No ABS, No Ride: Govt Mandates ABS for All Two-Wheelers from Jan 2026
New Delhi, June 20: In a landmark move to boost road safety, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has announced that starting January 1, 2026, all two-wheelers sold in India—regardless of engine capacity—must be equipped with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS).
Currently, the rule applies only to vehicles with engine capacities above 125cc. However, given the high number of accidents involving two-wheelers, especially those with smaller engines, the government has made ABS mandatory across the board. This decision comes in the wake of data showing that 44.5% of road accidents in 2022 involved two-wheelers, with head injuries being a leading cause of death.
In addition to ABS, dealerships will also be required to provide two BIS-certified helmets with every two-wheeler—one for the rider and one for the pillion. Until now, only one helmet was mandated.
According to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), 1.96 crore two-wheelers were sold in FY26, of which 78% were 125cc or less. The price of such models is expected to rise by at least ₹2,000 due to the added ABS component.
Why ABS Matters:
ABS prevents the wheels from locking during sudden braking, helping riders maintain control of the vehicle, particularly on slippery surfaces. It significantly reduces the chances of skidding and shortens stopping distances—critical in emergency situations.
This mandate is seen as a crucial step in reducing fatalities and injuries on Indian roads, where two-wheelers dominate traffic
