✎ PM E-DRIVE scheme strengthens India’s EV testing infrastructure via GARC’s upgraded facilities for safety, homologation, and innovation.
Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Polity & Governance
The Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) in Chennai, operating under the National Automotive Board of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, has significantly enhanced its automotive testing capabilities under the PM E-DRIVE scheme. Authorized as a testing agency under Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) Regulation 126, GARC conducts testing, research, and certification for vehicles and components, including powertrain, emissions, electromagnetic compatibility, durability, electric vehicles, and safety. With a budget of ₹10,900 crore allocated to the PM E-DRIVE scheme—of which ₹780 crore is earmarked for upgrading testing agencies—GARC has received ₹221.13 crore for infrastructure development. Key upgrades include advanced testing facilities for electric vehicles (AIS-156), EMI/EMC testing (AIS-004 Rev.1), heavy commercial vehicle testing, powertrain lab upgrades, passive safety testing with dummy calibration, and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) testing. These enhancements, including high-speed imaging systems capable of recording crash tests at 750 FPS (UHD-4K) and 3,000 FPS (Full HD), aim to strengthen India’s indigenous testing and certification capabilities for next-generation automotive technologies.
This initiative holds significant relevance for aspirants preparing for competitive exams like Bank PO, IBPS, SBI, RBI Grade B, and SSC, particularly in the Polity & Governance segment. The PM E-DRIVE scheme, a government-backed initiative, reflects India’s push toward electric mobility and indigenous innovation in the automotive sector, aligning with broader policy goals such as the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission. For banking and financial services exams, understanding government schemes and their budgetary allocations is crucial, as it may appear in questions related to fiscal policies, public expenditure, or sectoral reforms. Similarly, SSC aspirants may encounter questions on government initiatives, infrastructure development, or regulatory frameworks in governance sections. RBI Grade B candidates, especially those focusing on economic and social issues, should note how such schemes contribute to sustainable development, industrial growth, and technological self-reliance—key themes in monetary policy and developmental economics.
Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)
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