The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has introduced the Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, a revamped policy aimed at modernising the ride-hailing sector with a focus on safety, driver welfare and transparent operations. Under the new guidelines, a structured fare system and clear cancellation penalties are now in place.

The policy states that the State Government's notified fare will serve as the base fare, wherein aggregators can charge a minimum of 50 percent below during non-peak hours and a maximum of two times the base fare during peak demand (as compared to 1.5x). A base fare for a minimum of 3km is chargeable to compensate for dead mileage.

Drivers are guaranteed at least 80 percent of the fare, with daily, weekly or fortnightly settlements. For aggregator-owned vehicles, drivers receive at least 60 percent of the fare.

A penalty of 10 percent of the fare (up to INR 100) may be imposed for unvalidated cancellations by either the driver or the passenger. No charge for dead mileage will apply unless the ride distance is less than 3km, the fare will only be charged from origin to destination.

The new policy introduces important provisions for aggregators:

Passenger Insurance: A minimum insurance cover of INR 500,000 for passengers is now mandatory.

Aggregators cannot prevent drivers from working with multiple platforms. A mandatory in-app rating system for both drivers and passengers is required to ensure quality service.

Furthermore, a comprehensive mandatory 40-hour Induction Training Programme is now compulsory for drivers, covering app usage, legal provisions, first responder training, safe driving and sensitivity towards gender and Divyangjans.

Drivers must undergo mandatory medical examinations, psychological analyses and police verification. Aggregators will also need to provide a Health insurance (minimum INR 500,000) and term insurance (minimum INR 1 million) for each driver, with annual increases.

Annual refresher training is now mandated, with quarterly training for drivers with low ratings. Aggregators are not allowed to onboard vehicles older than 8 years from their initial registration. The app and website (aggregator) must disclose the proportion of fare and incentives provided to drivers.

To ensure accessibility, the aggregator apps must now include special features for Divyangjans, which also provides for divyangjan-friendly vehicles mandated by State governments.

Aggregators must maintain a 24x7 control room and call centre with the vehicles requiring functional tracking devices linked to government control centres, with in-app mechanisms to detect route deviations and alert authorities.

The aggregators are responsible for the safety of all passengers, particularly children, women and Divyangjans.

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Bengaluru-headquartered engineering R&D services company L&T Technology Services (LTTS) has been selected by the Traton Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of commercial vehicles housing iconic brands such as Scania, MAN, International and Volkswagen Truck & Bus, as a strategic engineering partner.

As per the understanding, Traton Group will leverage LTTS’ Mobility segment to build a unified, future-ready product-development platform that delivers scale, speed and sustainable mobility solutions.

The automotive major recently consolidated its global R&D ecosystem to unlock cross-brand synergies while expanding the share of battery-electric vehicles in line with its 2029 profitability and sustainability targets.

On the other hand, LTTS’ will provide engineering support, from mechanical and software engineering to digital systems integration - across key development hubs in Sweden, Germany, the United States, Poland and India.

The collaboration will focus on software-defined vehicle architectures, electrified powertrains, autonomous & ADAS feature development and advanced digital engineering toolchains.

Alind Saxena, Executive Director & President - Mobility & Tech, L&T Technology Services, said, “Being selected by Traton Group is a testament to LTTS’ leadership in next-generation Mobility engineering. This collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions that align with Traton’s vision of sustainable and intelligent transportation. With our proven track record in engineering transformation, we are excited to help Traton achieve its ambitious goals of electrification, autonomy, and digital innovation while redefining the future of commercial mobility.”

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SRM Institute of Science and Technology’s (SRMIST) Centre for Electrical Mobility (CEM) has partnered with European automotive major Stellantis to support an advanced research environment that will drive innovation, skill development and support bringing concepts to real-world technologies.

Ashwin Kaundinya, AGM e-mobility propulsion systems, Stellantis, said, “We applaud SRMIST’s visionary approach to EV research. Their focus on real-world innovation and academic excellence complements Stellantis’ mission to drive sustainable mobility forward.” 

Dr Bharatiraja Chokkalingam, Centre Head - SRM Centre for Electric Mobility, added, “Our DST-PURSE grant underscores SRMIST’s commitment to advancing electric and autonomous mobility. At the Centre for Electric Mobility, we’re creating a national platform that unites innovation, skill development, and industry-focused education, equipping students, entrepreneurs, and researchers to drive India’s sustainable mobility transition.”

As part of the collaboration, Stellantis India has provided 2 Citroen e-C3 EVs to the centre to provide real-world hands-on experience on system testing, diagnostics and performance optimisation. In addition, Stellantis will closely work with the institute in terms of technical engagement and facility visits from its leadership team.

Dr C Muthamizhchelvan, Vice-Chancellor, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, said, “At SRM IST, we are deeply committed to building an ecosystem of innovation that advances the frontiers of electric mobility, sustainability, and automobile engineering. Through strategic collaborations with industry leaders and focused investment in cutting-edge research infrastructure, we are shaping the next generation of engineers and thought leaders. Our Centre for Electrical Mobility is not just a research hub, it is a platform for excellence, real-world learning, and nation-building in the era of green transportation.”

Sriram Venkataramanan, Head IAP, Propulsion Controls, Electric Drive Systems and Battery, Stellantis India, said, “At Stellantis, we believe that the future of sustainable mobility lies in forging strong, innovation-led partnerships with academic institutions that combine deep research capabilities with real-world engineering insight. 

SRM IST’s Centre for Electrical Mobility exemplifies this ideal. Their ability to translate advanced simulations into modular, production-ready EV systems validated through rigorous testing makes them a perfect partner for us. Together, we are not only co-developing next-generation electric vehicle technologies but also nurturing the talent and thinking that will drive tomorrow’s mobility solutions.”

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L&T Technology Services (LTTS), a leading ER&D company, has announced a strategic partnership with thyssenkrupp Steering to set up a software development centre in Pune.

The partnership will bring together LTTS’ expertise in its mobility segment, dedicated to developing safety-critical software for advanced steering technologies, while thyssenkrupp will bring together its global engineering solutions.

As per the understanding, LTTS will establish and manage the software hub in Pune on behalf of thyssenkrupp Steering.

For the unversed, LTTS has expertise on vehicle engineering to next-gen software innovation, while thyssenkrupp Steering has been developing steering systems for many years. The company possesses a deep knowledge of new electrical/electronic (E/E) architectures and software, as well as strong competence in steering technology. Its activities also extend to forward-looking developments such as the Vehicle Motion Control system, which enables higher comfort, advanced safety and highly autonomous driving through the high-level integration of steering, brakes, drivetrain and dampers.

Richard Hirschmann, SVP R&D, thyssenkrupp Steering, said, “We are excited to partner with LTTS to expand our software capabilities in India. This centre will play a crucial role in driving innovation and delivering next-generation steering solutions to our global customers.”

Patrick Vith, CEO, thyssenkrupp Steering, stated, “We are driven by a clear strategic ambition: to be the most trusted partner for steering solutions worldwide. We aim to shape the future of mobility through innovation, operational excellence, and strong global partnerships.”

Amit Chadha, CEO & Managing Director, L&T Technology Services, said, “This collaboration with thyssenkrupp Steering highlights LTTS’ leadership in the mobility space. Our expertise in electrification, hybrid systems, and software-defined vehicle architectures drives intelligent, sustainable mobility, supported by over 250 programs, 350 patents and 45 labs. By adding a prominent Tier-I automotive partner to our portfolio, this partnership reaffirms our role as the go-to innovation partner for future-ready mobility solutions.

Rajkumar Ravindranathan, Chief Business Officer – EMEA & RoW, L&T Technology Services, said, “We are honoured to be part of this significant milestone in thyssenkrupp’s transformation journey. Through this partnership, and by leveraging our deep expertise in building safety-critical, software-led products, LTTS will deliver scale, faster time-to-market, and cost-effective innovation, enabling thyssenkrupp to sustain and grow its market leadership. The Pune center will serve as a hub for cutting-edge software development, including embedded systems, functional safety and cybersecurity, aligning with the growing demand for intelligent and connected vehicle technologies.”

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Accenture, a leading IT services and Management Consulting organisation, has partnered Centre of Excellence in Advanced Automotive Research (CAAR), a research society established by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), to offer specialised skilling programs through Accenture’s LearnVantage Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Academy.

Targetted towards automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Global Capability Centers (GCCs) the initiative aims to develop talent pool to build software-defined vehicles. The program aims to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the SDV domain by bridging the gap between traditional automotive roles and the digital skills needed to develop automated driving technology, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), electrical/electronic architecture, connectivity and infotainment systems.

The curriculum covers advanced Internet of Things (IoT), embedded systems and software, vehicle safety, communication protocols, cybersecurity, edge computing, cloud virtualisation and industry standards like AUTomotive Open System Architecture (AUTOSAR) and Automotive Software Process Improvement Capability Determination (ASPICE).    

Kishore Durg, Global Lead, Accenture LearnVantage, said, “As vehicles transform into sophisticated software-defined machines, the automotive industry requires digital-native talent skilled in AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and safety systems. Our collaboration with CAAR at IIT Madras is a game-changer, focused on transforming talent at scale for OEMs and GCCs in the sector. Together, we are committed to rapidly upskilling and reskilling talent to embrace technological advancements and develop the interdisciplinary skills needed for the SDV landscape.” 

Prof. Krishnan Balasubramanian, Prof. in Charge of Center for Advanced Automotive Research (CAAR), IIT Madras, said, “The academia-industry partnership, enabled by the Center of Excellence CAAR is a unique model that creates a win-win for all parties and enables upskilling of the next generation workforce in new areas such as SDVs. We are delighted to be partnering with Accenture’s LearnVantage.”

Thiruppathy Srinivasan, CEO, CAAR, IIT Madras, said, “The automotive industry is rapidly evolving with the adoption of electrification, connectivity, and advanced smart technologies. The high-growth software-defined vehicle space demands both new digital skills and a larger pool of skilled professionals, making upskilling a top priority. Our collaboration with Accenture LearnVantage offers a synergistic platform to bridge the talent gap by equipping professionals with the competencies needed to thrive and meet the industry’s evolving needs.”  

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