New Delhi- In a strong push to improve road safety and reduce fatalities, the Government of India has urged all two-wheeler riders to use only BIS-certified helmets. The Department of Consumer Affairs, along with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), is leading a nationwide campaign to eliminate substandard helmets from the market and ensure strict enforcement of quality standards.
With over 21 crore two-wheelers plying on Indian roads, the quality of helmets has emerged as a crucial safety concern. While wearing a helmet is legally mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, many riders still use low-grade helmets that fail to offer real protection. To address this, the government had made it compulsory in 2021 for all helmets to comply with ISI standards under BIS certification (IS 4151:2015).
Despite these rules, roadside markets continue to be flooded with poor-quality helmets lacking BIS certification. These pose a severe threat to public safety and have been linked to numerous avoidable fatalities. As of June 2025, there are 176 helmet manufacturers in India holding valid BIS licenses, yet the presence of illegal and non-compliant products in the market remains a pressing concern.
To tackle this, BIS has intensified its vigilance across the country. In the last financial year alone, the agency conducted over 30 search-and-seizure operations, testing more than 500 helmet samples. One major crackdown in Delhi led to the seizure of 2,500 non-compliant helmets from nine manufacturers operating without valid licences. Additionally, raids at 17 retail and roadside vendors resulted in the confiscation of nearly 500 substandard helmets, with legal action already in motion.
The Department has reached out to District Collectors and Magistrates, calling for coordinated action against those producing or selling helmets without BIS certification. It has asked officials to personally oversee special campaigns and align them with existing road safety efforts to amplify impact. Encouraging results have already been seen in the Delhi-NCR region, with the campaign gradually expanding to other states.
In Chennai, a notable BIS roadshow earlier this year saw the distribution of BIS-certified helmets and awareness drives in partnership with local traffic authorities. Efforts to raise public awareness are being supported through traditional media, social media platforms, and civil society collaborations.
To empower consumers, BIS has enhanced its BIS Care App and online portal, allowing users to verify whether a helmet manufacturer is certified and to file complaints against violators. Through its Quality Connect campaign, BIS volunteers known as ‘Manak Mitras’ are actively educating people about the importance of certified safety gear.
This multi-pronged initiative reaffirms the government’s commitment to road safety and consumer protection. By removing unsafe helmets from circulation and encouraging citizens to choose certified products, the Centre aims to prevent unnecessary road deaths and foster a culture of responsibility and awareness among India’s growing population of two-wheeler riders.
