India eases rules for vehicle safety technologies, boosting path to autonomous driving
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India has relaxed regulations governing key automotive safety technologies, a move expected to accelerate the adoption of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and support the future development of autonomous vehicles.
The government has exempted automotive radar systems operating in the 77GHz to 81GHz frequency band from licensing requirements. The spectrum is widely used for radar-based safety features such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, and blind-spot detection.
The decision also removes licensing requirements for the 5.9GHz frequency band used for vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication technology. V2X systems allow vehicles to exchange information with other vehicles and roadside infrastructure in real time, helping drivers receive warnings about hazards, traffic conditions, and approaching emergency vehicles.
The regulatory changes bring India closer to standards already adopted in major markets, including the United States and Europe.
Industry experts expect the move to make it easier for automakers to introduce globally developed safety systems in India without extensive modifications, potentially reducing costs and speeding up deployment.
Luxury car manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, which already offer advanced driver assistance features in international markets, are likely to benefit from the eased regulations. Domestic automakers, including Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, and Mahindra, may also be able to expand the availability of ADAS-equipped vehicles in the mass market.
Technology suppliers such as Bosch, Continental, and Qualcomm are also expected to benefit as demand for radar and connected vehicle components grows.
The government's move comes as India seeks to improve road safety. According to the report, more than 177,000 road fatalities were recorded in the country in 2024.
While the new regulations do not mandate the use of ADAS or V2X technologies, they remove a significant regulatory hurdle and are expected to encourage wider adoption of intelligent and connected vehicle systems.
