Damodar Becomes First Bus Body Builder to Achieve AIS 153 Across All Major OEM Platforms

Damodar Group has become the first Indian bus body builder to secure ARAI’s AIS 153 certification for sleeper and seater-sleeper models across all OEM platforms.

Damodar Group has become the first Indian bus body builder to receive the prestigious AIS 153 certification from ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) for its bus models, Damodar Rudra and High Deck Plus sleeper and seater-sleeper models.

The certification spans chassis from Ashok Leyland, BharatBenz, Tata Motors, and Volvo-Eicher, covering vehicle lengths from 222″ to 13.5 metres. With this milestone, Damodar Group now holds all three key ARAI certifications, AIS 052, AIS 119, and AIS 153, solidifying its position as a national leader in quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. 

The AIS 153 standard, introduced by the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), sets comprehensive safety and design benchmarks for bus body structures, including structural integrity, emergency exits, fire resistance, electrical safety, and NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) parameters.

The regulation becomes mandatory for all new buses manufactured in India from September 2025.

MG Automotives Secures AIS 153 Certification for 13.5M Coach Range

By meeting this compliance well ahead of the deadline, Damodar Group has demonstrated its long-standing commitment to “safety-first engineering,” a philosophy it has upheld since delivering India’s first sleeper coach.

According to the company, the certification simplifies fleet integration across OEMs, reduces retrofit risks, and enhances operator confidence with a consistently homologated product line.

“AIS 153 isn’t just a certificate for us; it’s a contract with our passengers. It validates the discipline behind our structures, materials, and processes across OEMs and lengths. For operators, it means predictable quality and quicker deployments. For customers, it means safer journeys every single time.”

Yash Sharma, Director at Damodar Group

Future-ready by design, Damodar’s upcoming models, including the Kalpa, are being engineered within the same certified framework, ensuring seamless homologation and regulatory headroom for advanced features such as lightweight ABS panels, smart cabin systems, and the evolving Pravaha design language.

With this milestone, Damodar Group reinforces its position as a trusted partner in premium intercity mobility, offering certified safety and reliability at scale — ahead of the curve, and with the future in mind.