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The Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) is a state-of-the-art automotive test centre established by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India under the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP). It is located on a 304-acre campus at the SIPCOT Industrial Growth Centre, Oragadam, near Chennai in Tamil Nadu.
GARC has been authorised by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways as a test agency under Rule 126 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. It operates full-fledged research and homologation test facilities — including five categories of test track — capable of certifying all categories of vehicles, systems and components against national and international standards.
GARC's certification laboratory holds NABL accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 across mechanical and electrical disciplines. Under the Government of India's FAME and successor electric mobility schemes, GARC established dedicated facilities for the development and certification testing of electric and hybrid electric vehicles, making it a principal route for EV homologation in South India.
Manufacturers in the Chennai, Hosur, Bengaluru and Coimbatore clusters requiring CMVR type approval close to their plants.
Electric and hybrid vehicle makers requiring AIS-038 Rev 2, AIS-156 and AIS-102 certification and incentive-scheme testing.
Battery pack, cell module, motor and controller suppliers requiring safety and performance validation.
Suppliers of lighting, safety components, mirrors, seat belts and structural parts requiring AIS-017 approval.
Businesses importing vehicles into India through Chennai and Ennore ports requiring homologation before customs clearance.
Manufacturers claiming PLI-Auto, PM E-DRIVE and state EV policy benefits that require notified agency testing certificates.
GARC provides regulatory certification, development testing and track-based validation for vehicles, systems and components. We identify the applicable route and manage the process end-to-end.
| GARC Service / Scheme | Purpose | Validity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type Approval (TAC) | Full CMVR homologation of vehicle models against applicable AIS standards. | Model life | Mandatory |
| Component Type Approval | Certification of safety-critical automotive components under AIS-017. | Model life | Mandatory |
| EV & Hybrid Certification | AIS-038 Rev 2, AIS-156 and AIS-102 approval for EVs, packs and charging systems. | Model life | Mandatory |
| Battery & Cell Testing | Safety, performance, abuse and thermal propagation testing of traction batteries. | Per report | Mandatory |
| Passive Safety Testing | Full-vehicle crash, sled, pedestrian protection and occupant safety evaluation. | Per report | Mandatory |
| Photometry & Lighting Approval | Approval of headlamps, signalling devices and retro-reflective devices. | Model life | Mandatory |
| Conformity of Production (COP) | Periodic audit confirming production units match the approved type (Rule 126A). | Annual / periodic | Mandatory |
| Incentive Scheme Testing | Testing and certification for PLI-Auto, PM E-DRIVE and state EV policies. | Per scheme | Scheme-linked |
| Track-Based Validation | High-speed, gradient, braking, noise and steering pad evaluation on GARC tracks. | Per report | Optional |
| Mileage Accumulation & Durability | Chassis dynamometer mileage accumulation and durability programmes. | Per programme | Optional |
| Vibration & Environmental Testing | Shaker table, climatic and environmental qualification of components. | Per report | Optional |
| Calibration Services | NABL-traceable calibration of test instruments and equipment. | Per certificate | Optional |
PCN Global India manages the complete GARC certification cycle — scope mapping, application, documentation, sample logistics to Oragadam, track and lab test coordination, observation closure and COP renewal.
Classification under AIS-053 vehicle categories and mapping of every applicable CMVR rule and AIS standard for the product.
Registration on the GARC homologation and test centre portal, application submission, scope agreement and fee payment.
Assembly of the AIS-007 technical specification file, drawings, BoM, schematics and, for EVs, battery and BMS documentation.
Assessment of design data and existing test evidence to identify likely non-conformities before sample commitment.
Delivery of prototypes to Oragadam and booking of laboratory and test-track slots in the right sequence.
Coordination and witnessing of certification tests across passive safety, EV, photometry, durability and track-based evaluations.
Preparation of technical responses to observations, management of re-tests, and issuance of the GARC TAC and test reports.
Annual Conformity of Production audits, variant extensions, design-change assessments and continued compliance management.
Timelines assume complete documentation at submission and no major re-test. Delays are almost always caused by incomplete technical files or a failed test requiring design change.
Requirements vary by product category and certification scheme. We issue a customised checklist after technical consultation; typical requirements are below.
GARC's notified scope covers all categories of vehicles, systems and components, with particular strength in electric mobility and passive safety.
GARC certifies against the same national regulatory framework as other notified agencies. The applicable set depends on category, powertrain and intended use.
| Standard / Rule | Subject | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| CMVR Rule 126 | Type approval by notified test agency | All vehicles & components |
| CMVR Rule 126A | Conformity of Production requirements | All approved types |
| CMVR Rule 126E | Bharat NCAP star rating assessment | M1 vehicles (voluntary) |
| CMVR Rule 115 | Mass emission standards (BS-VI) | All powered vehicles |
| CMVR Rule 120 | Noise limits for motor vehicles | All powered vehicles |
| AIS-007 | Format for technical specifications | All type approval files |
| AIS-017 | Type approval & COP for components | Safety-critical components |
| AIS-037 | Type approval & COP procedure for vehicles | All vehicle categories |
| AIS-038 (Rev 2) | Electric power train vehicles — safety requirements | M & N category EVs |
| AIS-156 | Specific requirements for L-category EV powertrain | Electric 2W & 3W |
| AIS-102 (Part 1 & 2) | EV conductive charging system | EVs and chargers |
| AIS-048 / IS 16893 | Traction battery safety requirements | Battery packs |
| AIS-098 / AIS-096 | Frontal and lateral collision protection | M1 crash testing |
| AIS-100 | Pedestrian protection requirements | M1 & N1 vehicles |
| AIS-099 | Occupant protection in rear impact | M1 vehicles |
| AIS-140 | Vehicle location tracking and panic button | Public service vehicles |
GARC's 304-acre campus combines a multi-surface proving ground with a set of NABL-accredited certification laboratories, allowing lab and track testing to be run in the same programme.
| Facility | Capability Highlights | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| High Speed Track (4.5 km) | Maximum speed, fuel economy, constant-speed and endurance runs | Full vehicle homologation |
| Braking Surface Track | Multi-friction surfaces for ABS and brake performance testing | Braking approvals |
| Gradient / Hill Track | Varying gradients for hill start, climbing and parking brake tests | Gradeability testing |
| External Noise Track | ISO-compliant surface for pass-by noise measurement | Rule 120 noise compliance |
| Steering Pad | Circular pad for steady-state handling and stability evaluation | Vehicle dynamics |
| Advanced Passive Safety Lab | Full-vehicle crash, sled testing, dummies, high-speed imaging | M1 crash & BNCAP |
| Pedestrian Safety Laboratory | Head-form, leg-form and upper-leg impactor testing | AIS-100 compliance |
| Photometry Laboratory | Headlamps, signalling devices, reflective devices, light sources | Lighting manufacturers |
| Safety Component Laboratory | Seat belts, mirrors, horns, glazing, restraint systems | Component approvals |
| Mileage Accumulation Chassis Dyno | Durability and mileage accumulation programmes | Emission durability |
| Vibration Shaker Laboratory | Multi-axis vibration and environmental qualification | Component durability |
| EV & Battery Test Facility | Battery, motor, controller and charging system certification | EV & hybrid makers |
Common questions about GARC certification, CMVR homologation and EV testing at Chennai.
GARC certification is the Type Approval issued by the Global Automotive Research Centre, Oragadam — a test agency authorised under Rule 126 of the CMVR by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. It confirms that a vehicle, system or component complies with applicable Indian safety, emission and performance regulations.
GARC was established by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India under the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP). It operates as a government test centre on a 304-acre campus at the SIPCOT Industrial Growth Centre, Oragadam, near Chennai.
Yes. All agencies notified under Rule 126 issue certificates of equal legal standing. The choice between them is practical — scope coverage for the specific tests you need, proximity to your plant, lab and track availability, and cost.
Yes, and it is one of its strengths. GARC established dedicated EV and hybrid certification facilities under the FAME scheme and tests under AIS-038 Rev 2, AIS-156 and AIS-102, covering battery packs, motors, controllers, BMS and charging systems.
GARC operates five test track types: a 4.5 km high-speed track, a braking surface track with multiple friction surfaces, a gradient or hill track, an external noise track and a steering pad — enough to complete track-based homologation testing on site.
A typical programme runs 9–23 weeks end-to-end: 2–4 weeks for documentation and application, 5–14 weeks for testing, and 2–5 weeks for report review and certificate issuance. Crash-intensive programmes sit at the longer end.
Yes. GARC’s certification laboratory holds NABL accreditation under ISO/IEC 17025 for general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, covering mechanical and electrical disciplines.
Yes. GARC conducts Conformity of Production audits under Rule 126A and issues COP certificates. COP is a recurring obligation, normally annual, and must be maintained for the Type Approval to remain effective in practice.
Yes, through an Indian subsidiary, importer or appointed Authorised Indian Representative who handles the application, fees, samples and COP obligations. We can structure and manage that arrangement for overseas OEMs.
GARC is among the notified testing agencies for the PLI scheme for Automobiles and Auto Components and for government electric mobility incentive programmes. Testing certificates from a notified agency are a precondition for claiming these incentives.
For manufacturers in the South India cluster, GARC is usually the shortest path to CMVR approval. Our consultants handle scope mapping, application filing, AIS-007 documentation, sample logistics to Oragadam, lab and track coordination and annual COP — end to end.
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