India Strengthens Legal Metrology and Consumer Protection Framework on World Metrology Day 2026

Highlighting recent reforms, Shri Pralhad Joshi announced that the Department of Consumer Affairs has significantly strengthened India’s legal metrology verification infrastructure.

The Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, today commemorated World Metrology Day 2026, marking the 151st anniversary of the historic Metre Convention signed in Paris on 20 May 1875. The theme for this year's celebration, "Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making," highlighted the growing importance of accurate measurements in governance, trade, healthcare, scientific research and consumer protection.

Senior Union Ministers, government officials, scientists and international experts participated in the event, reaffirming India's commitment to building a modern, technology-driven and globally competitive measurement ecosystem.

Pralhad Joshi Highlights Importance of Accurate Measurement Systems

In his virtual address, Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution Shri Pralhad Joshi emphasized that reliable measurements form the foundation of fair governance, consumer confidence and evidence-based policymaking.

Referring to this year's theme, the Minister stated that metrology plays a critical role in ensuring:

• Fair trade practices

• Consumer protection

• Scientific reliability

• Transparent governance

• Industrial growth

• Environmental monitoring

• Public healthcare accuracy

He stressed that accurate measurement systems are essential for strengthening trust in public institutions and regulatory frameworks.

Government Expands Legal Metrology Infrastructure

Highlighting recent reforms, Shri Pralhad Joshi announced that the Department of Consumer Affairs has significantly strengthened India's legal metrology verification infrastructure.

The Department has issued 40 Government Approved Test Centre (GATC) certificates to eligible private entities, a move expected to substantially expand the country's verification and testing capacity.

Officials stated that the expansion of GATCs will improve access to verification services while supporting faster and more efficient compliance processes for industries and businesses.

Major Legal and Regulatory Reforms Introduced

The Minister underlined several key reforms introduced as part of the government's vision for trust-based and technology-driven governance.

Among the major reforms highlighted were:

• Decriminalisation of minor offences under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026

• Introduction of improvement notices for minor violations

• Transition from licensing to registration-based systems

• Simplification of compliance procedures

These reforms aim to improve ease of doing business while maintaining strong consumer protection standards.

Officials believe the reforms will reduce unnecessary compliance burdens on businesses, especially MSMEs, while encouraging voluntary compliance and transparency.

e-Maap Portal Launched as Unified Digital Platform

Shri Pralhad Joshi also announced the launch of the e-Maap portal, a unified digital platform designed to streamline registration, verification and enforcement-related services under the Legal Metrology framework.

The portal will provide digital services related to:

• Verification of weights and measures

• Registrations

• Model approvals

• Enforcement activities

• Regulatory coordination between Centre and States

Officials said the e-Maap portal represents a major step towards digitising India's legal metrology ecosystem and improving service delivery efficiency.

India Gains Global Recognition in Legal Metrology

The Minister highlighted India's growing global role in measurement science and legal metrology.

India has now become the 13th country in the world authorized to issue OIML pattern approval certificates, strengthening the country's standing in international trade and supporting exports of weighing and measuring instruments.

This recognition is expected to:

• Improve export competitiveness

• Enhance global acceptance of Indian measuring instruments

• Strengthen "Make in India" initiatives

• Reduce dependence on foreign certification systems

New Software Testing Facilities Established

Shri Joshi further announced that advanced Software Testing Facilities for weighing and measuring instruments have been established at Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs) in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).

The facilities are intended to:

• Strengthen domestic manufacturing

• Improve quality assurance

• Enhance global competitiveness

• Support indigenous technology development

Officials said the initiative aligns with India's broader efforts to promote self-reliance in advanced technological infrastructure.

"One Nation, One Time" Initiative Progresses

Referring to the Indian Standard Time dissemination project, the Minister stated that the "One Nation, One Time" initiative is being implemented in collaboration with:

• National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

The initiative aims to disseminate Indian Standard Time (IST) across the country with extremely high precision through Regional Reference Standard Laboratories.

The project is expected to support critical sectors including:

• Telecommunications

• Banking

• Power systems

• Navigation

• Scientific research

• Digital infrastructure

Ministers Highlight Consumer Protection and Public Safety

Union Minister of State Shri B. L. Verma emphasized the importance of accurate measurements in ensuring fairness, transparency and public trust in everyday life.

He noted that accurate measurements directly impact citizens in areas such as:

• Food

• Fuel

• Medicines

• Electricity

• Packaged commodities

The Minister also highlighted the introduction of standards for non-invasive sphygmomanometers (blood pressure monitors) in January 2026 to improve accuracy and public safety in medical devices.

Minister of State Smt. Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya stated that reliable measurements are becoming increasingly important for:

• Evidence-based policymaking

• Consumer confidence

• Quality assurance

• Transparent governance

She praised the efforts of State and Union Territory Legal Metrology Departments in promoting fair trade and consumer protection.

Secretary Nidhi Khare Emphasizes Modernisation

Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, highlighted the steady growth of India's legal metrology ecosystem and stressed the need for hassle-free compliance and modern technology adoption.

She informed that the Department has recently notified rules for:

• Breath analyzers

• Moisture meters

• Gas meters

• Radar speed measurement equipment

Khare also highlighted progress in the Indian Standard Time dissemination project and reiterated the importance of digital platforms such as e-Maap in strengthening trust in measurement systems.

International Experts Discuss Global Best Practices

The programme also featured a technical session involving national and international experts discussing emerging developments in metrology and global best practices.

NPL Discusses Indian Standard Time Accuracy

Prof. (Dr.) Amitava Sen Gupta, former Officiating Director of NPL India, delivered a presentation on global management of standard time systems and explained how CSIR-NPL maintains Indian Standard Time using advanced atomic clock technologies and international synchronization systems.

BARC Highlights Radiation Metrology

Dr. Sunil K. Singh from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) spoke on "Ionizing Radiation Metrology: Strengthening National Health and Safety Policies."

He highlighted India's growing capabilities in radiation measurement standards and safety systems.

Switzerland's Legal Metrology Model Presented

Dr. Bobjoseph Mathew, President of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML), discussed Switzerland's legal metrology framework and its role in ensuring consumer trust and trade fairness.

OIML Appreciates India's Leadership

Anthony Donnellan, Director of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML), praised India's growing leadership in global standard-setting.

He also welcomed India's hosting of the 61st Meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology in New Delhi in October 2026.

India Reaffirms Commitment to Trusted Measurement Systems

The World Metrology Day celebrations concluded with renewed commitment towards building a modern, efficient and globally trusted measurement ecosystem in India.

Officials stated that India's legal metrology reforms, digital initiatives and international collaborations are expected to strengthen:

• Consumer protection

• Industrial competitiveness

• Scientific reliability

• Ease of doing business

• Global trade participation

The event highlighted India's growing ambition to emerge as a major global hub for metrology, standards and precision measurement systems.