India Proposes Mandatory Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication Systems by 2028

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, to make vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication systems mandatory for new vehicles in India. The proposal targets vehicles in categories L (two- and three-wheelers), M (passenger vehicles), and N (goods vehicles) to enhance road safety and reduce fatalities.

The implementation will occur in two phases. Starting October 1, 2027, any new vehicles equipped with V2V systems must comply with the AIS-230 technical standard. By October 1, 2028, all new vehicles in the specified categories must be fitted with these conforming systems.

Technologically, the framework utilizes Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology operating in the 5.875-5.925 GHz frequency band. This allows vehicles to exchange real-time data on speed, position, and braking, providing drivers with warnings about hazards beyond their line of sight, such as sudden braking, forward-collision risks, and the approach of emergency vehicles. To support this deployment, the Department of Telecommunications exempted this specific spectrum from licensing requirements on June 10, 2026.

The government is currently seeking public and stakeholder feedback for a period of 30 days before issuing the final notification.