A List of the Top Indian Bus Body Builders With AIS-153 Certification

India’s bus manufacturing ecosystem is undergoing one of its biggest regulatory transformations with the implementation of AIS-153, the latest Automotive Industry Standard governing bus body construction, safety systems, and structural compliance.

With AIS-153 becoming mandatory from September 2025, bus body builders across India are now required to meet stringent norms covering fire safety, emergency exits, structural integrity, ITS integration, vibration limits, and passenger protection systems.

While many manufacturers are still preparing for compliance, a select group of Indian bus body builders has already secured AIS-153 certification, positioning themselves at the forefront of India’s next-generation bus safety framework.

These companies are not only complying with new norms but are actively shaping the future of India’s organised bus manufacturing ecosystem.

Here is a detailed look at the top Indian bus body builders with AIS-153 Certification that are leading the transition toward safer and fully compliant bus manufacturing.

1. Damodar Group

Damodar Group was one of the first Indian bus body builders to secure AIS-153 certification across all major OEM chassis platforms.

The certification spans vehicles built on Ashok Leyland, BharatBenz, Tata Motors, and Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles platforms.

This multi-OEM approval is particularly significant because fleet operators today operate mixed chassis fleets. Damodar’s certification allows seamless deployment without additional structural validation, reducing homologation timelines for operators.

The company’s AIS-153 compliant portfolio primarily includes premium sleeper and seater-sleeper coaches, engineered with integrated safety architecture rather than retrofit compliance.

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2. MG Automotives

MG Automotives secured AIS-153 certification for its 13.5-metre sleeper and seater-sleeper coach range, a segment that faces the strictest safety scrutiny due to overnight passenger operations.

This milestone represents more than a regulatory approval – it highlights MG Automotives’ strong customer-centric philosophy and its continued focus on engineering excellence.

By securing the AIS 153 certification at an early stage, the company demonstrates a forward-looking approach and a clear commitment to designing buses that prioritize safety, comfort, and future-readiness.

In a statement following the certification, the company expressed gratitude to its customers, OEM partners, industry stakeholders, and regulatory authorities for their continued trust and support. MG Automotives noted that the recognition reinforces its mission to consistently elevate standards and ensure that every journey is safe, dependable, and comfortable.

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3. Sanatan Bus Body Builders Pvt. Ltd.

Indore-based Sanatan Bus Body Builders Pvt. Ltd. represents one of the largest-scale AIS-153 adoption stories in India, with certification secured across 284 bus variants among the highest in the country.

Operating from a large integrated manufacturing facility, the company combines volume production capability with regulatory compliance readiness. Its certification portfolio covers multiple configurations, including:

• Luxury seater coaches
• Sleeper buses
• Seater-cum-sleeper variants
• Multi-OEM chassis integrations

Sanatan’s scale places it in a strong position to support state transport undertakings, private fleet expansions, and institutional mobility projects as AIS-153 enforcement expands.

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4. Synaty Automotive Pvt. Ltd.

Neemrana-based Synaty Automotive Pvt. Ltd. has made history by becoming the first bus body builder in North India to secure the AIS-153 certification for sleeper buses from the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT).

Synaty’s achievement places the company among a select group of certified manufacturers nationwide and reflects its commitment to high-quality engineering and passenger safety.

“Being the first bus body builder in North India to secure AIS-153 reinforces our promise to build safer, stronger, and more reliable sleeper buses,” Managing Director Naresh Yadav told Coach Builders India.

Situated in Neemrana’s industrial area, Synaty has built a reputation for robust, innovative bus designs ranging from luxury coaches to sleeper and seater-sleeper configurations. Its focus on stringent testing, structural strength, and responsible manufacturing has now translated into this key regulatory milestone.

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5. Sahara Coach

Earlier in January 2026, Hubli-based Sahara Coach announced that it had secured the AIS-153 certification covering 13.5-metre seater and sleeper configurations, including 40-50 seaters and 30-36 berth sleepers with onboard toilets.

Founded in 2015, Sahara Coach is best known for its flagship models Meraki, Dexter, and Skylar, which have gained recognition among fleet operators for their aerodynamic styling and thoughtfully designed interiors.

Owner and Head of Marketing Najruddin Mujawar explained that achieving certification required aligning existing design processes with updated safety mandates, strengthening quality control systems, and coordinating closely with approved suppliers. He noted that the disciplined certification process has further embedded a culture of safety across the organisation.

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6. Tirth Automobiles

Tirth Automobiles, is one of the latest entrants in our list of bus body builders with AIS-153 certification. Aleading bus body builder and fleet operator based in Gujarat, has secured the AIS 153 certification from the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT), marking a major milestone in its commitment to safety and regulatory excellence.

The certification applies to 58 bus models built on chassis from Ashok Leyland, Eicher Motors, Tata Motors, and BharatBenz. Managing Director Nirmal V. Shah described the achievement as a proud moment that reinforces the company’s focus on safety and quality in every vehicle it builds.

Founded in 1996 as V C Shahpatel Services Pvt Ltd, the group expanded into transportation with Tirth Travels in 1999 and today operates a fleet of over 250 vehicles across the Bharuch and Narmada districts. Alongside fleet operations, the company is also an authorized dealer for Force Motors and Eicher trucks and buses in the region.

Operating from a 50,000 sq. ft. facility in Bharuch, Tirth currently manufactures 100 buses per month and plans to scale production to 500 units per month by 2026.

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Conclusion

As regulatory enforcement tightens and safety expectations rise across the transport sector, the top Indian bus body builders with AIS-153 certification are emerging as clear industry leaders. Their early compliance not only reflects readiness for the September 2025 mandate but also signals a broader shift toward structured, technology-driven, and safety-focused bus manufacturing in India.

By aligning closely with OEM platforms, investing in certified infrastructure, and embedding safety into core design architecture rather than treating it as an afterthought, these manufacturers are redefining industry standards. For fleet operators, institutional buyers, and government transport undertakings, partnering with AIS-153–certified builders now represents both regulatory assurance and long-term operational reliability.

Are you a bus body builder who has recently secured the AIS-153 certificate? Would you like to be featured in our list? Please contact us.