Why in the News?

On 3 August 2026, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) issued a draft notification proposing the phased, mandatory adoption of Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication systems in India, to be governed by a new technical standard, AIS-230. The draft has been placed in the public domain for consultation.

Introduction

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication is a wireless technology that allows vehicles to directly exchange real-time safety data — such as location, speed, direction and braking status — with nearby vehicles, without relying on mobile networks or the internet.

Basic Details

Nodal Bodies: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH); Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
Governing Standard: AIS-230, India's new Automotive Industry Standard for V2V systems.
Radio Spectrum: Operates on the 5.875-5.905 GHz band, exempted from licensing by the DoT vide notification G.S.R. 466(E) dated 10 June 2026.
Compliance from AIS-230: 1 October 2027, for vehicles already fitted with V2V systems.
Mandatory Fitment from: 1 October 2028, for all newly manufactured vehicles in the notified categories.

Technological Concepts Involved

What It Is: An onboard wireless unit fitted in a vehicle that continuously broadcasts and receives short-range safety signals from nearby vehicles. It gives drivers advance warning of hazards such as sudden braking, stalled vehicles, or approaching traffic in low-visibility conditions.
Technical Basis: AIS-230 prescribes minimum technical, functional, environmental, performance and cybersecurity requirements for V2V systems.
Broader Family: Falls under Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) technologies, which also include Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication.
Example Use Case: A braking vehicle broadcasts an instant alert to following vehicles, well before the driver can visually spot the brake lights. This is particularly useful in dense fog or on high-speed highways.

Applications

Collision Warnings: Advance collision warnings between moving vehicles.
Stationary-Vehicle Alerts: Alerts for stationary or parked vehicles being approached by fast-moving traffic from behind.
Low-Visibility Warnings: Warnings during low-visibility conditions such as dense winter fog, where chain pile-ups are common.
Chain-Reaction Prevention: Reduction of secondary, chain-reaction accidents on highways.

Significance

Major Road-Safety Push: Positioned as a significant intervention, given India's high number of road accident fatalities annually.
Consultative Process: The draft notification is open for public consultation; the ministry will examine comments received within 30 days before issuing a final notification.