Govt strengthens legal metrology verification infra: Joshi
Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday said the Government has strengthened India’s legal metrology verification infrastructure and emphasised the importance of accurate measurement.
According to an official statement, the Department of Consumer Affairs on Wednesday commemorated World Metrology Day 2026, marking the 151st anniversary of the historic Metre Convention signed in Paris on May 20, 1875.
The theme of this year’s World Metrology Day is “Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making”. Joshi, in his virtual address, highlighted the vital role of metrology in ensuring fairness, consumer protection, scientific reliability and transparent governance.
Referring to this year’s theme, the minister emphasised that “accurate and reliable measurements form the backbone of effective public policy, trade, healthcare, environmental protection and industrial growth”.
Joshi informed that the department has strengthened India’s legal metrology verification infrastructure by issuing 40 Government Approved Test Centre (GATC) certificates to eligible private entities. He highlighted several key reforms undertaken by the department.
These include the decriminalisation of minor offences under the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026, introduction of improvement notices for certain minor violations, and transition from a licensing regime to a registration-based system for improving ease of doing business.
Joshi mentioned that the e-Maap portal has been launched as a unified digital platform for registration and enforcement-related services under Legal Metrology.
The portal will facilitate services, such as verification of weights and measures, registrations, model approvals and enforcement-related activities at both the Centre and state levels.
Referring to the Indian Standard Time dissemination initiative, the minister stated that the project is being implemented in collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and ISRO.
The ‘One Nation, One Time’ initiative aims to disseminate Indian Standard Time (IST) across the country with high precision.
Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs BL Verma highlighted the importance of accurate measurement systems in ensuring fairness, transparency and trust in governance and trade.
He stressed that accurate measurements directly impact the daily lives of citizens in areas such as food, fuel, medicines, electricity and packaged commodities.
Verma highlighted the introduction of standards for non-invasive sphygmomanometers (blood pressure monitors) in January 2026 to improve accuracy and public safety in medical devices.
Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, Union Minister of State for Food and Consumer Affairs, said the theme of this year’s celebration reflects the growing importance of reliable and accurate measurements in evidence-based policymaking, consumer protection and transparent governance.
Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare spoke about the steady growth of Legal Metrology in India.
She emphasised the need for hassle-free compliance mechanisms, system improvements and industry-friendly regulations through voluntary compliance by business associations.
Khare said the Government is committed towards adopting modern technology for upgrading testing and measurement systems.
She said the department has notified rules for Breath Analysers, Moisture Meters, Gas Meters and Radar Equipment for measuring the speed of vehicles.
