Guide · Connected Vehicles
V2X and C-V2X in India: Connected Vehicle Technology Explained
What Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) and Cellular V2X (C-V2X) are, India’s 2026 spectrum and V2V rules, and how connected vehicles can make Indian roads safer – a guide by Akhilesh Srivastava, President, ITS India Forum.
5.9 GHz band
Delicensed by DoT in June 2026 for C-V2X devices
30 MHz
5,875–5,905 MHz set aside for initial C-V2X deployment
Oct 2028
Proposed date for mandatory V2V in new L, M and N category vehicles
AIS-230
Proposed standard for factory-fitted C-V2X on-board units
Basics
What is V2X communication?
Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) is wireless technology that lets a vehicle exchange information with everything around it – other vehicles, traffic signals, roadside units, pedestrians and the cloud – in milliseconds. A car can be warned that a vehicle two cars ahead has braked hard, that an ambulance is approaching a junction, or that someone is driving the wrong way, even when the driver or the car’s own sensors cannot see it.
Because it works beyond line of sight, V2X complements cameras and radar used in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). For India, where human error is behind most road crashes and more than 1.7 lakh people died on roads in 2023, V2X is one of the most promising tools for the next leap in road safety.
The Four Types
V2V, V2I, V2P and V2N Explained
V2V – Vehicle to Vehicle
Cars, buses, trucks and two-wheelers share speed, position, direction and braking to avoid collisions.
V2I – Vehicle to Infrastructure
Vehicles talk to signals, roadside units and toll plazas for signal timing, hazard alerts and tolling.
V2P – Vehicle to Pedestrian
Warnings between vehicles and vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
V2N – Vehicle to Network
Vehicles connect through the mobile network to traffic management centres and cloud services.
Technology
What is C-V2X (Cellular V2X)?
C-V2X is the cellular standard for V2X defined by 3GPP – first as LTE-V2X (Release 14) and later as 5G NR-V2X (Release 16). It works in two ways:
- Direct communication (PC5 sidelink): vehicles, roadside units and devices talk directly to each other in the 5.9 GHz ITS band with very low latency – no SIM card or mobile network coverage needed. This is what powers safety alerts.
- Network communication (Uu): vehicles use the mobile network for longer-range services such as traffic information, map updates and cloud-based traffic management.
The main alternative was DSRC, a Wi-Fi-based standard. India’s 2026 framework is built around C-V2X: the Department of Telecommunications exempted C-V2X devices in the 5.9 GHz band from licensing, and the proposed vehicle standard AIS-230 is written for C-V2X on-board units.
Policy Timeline
India’s V2X Roadmap in 2026
2026 is the year India moved V2X from pilots to policy. Note: the MoRTH V2V rules are a draft and dates may change when notified.
April 2026
TRAI Consultation Paper
After a request from the Department of Telecommunications, TRAI released a consultation paper on V2X communication, with comments due by 28 May and counter-comments by 11 June 2026.
10 June 2026
5.9 GHz Delicensed for C-V2X
DoT notification G.S.R. 466(E) exempted C-V2X devices in the 5.9 GHz band from licensing. 30 MHz (5,875–5,905 MHz) is set aside for initial C-V2X deployment, with further spectrum earmarked for future ITS applications.
August 2026
MoRTH Draft V2V Rules
A draft amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 proposes phased V2V: L, M and N category vehicles made on or after 1 October 2027 must comply with AIS-230 if fitted with V2V, and those made on or after 1 October 2028 must be fitted with it.
AIS-230
Vehicle Standard
The proposed standard sets technical, performance, environmental and security requirements for factory-fitted C-V2X on-board units and phases in four safety use cases: emergency brake alert, forward collision warning, wrong-way driving alert and emergency vehicle alert.
Use Cases
How V2X Can Make Indian Roads Safer
Emergency Brake & Collision Warnings
Alerts when a vehicle ahead brakes hard or a collision risk is detected.
Emergency Vehicle Alerts
Drivers are warned early that an ambulance or fire engine is approaching.
Wrong-Way Driving Alerts
A major risk on Indian highways that V2V can flag before visual contact.
Signal Phase & Timing
Signals broadcast their timing so vehicles can adjust speed and avoid red-light running.
Hazard & Weather Warnings
Fog, stalled vehicles, potholes and work zones shared from roadside units.
Seamless Tolling
C-V2X can support free-flow toll payments as tolling moves beyond tags.
Road Ahead
Challenges India Must Solve
Akhilesh Srivastava’s Road Safety 2.0 approach is human-centric: technology should compensate for human and infrastructure limitations – and V2X is central to that vision.
Fleet Penetration
Benefits grow with the share of connected vehicles; two-wheelers and older vehicles need affordable solutions.
Roadside Infrastructure
Roadside units at junctions, highways and toll plazas must be planned with ITMS and ATMS deployments.
Security & Trust
Messages must be authenticated with a national security credential system to prevent spoofing.
Standards & Interoperability
One national standard so vehicles, signals and devices from different makers work together.
FAQ
V2X and C-V2X in India: FAQs
What is V2X?
V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) is wireless communication that lets vehicles exchange information with other vehicles (V2V), roadside infrastructure (V2I), pedestrians (V2P) and networks (V2N) to prevent collisions and improve traffic flow.
What is C-V2X?
C-V2X (Cellular V2X) is the 3GPP cellular standard for V2X. It supports direct, low-latency communication between vehicles and infrastructure in the 5.9 GHz band without needing mobile network coverage, and network-based communication for longer-range services.
Which spectrum is used for V2X in India?
In June 2026 the Department of Telecommunications exempted C-V2X devices in the 5.9 GHz band from licensing, with 30 MHz (5,875–5,905 MHz) set aside for initial C-V2X deployment.
When will V2V become mandatory in India?
Under MoRTH’s August 2026 draft rules, L, M and N category vehicles manufactured on or after 1 October 2028 would have to be fitted with V2V systems conforming to AIS-230. The draft may change before final notification.
Is C-V2X the same as 5G?
Not exactly. C-V2X started with LTE (4G) in 3GPP Release 14 and evolved to 5G NR-V2X in Release 16. Its direct safety messages do not depend on a 5G network being available.
How is V2X related to ITMS?
ITMS manages traffic from signals and command centres; V2X lets those signals and roadside units talk directly to vehicles. Together they enable signal-timing alerts, emergency green corridors and faster incident warnings. See the ITMS in India guide.
Further Reading
Related Articles on V2X, C-V2X & Connected Vehicles
Sources
- TRAI consultation paper on V2X: The Week
- 5.9 GHz band delicensed for C-V2X: Business Today
- MoRTH draft V2V notification and AIS-230: Business Standard
- Road deaths in India: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Road Accidents in India 2023
Last updated: October 2026.
Let’s Connect
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