Every ADAS camera has a blind spot. It can see what's ahead, but it can't see around a bend, past a truck, or through a wall of fog. India's roads — where wrong-way driving and sudden highway braking cause a staggering share of fatalities — demand something that goes further. On August 3, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) proposed exactly that.
The Rule, Plainly Stated
MoRTH has issued a draft notification proposing amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, for the phased implementation of V2V communication systems in motor vehicles. The rollout comes in two steps. From October 1, 2027, vehicles of categories L, M, and N that are already fitted with V2V systems will be required to comply with AIS-230. From October 1, 2028, all vehicles of categories L, M, and N manufactured on or after that date will be required to be fitted with V2V systems conforming to AIS-230. That means two-wheelers, cars, buses, and trucks — the full fleet.
What AIS-230 Actually Does
AIS-230 is not simply a signal protocol. It is India's new technical standard for V2V communication, establishing the minimum technical, functional, environmental, performance, and cybersecurity requirements for the technology operating on Indian roads. It covers factory-installed on-board units using Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) technology in the 5.875 GHz to 5.925 GHz frequency band. Critically, the Department of Telecommunications, through G.S.R. 466(E) dated June 10, 2026, has exempted the use of this frequency band from licensing requirements — removing a hurdle that has stalled spectrum-dependent technologies before.
The standard also provides for the phased introduction of safety use cases such as emergency brake alert, forward collision warning, wrong-way driving, and emergency vehicle alert.
Beyond the Sensor's Line of Sight
Here is what makes V2V structurally different from the ADAS systems already on the market. Unlike conventional vehicle-safety systems, which primarily depend on onboard sensors and driver reaction, V2V communication can provide information beyond the direct line of sight — and is therefore expected to complement ADAS and support proactive accident prevention. V2V enables nearby vehicles to exchange real-time information, including speed, position, direction, and acceleration. This information can also provide warnings to drivers or vehicle systems in safety-critical situations, including sudden braking, forward-collision risk, unsafe lane changes, and the approach of emergency vehicles.
The Grace Period Is the Point
The staggered timeline is intended to give automobile manufacturers and other stakeholders sufficient time to prepare for the transition. That logic is worth taking seriously. India has used the same graduated approach for airbag mandates and crash-test norms — and it has generally worked. The 2027 compliance deadline for already-fitted vehicles creates a de facto proving ground; manufacturers who move early will have a year of real-world data before the hard mandate kicks in. The ministry has invited public opinions and feedback from all stakeholders on the draft over the next 30 days, after which a final notification will be issued.
The cars on India's roads don't yet know each other exist. By 2028, they will.
Sources
- India's next road safety upgrade? Govt proposes mandatory V2V communication systems in vehicles from 2028 - BusinessToday
- Govt issues draft notification for phased V2V communication systems | India News - Business Standard
- Govt proposes phased implementation of V2V communication systems in vehicles from October 2027 - The Tribune
- From Oct 2028, new vehicles may be required to talk to each other | Auto - Business Standard
- Govt proposes draft notification framework for vehicle-to-vehicle communication to enhance safety-critical situations
- Centre Proposes Mandatory V2V Safety Tech for All New Vehicles From October 2028