CCTV Rules for School Buses and Commercial Vehicles in India 2026

There is no single law in India that requires CCTVs in all commercial vehicles. Camera and tracking needs are derived from three different sets of rules: the central AIS-140 rule (a Vehicle Location Tracking Device and panic button for some vehicles, but not CCTV); state government rules (which are increasingly mandating CCTV and GPS in school buses); and a proposed national ADAS mandate (driver-assistance cameras for buses and trucks). The latest instance of compulsory CCTV and GPS is the Maharashtra school bus regulations for July 2026. The requirements, footage retention and deadlines vary from state to state, so check with the appropriate transport authority for the current rules for your vehicle category and state.

Key Takeaways

Will CCTV be compulsory in School Buses in India 2026?

Yes, in a few states. Increasingly, state governments are requiring school buses and vans to be fitted with CCTV cameras, usually in combination with GPS tracking and panic buttons. This was made compulsory by Maharashtra in its school bus regulations in July 2026. While there is no national school bus CCTV law, the requirement, deadline and footage retention will differ by state in which the bus is operated. Please consult your state's transport department to determine if the rule is still in effect.

Does CCTV Mandatory in Commercial Vehicles in India?

Not under one national law. There is no rule that all commercial vehicles have to be fitted with CCTV. AIS-140 is a national requirement that applies to some commercial and public service vehicles, and requires a Vehicle Location Tracking Device and a panic button, not a camera. At present, the CCTV requirements for commercial vehicles are state based and for some categories, such as school transport. If there are categories that are covered under your state, assume that they will need CCTV and check.

The Central AIS-140 / VLTD Framework covers the following:

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has issued a notification stating that all vehicles with national permit and specified public service vehicles must be fitted with Vehicle Location Tracking Device (VLTD) and one or more emergency (panic) buttons as per Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, section 2(35). This is the AIS-140 version.

In this article there are two points to consider. AIS-140 is a tracking device and panic button requirement, first. It is not a requirement for CCTV. Secondly, it is the national baseline which many state school transport rules are based on, with additional CCTV and other measures added on top. For details of who needs to comply and how, see the AIS-140 compliance guide.

What States Governments Need

There is no national CCTV legislation, so the rules for the use of cameras in school and commercial vehicles vary from state to state and differ in terms of scope, deadlines and footage retention. States have made strides on school transportation safety before the centre.

The most obvious example of this today is Maharashtra. It was amended on 28 July 2026 and stipulates that school buses and vans must be fitted with a VLTD with panic button, CCTV cameras, a fire detection and alarm system, seat belts and a digital safety monitoring system, and must keep CCTV footage for a minimum of 30 days. Other states have their own school vehicle CCTV and GPS mandates, but the details are not always as clearly outlined as in other states and are not always the same. The matrix below illustrates state by state support for the cited sources. Follow state rules as the requirement for school transportation and check the current state rule.

This document provides a summary of the requirements for CCTV, GPS and DSMS by state.

The matrix below presents only the information that is agreed upon by the sources cited. If no requirement is given in the source, the cell will not have an assumption, but will read "Not specified in the cited source". Please verify each requirement with the main notification before using. They are based on the reporting of state notifications and guidelines; primary texts should be checked on the relevant e-Gazette or transport department website.

This matrix is not comprehensive. School vehicle CCTV and GPS laws have been passed or are being passed in other states. Follow the table as a reference and consult your state's transport authority for the latest location of your state.

What is a Digital Safety Monitoring System (DSMS)?

A Digital Safety Monitoring System is not a camera, but a combination of safety features and is required by some state school transport regulations. Apart from CCTV, VLTD with panic button and fire detection and seat belts, the July 2026 rules for school buses and vans in Maharashtra also feature a digital safety monitoring system.

What a DSMS must contain is determined by the state rule, and may vary. When it is required, it typically represents a transition from tracking to a combination of tracking, video and safety systems. All elements are not required in all states. Look at the particular rule that applies to you.

The CCTV, GPS and Panic Button requirements are:

When it comes to school transport security, there are three things that are often found together: CCTV cameras, GPS or VLTD tracking, and panic buttons. In Maharashtra all three are compulsory. AIS-140 is a national requirement for covered vehicles and the VLTD and panic button are required separately. The number of cameras, their location and the exact specification is determined by the applicable state rule and is not uniform, therefore this guide does not specify the number of cameras. Refer to the specification in your state's notification.

Footage Retention Requirements

The length of time footage will be kept is dependent on the applicable rule, which varies. Under the rules of Maharashtra, the minimum period is 30 days and the footage can be sent to the police or education authorities upon request in July 2026. Other jurisdictions may have other time periods. In one such incident in Panchkula, the child rights commission of Haryana had directed a three-month period, reports said. There is no national standard for the length of time CCTV footage should be kept, so use the time stated in your state's rule.

Parent Live Access and Digital Attendance.

Parent access to information and digital attendance are included in some state rules but not all. Maharashtra has rules that parents can get information via mobile application and mandates digital records of students boarding and de-boarding. Parent live attendance or digital attendance will be dependent on state rule, so please check before assuming it is a compliance requirement.

ADAS vs CCTV vs GPS vs AIS-140

The following four are often mistaken for each other. They are independent systems, with different functions, jurisdiction and scope of application.

In summary: AIS-140 is not a CCTV, but a tracking and panic button. State CCTV regulations include cameras for school transport. ADAS is a proposed national safety standard which is independent. The ADAS for fleets guide is a detailed overview of the ADAS side.

Enforcement, Inspections and Penalties

Enforcement is determined and implemented at the state level and is variable. As mentioned in the notification, if the non-compliance occurs during the three-month period, the relevant permit or licence could be suspended or cancelled as per the rules of Maharashtra which were implemented in July 2026.

In 2026, school buses were impounded in Panchkula, Haryana for not having a speed governor and CCTV and fire extinguishers were challaned and fitness certificate notices were issued in Chikkamagaluru, Karnataka. These are specific reported examples and not a uniform national penalty. Check the penalties and procedure in your state.

Practical Compliance Checklist

If the vehicle is covered, go through the following items, checking each off against your state's rule.

How to Choose a Compliant Video Telematics System

Video telematics is a form of technology that combines in-vehicle cameras, GPS tracking and connectivity to link video to location and control it remotely. It's the type of system that many school transport CCTV and GPS regulations are heading toward as it can provide CCTV and tracking at the same time.

These are some factors to take into account when assessing a system for compliance.

Remember, a system will help to ensure compliance, but it will not ensure compliance. Certification and correct configuration to your state's rule are still required.

How Fleet Stack can work with video telematics.

Fleet Stack is one of the many technologies that can be employed. It integrates GPS tracking with video telematics in a self-hosted platform, allowing the operator to manage camera footage, live tracking, alerts and driver-behaviour data all in one system.

These requirements can be managed with Fleet Stack, but it is not a vehicle that makes it legal. Where a state rule requires a certified device, a specific retention period or a particular access method, the operator must meet that rule. Always verify device certification and state specific approval prior to purchase for your vehicle category and state. When planning hardware, please check the supported devices list and when planning the tracking device requirement in addition to the CCTV rules, please refer to the AIS-140 compliance guide.

This article is for general information only, and not intended to provide legal advice. Requirements may be different and the operators should verify the current requirements with the relevant authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is CCTV and GPS required for school buses?
Yes, in states where they are required. According to the Maharashtra rules of July 2026, CCTV and VLTD with panic button is compulsory. AIS-140 also mandates GPS or VLTD tracking for covered vehicles throughout the country. If you have to have CCTV, it will depend on the state rule for your vehicle.

Does AIS-140 mean CCTV compliance?
As a national requirement, No. AIS-140, a Vehicle Location Tracking Device and panic button must be installed on certain vehicles. CCTV is not a requirement in itself. The CCTV requirements are different and are mainly based on the state school transport regulations. Even if a vehicle meets AIS-140, a state rule may still mandate that it be equipped with CCTV.

Is it necessary to have cameras for AIS-140?
No, AIS-140 doesn't require a camera, it requires a tracking device and one or more panic buttons. The camera requirement is not related to the proposed national ADAS requirement for buses and trucks, which is a camera-based driver drowsiness system, but is based on the state CCTV regulations for school transportation.

What is the minimum period for which the footage of CCTV cameras on school buses should be kept?
This is subject to the state rule. The minimum period is 30 days as per the rules of Maharashtra in July 2026 and the footage can be provided to the authorities if required. There is no national standard and other jurisdictions may have different periods. Look at the time on your notification.

Do parents have to have live camera access?
This is in accordance with the state rule. Maharashtra's rules provide for information to parents through a mobile application. This is state dependent, so don't assume that this is required in all states. Check with your state's rule.

What is the minimum number of cameras needed in a school bus?
Not uniform, and determined by the state rule that applies. This guide does not include a number as it will depend on the rule that applies to your vehicle. Look at the camera specification in your notification in your state.

What if a covered vehicle doesn't meet the requirements?
Enforcement will be at the state level. According to Maharashtra's rules, the permit/licence can be suspended or cancelled if it is not adhered to within the compliance period. Penalties and procedures vary by state, so be sure to find out what applies to you.

Does video telematics help with CCTV and GPS compliance?
Yes, in principle. Video telematics is a system combining cameras with GPS tracking, which is the type of system many school transport regulations are based on. But a system does not ensure compliance, it facilitates it. However, you will still need to comply with your state's requirements, such as device certification.

Sources and Official References.

If you make any decision based on the primary source, use the primary source. The items below are the notifications and authorities referenced in this article. If the primary text was not used directly, state the source of the notification; check the primary notification before using a requirement.

As mentioned in 2026 fleet compliance coverage, do not use examples of national rules (Panchkula, Hoshiarpur, Chikkamagaluru) as examples of enforcement.

State rules change. Please consult the current requirement for your vehicle type and state with the relevant transport authority before driving.