ABS to be mandatory on all two-wheelers in India from 2026: Transport Ministry

In a major move to enhance road safety, the Union Ministry of Road Transport has announced that all new two-wheelers sold in India from 2026 onwards must be equipped with Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS), regardless of engine capacity. Until now, single-channel ABS was mandatory only for bikes with engine capacity of 125cc and above.

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The new rule aims to address the high rate of accidents involving two-wheelers. According to data from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), two-wheelers accounted for 44.5% of total road accidents in 2022, with many victims suffering head injuries. To combat this, the government has decided to make ABS mandatory across all models to reduce skidding and improve vehicle control during emergency braking.

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) reported that over 1.96 crore two-wheelers were sold in the 2025 fiscal year, with 1.53 crore being models with 125cc engines or lower—comprising 78% of total sales. The rule could increase the price of these vehicles by at least ₹2,000.

In addition, the government is considering a mandate requiring dealers to provide two helmets with every new two-wheeler sold, to further strengthen road safety measures.

ABS is a crucial safety feature that prevents wheel lock-up during sudden braking, helping riders maintain control and avoid crashes.