Mandatory ABS Coming to All Bikes and Scooters Soon – Major Safety Move by MORTH.

Yes, dear, today I am going to tell you something which you will not believe, and maybe you know that in 2022, 75,000 people lost their lives due to two-wheeler accidents alone?

It is very sad to know that India has become the country with the highest number of road accident deaths in the world, and the biggest culprit is – lack of bike and scooter safety.

But to find a solution to this, MORTH has taken a big move in which ABS is being made mandatory for all two-wheelers.

But its impact will not be limited to safety, but will also extend to price, policy, and the commuter segment.

Let us understand all the dimensions of this new rule. Stay with us for complete information.

New Safety Norm: ABS Now Mandatory For Every Two-Wheeler.

Till now, single-channel ABS was compulsory only in bikes of 125cc and above. In this rule, apart from engine capacity, power output (11 kW or 15 hp) or power-to-weight ratio (0.1 kW/kg) was also considered.

But now MORTH is planning to install ABS in bikes and scooters of every engine size – be it 100cc or 110cc. Till now, scooters below 125cc were equipped with CBS (Combi Braking System), but according to studies, ABS can reduce accidents by up to 33%.

When skidding occurs due to braking, ABS acts as a savior, and its importance increases even more in a high-traffic country like India.

Cost Impact: How Much Will ABS Upgrade Cost You?

If this rule is implemented, then the prices of entry-level scooters and bikes like Hero Splendor, Activa, Honda Shine 100, HF Deluxe, TVS Jupiter, Honda Dio, TVS XL, etc, can increase by Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000. Anyway, there is nothing like this much price hike.

But due to the high volume, OEMs can reduce production costs. But there will be pressure on the government to neutralize this sudden price hike, especially when the entry-level commuter segment is already budget-sensitive.

Tax Relief Ahead? A Hope For Commuters.

Industry experts like Rajiv Bajaj have already shown their opposition to the existing 28% GST rate. If the government wants to reduce the financial impact of this upgrade, it can bring down the GST rate to 12% or 18%. This can make bikes more affordable, and despite the new ABS rule, the price shock for buyers will remain low.

Helmets Rule: Two Helmets For Every New Bike.

Another major step that MORTH is going to take – two BIS-certified helmets will be mandatory with every new two-wheeler. One for the rider, and one for the pillion. Deaths due to head injuries are quite high, and this step targets that.

We all know that every year we get to hear so much news about deaths in accidents, and most of them are due to head injuries, but even after this, there is a huge lack of awareness in India; people do not follow the rules.

The cost of a helmet will also increase the price of the bike. The government will also have to see how the low-income and budget-conscious buyers will handle this price rise. Again, GST relaxation can be a logical solution to this.

When Will These ABS Mandatory Rules For Every Two-Wheeler Be Implemented?

MORTH has just issued an initial notification; the complete guideline will be released in a few weeks. As per the inputs received so far, this new ABS rule will be applicable from January 2026.

This means that OEMs will have a lot of time to comply with the rule, but this will be a major shift for both consumers and manufacturers.

A Much-Needed Move, But With Conditions.

There is no doubt in terms of safety – making ABS mandatory is a life-saving decision. Even if it is costly, there is no value in such cost in front of life. But if the government implements it smartly with tax relaxation, then this rule can give a new shape to India’s road safety ecosystem.