The manuscript introduces a novel Model-Reference Adaptive Controller (MRAC) specifically intended for vector-controlled squirrel cage induction motor (SCIM) drives. It makes use of both immediate and constant-state values of a fictional resistance represented by \(R_{f}\) . The proposed MRAC introduces a frictional resistance, denoted as \(R_{f}\) , which is measured in ohms ( \(\Omega\) ). This quantity represents the disparity between the fictitious resistances of the stator's d-axis and q-axis, given by \(R_{f} = v_{d} i_{{_{d} }}^{ - 1} - v_{q} i_{{_{q} }}^{ - 1}\) . The MRAC system includes both reference and adaptive models that autonomously calculate this frictional resistance using SCIM line currents, voltages, and machine parameters. One significant advantage of this projected formulation is its independence from the stator resistance, which enables accurate rotor speed estimation even at or near zero speed. Furthermore, the unique structure of this MRAC abolishes the prerequisite for flux computation, making the system insensitive to integrator-related issues such as drift and saturation resulting in accuracy for low or zero-speed estimation. A rotor resistance estimation scheme based on motor input terminal quantities is incorporated into the system to account for variations in slip speed with temperature. This ensures satisfactory speed estimation across a wide speed range while sustaining the drive's stability in all quadrants of the drive’s operation. The scheme's sensitivity to stator and rotor resistance variations in the low-speed region of the drive's operation is analyzed by observing the behavior of the system eigenvalues under first-order perturbations. Additionally, the paper provides an overall stability analysis of the entire drive system, considering a wide range of speed and load torque variations. The proposed \(R_{f}\) -MRAC system's effectiveness is verified across a spectrum of speeds through simulations executed in MATLAB/Simulink.