. **Stakeholder:** Testing Agencies * **Impact:** Responsible for testing and certifying vehicle prototypes for compliance with safety provisions under CMVR, 1989. * **Action Required:** Conduct thorough testing and certification of vehicle prototypes to ensure compliance with safety provisions. **Stakeholder:** Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) * **Impact:** Responsible for maintaining the Voluntary Recall Code of SIAM and data on vehicles recalled due to safety defects. * **Action Required:** Maintain accurate data on vehicle recalls and continue to promote voluntary recall initiatives.

Key Entities Referenced