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The International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) is a division of NATRiP Implementation Society under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, located at IMT Manesar in Gurugram, Haryana. It was set up under the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRiP) to give the Indian automotive industry world-class testing, validation and homologation capability.
By notification of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways vide G.S.R. 276(E) dated 10 April 2007, ICAT is authorised to function as an independent Type Approval and Homologation agency under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules. It issues Type Approval Certificates (TAC) and Conformity of Production (COP) certificates for vehicles, engines, systems and components across all major categories.
For manufacturers and importers located in the northern automotive cluster — Gurugram, Manesar, Neemrana, Bhiwadi, Pune-independent supply chains and the NCR component belt — ICAT is often the fastest practical route to CMVR approval, with particular depth in electromagnetic compatibility, automotive lighting, NVH, passive safety and tyre testing.
Manufacturers of two-wheelers, three-wheelers, passenger cars, commercial vehicles and tractors needing CMVR type approval before launch.
Businesses importing complete or knocked-down vehicles into India, requiring homologation for customs clearance and RTO registration.
Suppliers of lighting, mirrors, horns, wiring, ECUs, tyres and other safety-critical parts requiring AIS-017 approval.
Makers of ECUs, infotainment, telematics and electronic sub-assemblies requiring CISPR 25 / AIS-004 (Part 3) EMC compliance.
Electric two-wheeler, three-wheeler and four-wheeler makers requiring AIS-038 Rev 2, AIS-156 and AIS-102 certification.
Manufacturers claiming PLI-Auto, PM E-DRIVE and similar incentives that require a notified agency's testing certificate.
ICAT offers certification, testing, validation and engineering services across the full product development cycle. Our consultants determine which ICAT route applies to your product and manage the process from scope definition to certificate.
| ICAT Service / Scheme | Purpose | Validity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type Approval (TAC) | Complete 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 |
| Engine & Powertrain Approval | Emission, performance and durability approval of engines and powertrains. | Model life | Mandatory |
| Tractor & CEV Approval | Type approval of agricultural tractors and construction equipment vehicles. | Model life | Mandatory |
| EV & Battery Certification | AIS-038 Rev 2, AIS-156 and AIS-102 approval for EVs, packs and chargers. | Model life | Mandatory |
| EMC Testing & Certification | Electromagnetic compatibility testing under AIS-004 (Part 3) and CISPR 25. | 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. | Annual / periodic | Mandatory |
| PLI-Auto & Incentive Testing | Testing and certification for PLI-Auto and government EV incentive schemes. | Per scheme | Scheme-linked |
| Testing & Validation Services | Non-regulatory development testing across fatigue, NVH, durability and CAE. | Per report | Optional |
| Calibration Services | Calibration of instruments and in-house test equipment. | Per certificate | Optional |
| Design & Engineering Support | CAD/CAE, powertrain development and product engineering assistance. | Per project | Optional |
PCN Global India handles the entire ICAT homologation cycle — applicability assessment, application filing, technical documentation, sample logistics to Manesar, witness testing, observation closure and COP renewal.
Classification of the product under AIS-053 categories and identification of every applicable CMVR rule and AIS standard, including EMC and lighting requirements.
Registration with ICAT's certification division, submission of the application, scope agreement and fee payment.
Compilation of the AIS-007 technical specification file, drawings, BoM, schematics and system descriptions.
Review of design data and existing test evidence to flag likely failure points before samples are committed.
Coordination of prototype delivery to IMT Manesar, slot booking across EMC, photometry, NVH, passive safety and tyre labs.
Attendance during regulatory tests, technical response preparation for observations, and re-test planning where required.
Verification of draft certificate data and issuance of the ICAT Type Approval Certificate and test reports.
Annual COP audit preparation, variant and design-change extensions, 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 differ by product category and certification route. We provide a customised checklist after the initial technical consultation; typical requirements are set out below.
ICAT's notified scope covers the full range of on-road vehicle categories along with tractors, construction equipment and a wide spectrum of automotive components.
Every ICAT approval is issued against a defined regulatory scope. The list below covers the standards most frequently applicable; the exact set depends on category and powertrain.
| 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 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-004 (Part 3) | Electromagnetic compatibility requirements | Vehicles & electronic assemblies |
| AIS-008 / AIS-009 / AIS-010 | Lighting and light-signalling device installation | Lamps and vehicles |
| AIS-038 (Rev 2) | Electric power train vehicles — safety | 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-140 | Vehicle location tracking and panic button | Public service vehicles |
| AIS-153 / AIS-142 | Tyre requirements and rolling resistance | Tyres and wheels |
| CISPR 25 / CISPR 12 | Radiated and conducted emission limits | Electronic sub-assemblies |
| TREM Stage-IV / CEV BS-V | Off-road and construction equipment emissions | Tractors and CEV |
ICAT operates two campuses at IMT Manesar with a broad set of NABL-accredited laboratories and an on-site test track. Slot availability varies sharply between labs; sequencing matters.
| Laboratory / Facility | Capability Highlights | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| EMC Laboratory | Full-vehicle and component EMC, CISPR 25, immunity testing | Electronics & EVs |
| Photometry Laboratory | Headlamps, signalling devices, retro-reflectors, light sources | Lighting manufacturers |
| Passive Safety Laboratory | Full-vehicle crash, sled, pedestrian protection, dummies | M1 & N1 homologation |
| NVH Laboratory | Semi-anechoic chamber, pass-by noise, sound intensity | Noise compliance |
| Emissions Laboratory | Chassis dyno, BS-VI emission, RDE, fuel economy | All powered vehicles |
| Engine Test Cells | Engine dyno, performance, endurance, calibration | Engines & powertrains |
| Electrical & Electronics Laboratory | ECU validation, battery, motor and charger testing | EV & hybrid systems |
| Fatigue Testing Laboratory | Multi-axial durability rigs, road load data replication | Chassis & structures |
| Tyre Test Laboratory | Endurance, high speed, rolling resistance, wet grip | Tyre manufacturers |
| Component Test Laboratory | Mirrors, horns, wipers, glazing, seat belts, fuel systems | Component approvals |
| Vehicle Evaluation & Test Track | Brake performance, ride, handling, on-site track trials | Full vehicle dynamics |
| CAD / CAE Laboratory | Structural, crash and thermal simulation | Design validation |
Common questions about ICAT certification, CMVR homologation and type approval at Manesar.
ICAT certification is the Type Approval issued by the International Centre for Automotive Technology, Manesar — a test agency notified under the CMVR by MoRTH vide G.S.R. 276(E) dated 10 April 2007. It certifies that a vehicle, engine or component complies with applicable Indian safety, emission and performance regulations.
Type approval from a notified agency is mandatory under Rule 126 of the CMVR. ICAT is one of several notified agencies; you must obtain approval from one of them, and ICAT is a valid choice wherever it holds the notified scope for your product.
Legally there is none — both are notified under Rule 126 and their certificates carry identical standing. The practical differences are scope coverage for specific tests, facility depth, geographic location and lab queue length. ICAT is typically preferred by North India manufacturers and for EMC, lighting and tyre-heavy programmes; ARAI has the broadest overall scope.
ICAT operates from Plot 26, Sector 3, IMT Manesar, Gurugram, Haryana 122050, with a second campus in the same industrial area. It is roughly 40 km from Gurugram and within easy reach of the Delhi NCR and Rajasthan manufacturing belt.
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. Component-only approvals are considerably faster.
Yes. ICAT is notified for EV and hybrid certification and carries out testing under AIS-038 Rev 2 for M and N category EVs, AIS-156 for L-category electric two- and three-wheelers, and AIS-102 for conductive charging systems, along with battery, motor and BMS validation.
Yes. ICAT 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.
Foreign OEMs apply through an Indian subsidiary, importer or an appointed Authorised Indian Representative who takes on the application, fee payment, sample handling and COP responsibility. We can set up and manage this arrangement.
ICAT is among the notified testing agencies for the Production Linked Incentive scheme for Automobiles and Auto Components and for government EV incentive programmes. Manufacturers claiming these incentives require testing certificates confirming Advanced Automotive Technology criteria and domestic value addition.
At minimum: company KYC and authorisation documents, an AIS-007 format technical specification sheet, general arrangement drawings, bill of materials, and any existing test evidence. Category-specific documents — EMC architecture, photometric drawings, battery data — are added depending on the product.
Homologation delays hold up launches, imports and incentive claims. Our consultants manage the complete ICAT process — scope mapping, application filing, AIS-007 documentation, sample logistics to Manesar, witness testing and annual COP — so your approval lands on time.
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