India is moving to mandate vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication in new cars on a phased timeline, requiring AIS-230 compliant V2V systems in categories L, M and N manufactured from October 1, 2027, and making AIS-230-based V2V systems mandatory from October 1, 2028.

The regulatory push includes a national framework for V2V to complement onboard sensors, enhance safety beyond visual line of sight, and align with a broader smart mobility agenda.

To support this, the Department of Telecommunications exempted the 5.875–5.925 GHz band from licensing for V2V applications, effective via government order in June 2026.

AIS-230 sets minimum V2V On-Board Unit requirements, including operation in the 5.875–5.925 GHz band, cybersecurity, and four safety applications: Emergency Brake Alert, Forward Collision Warning, Wrong-Way Driving Alert, and Emergency Vehicle Alert.

Public feedback is invited for 30 days before final notification, with the government indicating the proposed framework would enhance situational awareness and safety warnings.

If finalized, India would become a major market with a formal V2V regulatory structure guiding automakers toward connected-vehicle deployment.

The framework envisions C-V2X as the mandated standard, diverging from DSRC and signaling a shift toward cellular-based V2X technology in line with global trends.

India’s move draws on international examples—while the U.S. wrestled with DSRC versus C-V2X, the EU pursued technology neutrality, and China pushed ahead with widespread C-V2X deployment—placing India among the more aggressive adopter nations.

The overarching aim is to strengthen road safety by improving vehicle situational awareness, enabling timely warnings, and advancing connected and intelligent transportation technologies in India.

Officials emphasize interoperability across manufacturers, robust cybersecurity, and the development of testing infrastructure to support a nationwide V2V rollout.

The draft highlights integrating V2V with road and emergency infrastructure to improve ambulance movement, traffic management, and coordinated responses on high-risk corridors.

The timeline and mandates position India as the first major economy to pledge a technology-specific V2V mandate across its entire motorized fleet.