Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is tightening vehicle rules, with draft BS-VII norms issued 14 October 2026 for new passenger cars from 1 April 2029, plus brake-particle caps and EV battery-durability rules (NDTV Profit, 14 Oct). Wider proposals, such as hydrogen buses on 10 routes, carry no timeline (ET Auto Retail, 27 Sept).
What it means Automakers, dealers and component suppliers face a new compliance cycle.
Latest moves
Our read of each move first, where we have one; what the report said is marked Reported.
Background
From 6 stories, the newest dated 27 Sept 2026. Summary written 11 Oct 2026. Newer developments are under Latest moves.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) is the Indian government ministry headed by Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari.[1] source: ET Auto Retail
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It handles vehicle rules and road-transport policy, including low-speed electric vehicle limits, driving licences, vehicle safety assessment and emission standards.[2] source: The Hindu BusinessLine[3] source: ET Small Business[4] source: Business Today
In September 2026 Gadkari launched OneTag, which lets NETC FASTag users switch issuer banks through NHAI's Rajmargyatra app without replacing the physical tag or changing the Tag ID.[5] source: Times of India MoRTH proposed raising the motor-power limit for unregistered low-speed EVs from below 250W (0.25kW) to below 600W (0.6kW), with maximum speed staying below 25 kmph and the 60 kg unladen-weight ceiling proposed for removal.[2] source: The Hindu BusinessLine The ministry also plans a graded negative-points system for driving licences and vehicle RCs, and Bharat NCAP 2.0 from October 2027.[3] source: ET Small Business The plan lists 1,600 driving training centres, of which 24 are operational and 112 are in the pipeline.[3] source: ET Small Business The government will allow a Rs 4,000-5,000 IIT Delhi retrofit device for older diesel trucks and buses, pending AIS 228 standards.[6] source: ET Small Business MoRTH expects to release a draft of BS-VII emission norms within two months.[4] source: Business Today Gadkari said hydrogen buses will run on 10 routes.[1] source: ET Auto Retail
Business Today reported the BS-VII draft expectation around the 66th SIAM Annual Convention, and SIAM is named in coverage of the ministry's safety and retrofit plans.[3] source: ET Small Business[4] source: Business Today
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Who leads Ministry of Road Transport and Highways?
Nitin Gadkari is the Road Transport Minister who leads the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and he announced the ministry's hydrogen bus plans in September 2026.[1] source: ET Auto Retail
What is the latest on Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in Indian retail?
In September 2026 Nitin Gadkari launched OneTag, which lets NETC FASTag users switch issuer banks through NHAI's Rajmargyatra app without replacing their tag or changing the Tag ID; fresh KYC is required.[5] source: Times of India
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