AEB Mandatory in India? MoRTH Draft Rule: 2030 Timeline

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has drafted rules that would make automatic emergency braking standard on new passenger cars in India. Nothing changes at the showroom today, but the direction is clear, and it affects how you think about your next car.

What is AEB and how does it work?

Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS, usually called AEB) uses a camera or radar to watch the road ahead. If a collision looks likely, it first warns you. If you still do not react, it applies the brakes on its own to avoid the crash or cut its severity.

Unlike airbags and seatbelts, which protect you during a crash, AEB tries to act before impact. Its effectiveness depends on sensor visibility, road conditions and speed, so it is a backup for a distracted moment, not a replacement for attention.

What does the MoRTH draft say, and what is the timeline?

The draft notification, which amends the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, covers M1 vehicles (passenger vehicles with up to eight seats besides the driver) and N1 vehicles (goods vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes). MoRTH will take objections and suggestions for 30 days before finalising. All dates below are proposed, not final.

What do AIS-185, AIS-191 and AIS-193 mean?

• AIS-185: the industry standard for AEBS on M1 and N1 vehicles.
• AIS-193: steering effort standard. Cars with ACSF (automatically commanded steering functions) must meet it too.
• AIS-191 (Part 1): covers ELKS, the Emergency Lane Keeping System, commonly called lane keeping assist.
• Taxis: ACSF and ELKS become mandatory on transport-registered M1 vehicles from 1 Oct 2029. Reports also suggest drowsiness and attention warning for taxis.

The draft applies to new vehicles only. There is no requirement to retrofit cars already on the road.

What does this mean for car prices?

No official cost estimate has been announced. Cameras, radar, processing hardware and calibration add manufacturing cost, so some price rise on entry cars is plausible. That is our estimate, not a confirmed figure.

There is also a counter view. The government's stated aim is to halve road accidents and fatalities by 2030, and carmakers already have six years before the 2032 deadline to spread costs across volumes. Safety features that start as expensive options, like airbags and ABS, have tended to get cheaper once they become standard. Whether that happens here depends on the final rules.

Which affordable cars already offer AEB in India?

Several mainstream cars already have AEB or a collision mitigation system inside their ADAS packs. Here are five, with the starting ex-showroom price of the variant that carries it, based on Autocar India's 28 Oct 2026 list. Prices differ by engine, gearbox and city, so confirm with your dealer.

Note that the Baleno's launch coverage does not say which variant carries the ADAS pack, so check the exact trim before booking.

What should you do if you are buying a car now?

• Ask whether the variant has AEB, and whether it is the full system or only a forward collision warning. They are not the same.
• Do not wait for 2030 just because of this draft. Rules can change after the 30-day comment window, and the cars you can buy today are already safer than ones from a few years ago.
• Check the Bharat NCAP or Global NCAP rating alongside the ADAS list. Airbags and body strength still matter most.
• Keep your car in shape for the sensors: a clean windscreen, working lights and a healthy battery all help camera-based systems.

Camera-based AEB sees less in poor light, so good headlights matter. If your car has dim halogens, a bright plug and play upgrade such as the Autofy Falcon LED car headlight is one practical step for night driving. A flat battery can also disable every electronic aid, so keeping a Autofy VoltX jump starter in the boot is useful insurance.

If your car supports wireless phone mirroring, the Autofy K1 wireless CarPlay adapter cuts cable clutter and keeps your attention on the road. And if you are buying a compact SUV like the Kia Seltos or Tata Punch, a Autofy ECONO Kia Seltos car cover or Autofy ECONO Tata Punch car cover keeps the paint and sensors cleaner between drives.

Is mandatory AEB good for buyers?

AUTOFY PICK Autofy VoltX Jump Starter and 150 PSI Tyre Inflator Every driver aid, AEB included, needs a healthy battery. The VoltX packs an 8000mAh jump starter for 12V cars up to 6000cc and a 150 PSI inflator in one boot kit. Rs 4,099 Shop on Autofy →

Key takeaways

• MoRTH has drafted rules for mandatory AEB on new cars: new models from 1 Oct 2030, all models from 1 Oct 2032.
• Cars offering AEBS must meet AIS-185 from 1 Oct 2028, and taxis need ACSF and ELKS from 1 Oct 2029.
• The draft has a 30-day comment window, so dates may change.
• No official price impact is announced; any rise is our estimate.
• Honda Amaze, Maruti Baleno, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Tata Nexon and Honda City already offer AEB from about Rs 9.39 lakh.

Frequently asked questions