BIS and Consumer Affairs Department Launch Nationwide Campaign to Promote Use of BIS-Certified Helmets for Road Safety

In a significant step toward improving road safety across the country, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), in partnership with the Department of Consumer Affairs, has launched an ambitious nationwide awareness campaign urging two-wheeler riders to wear only BIS-certified helmets.

 

The campaign is titled “Helmet – More Than Just a Shell. Choose Smart. Ride Safe,” and seeks to shift public perception around helmet usage, from a penalty-avoidance tool to a critical life-saving device.
#RideSafeIndia #CertifiedHelmetOnly

 

India, home to one of the world’s largest populations of two-wheeler users, witnesses an alarming number of road fatalities each year. According to official data, two-wheeler riders account for nearly 45% of total road accident deaths, underscoring the urgent need for stricter safety measures and increased awareness about proper head protection.
#RoadSafetyMatters

While the modern helmet may seem like a basic part of everyday riding gear, its origins trace back to ancient protective headgear used in warfare and harsh conditions. However, despite enormous advancements in helmet design, technology, and regulatory standards, helmet usage in India remains inconsistent and largely compliance-driven. A significant number of riders continue to wear helmets only near police checkpoints, with many opting for low-cost, uncertified alternatives that are dangerously ineffective.

The World Health Organization has emphasized the role of helmets in preventing fatalities and serious injuries. It states that wearing a properly certified helmet can reduce the risk of death by six times and lower the chance of a traumatic brain injury by up to 74%. However, in India’s bustling roadside markets, fake helmets with counterfeit ISI marks continue to proliferate, misleading unsuspecting buyers into a false sense of security.

These helmets fail critical safety tests and often break apart or fall off during crashes, doing more harm than good.
#BewareFakeHelmets

To address this growing menace, the government introduced a Quality Control Order (QCO) in 2021 mandating that all two-wheeler helmets must conform to Indian Standard IS 4151:2015 and be certified by BIS.

These certified helmets are subject to a stringent testing process, ensuring they provide robust protection in real-world conditions. Tests assess impact absorption, chin strap strength, field of vision, sound penetration, and even performance under extreme temperatures.
#BISStandardsSaveLives

As of June 2025, there are 176 licensed manufacturers across India authorized to produce BIS-certified helmets. This number represents the growing industry acceptance of quality benchmarks, but the presence of illegal manufacturers remains a problem.

To fight this, BIS has intensified its enforcement actions. In the fiscal year 2024–25 alone, the agency conducted more than 30 raids, seizing over 2,500 non-compliant helmets from illicit manufacturers in Delhi, and an additional 500 fake helmets from retail shops across 17 Indian cities. Legal action against these violators is actively being pursued.

In addition, District Magistrates and local police forces have been directed to crack down on both manufacturers and retailers of non-certified helmets. Meanwhile, awareness drives are taking place in urban centres like Chennai, where public roadshows, rallies, and free certified helmet distribution events are educating the public and promoting safe riding practices.
#SayNoToCounterfeit #HelmetAwareness

Recognizing the importance of empowering the consumer, BIS has also ramped up its outreach efforts. The BIS Care App is an easy-to-use mobile application that allows users to verify helmet certification numbers, check manufacturer authenticity, and report potentially fake products.

Furthermore, volunteer-led grassroots campaigns under the “Quality Connect” initiative are reaching deeper into communities. Local ambassadors, known as Manak Mitras, are actively engaging with students, workers, and families to stress the life-saving significance of choosing certified helmets.
#BISCareApp #ManakMitrasInAction

The core message of the campaign is simple yet powerful: a helmet is not just a head covering—it’s a scientifically engineered safety device that can mean the difference between life and death. In the crucial seconds of a road accident, it is not the color, design, or brand of the helmet that protects you, but the standards it meets.

By making the right choice and investing in a BIS-certified helmet, riders are not just avoiding fines — they are prioritizing their lives, their families, and their futures. In a country where millions take to the roads on two wheels every day, such a small act can have a transformative impact.
#LifeOverLooks #ChooseSmartRideSafe

With India’s roads becoming increasingly congested and accidents more frequent, this campaign is a timely and vital intervention. The government’s call is clear: let us make safety a habit, not an afterthought. Together, we can turn India into a model for road safety and responsible riding behavior, one helmet at a time.
#IndiaRidesSafe #HelmetSavesLives