Centre Cracks Down on Substandard Helmets, Mandates BIS-Certified Usage for Two-Wheeler Safety

New Delhi, July 6, 2025:The Central Government has come down hard on makers and sellers of poor-quality helmets, directing states to take strict action in order to boost rider safety. With more than 21 crore two-wheelers on Indian roads, officials say safety can’t be left to chance anymore. Both the Department of Consumer Affairs and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) are urging the public: stick to BIS-certified helmets. Using anything else is risky and has been linked to deadly accidents. To show they mean business, the BIS has already seized 2,500 substandard helmets in Delhi, kicking off what looks to be a nationwide crackdown. (Image Courtesy - Pixabay/Canva)

Nationwide Crackdown on Non-Compliant Helmets

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has told district authorities and magistrates to get tough on helmet sellers pushing products without BIS certification. Apparently, a lot of those helmets you spot on the roadside do not meet safety standards and could put riders in serious danger. Officials from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) have already done over 30 raids this year, testing upwards of 500 helmets. The rule? Only ISI-marked, BIS-certified helmets are allowed—this has been the law since 2021. Right now, there are 176 officially licensed helmet makers in India. But, despite the rules, plenty of people are still selling dodgy helmets, putting millions of two-wheeler riders at risk. The ministry isn’t having it.

State Authorities and Police to Bolster Enforcement

BIS branches have been told to work hand-in-hand with district officials and the police, tightening the net on rule-breakers. Over in Bengaluru, RTO teams recently cracked down on shops peddling substandard helmets—six stores got slapped with ₹50,000 fines and formal notices. The BIS’s ‘Quality Connect’ initiative, backed up by ‘Manak Mitra’ volunteers, is pushing to educate the public about the need for certified helmets. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi made it clear: rider safety comes first, and he’s urging states to get tough on anyone flouting the rules. Shoppers are being told—if you spot non-certified helmets for sale, report it to the Department of Consumer Affairs or BIS.
Keywords: substandard helmets, BIS-certified helmets, two-wheeler safety, Central Government directive, helmet safety standards, road accident prevention, ISI-marked helmets, consumer safety