**Executive Summary**
On May 20, 2026, the Department of Consumer Affairs commemorated World Metrology Day, themed “Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making.” The event highlighted significant legislative reforms, including the decriminalization of minor offences under the Jan Vishwas Act 2026, and the launch of the e-Maap digital portal. Key upcoming milestones include India hosting the 61st Meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology in October 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Regulatory and Legislative Reforms**
* **Decriminalization:** Minor offences under the Legal Metrology Act have been decriminalized through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026.
* **Enforcement Changes:** Introduction of "improvement notices" for specific minor violations to replace immediate penalties.
* **Ease of Doing Business:** Transitioned from a restrictive licensing regime to a more efficient registration-based system for businesses.
**Digital Initiatives and Infrastructure**
* **e-Maap Portal:** Launched as a unified digital platform for registration, model approvals, and enforcement-related services at both Central and State levels.
* **GATC Certificates:** Issued 40 Government Approved Test Centre (GATC) certificates to eligible private entities to expand national verification capacity.
* **Software Testing:** Established Software Testing Facilities for weighing and measuring instruments at Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs) in collaboration with C-DAC.
**National and International Standards**
* **OIML Authorization:** India is now the 13th country globally authorized to issue OIML pattern approval certificates, facilitating international trade and exports.
* **Medical and Safety Rules:** Introduced new standards for non-invasive blood pressure monitors (January 2026) and notified rules for Breath Analyzers, Moisture Meters, Gas Meters, and Radar Equipment.
* **One Nation, One Time:** Initiative to disseminate high-precision Indian Standard Time (IST) across the country via RRSLs, in collaboration with NPL and ISRO.
**Impact Analysis**
**Private Entities (Testing Laboratories)**
**Impact**
Eligible private entities are now empowered to operate as Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs), expanding the country’s legal metrology verification infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Utilize GATC certifications to provide verification services and maintain compliance with established legal metrology standards.
**Industries and Manufacturers**
**Impact**
Benefit from a reduced compliance burden due to the shift from licensing to registration and the decriminalization of minor violations. Global competitiveness is enhanced through local OIML pattern approval certification.
**Action Required**
Transition to the e-Maap portal for all registration and enforcement-related services; adhere to newly notified standards for medical and measuring devices.
**State Legal Metrology Departments**
**Impact**
Departments gain access to a unified digital framework (e-Maap) and improved technical facilities at RRSLs for more transparent and efficient governance.
**Action Required**
Adopt the e-Maap portal for state-level enforcement and collaborate on the "One Nation, One Time" IST dissemination project.
**Citizens and Consumers**
**Impact**
Increased protection and trust in the accuracy of measurements involving food, fuel, medicines, and electricity.
**Action Required**
No direct action required, but consumers benefit from higher safety standards in medical devices and fair trade practices.
Key Entities Referenced
Legal Metrology Act: The primary legislative framework governing weights and measures in India, currently undergoing reforms to decriminalize minor offences and shift from licensing to registration.
Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026: A key legislative reform used to decriminalize minor offences under the Legal Metrology Act and introduce improvement notices to facilitate ease of doing business.
e-Maap portal: A unified digital platform launched for registration and enforcement services, facilitating verification of weights and measures at both Central and State levels.
Department of Consumer Affairs: The primary government body responsible for implementing legal metrology infrastructure, issuing GATC certificates, and overseeing national measurement standards.
One Nation, One Time: A strategic initiative aimed at disseminating high-precision Indian Standard Time (IST) across the country through Regional Reference Standard Laboratories.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
India Marks World Metrology Day 2026; Shri
Pralhad Joshi Highlights Role of Accurate
Measurement in Building Trust in Policy Making
Government Strengthens Legal Metrology Infrastructure with
40 GATC Certificates and Launch of e-Maap Digital Portal
Jan Vishwas Reform Decriminalize Minor offences under
Legal Metrology Act and Introduce Improvement Notices for
certain Violations: Shri Pralhad Joshi
Posted On: 20 MAY 2026 5:42PM by PIB Delhi
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 20th May 1875.
The theme of this year’s World Metrology Day is “Metrology: Building Trust in Policy Making”.
The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad 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 emphasized that
accurate and reliable measurements form the backbone of effective public policy, trade, healthcare,
environmental protection and industrial growth.The Union Minister stated that the Department has strengthened India’s legal metrology verification
infrastructure by issuing 40 Government Approved Test Centre (GATC) certificates to eligible private
entities, marking a significant step towards expanding the country’s verification capacity.
Highlighting the Government’s vision of trust-based and technology-driven governance, Shri Pralhad
Joshi underlined several key reforms undertaken by the Department of Consumer Affairs. These include
the decriminalization 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.
The Minister further informed 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 Centre and State levels.
Shri Pralhad Joshi also stated that India has become the 13th country authorized to issue OIML pattern
approval certificates, thereby strengthening India’s global standing and supporting exports of weighing
and measuring instruments. He further highlighted that Software Testing Facilities for weighing and
measuring instruments have been established at Regional Reference Standard Laboratories
(RRSLs) in collaboration with C-DAC to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities and enhance
global competitiveness under the “Make in India” initiative.
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 through RRSLs.
Shri B. L. Verma, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, in his
keynote address highlighted the importance of accurate measurement systems in ensuring fairness,
transparency and trust in governance and trade. He stated that accurate measurements directly impact the
daily lives of citizens in areas such as food, fuel, medicines, electricity and packaged commodities,
thereby strengthening consumer confidence and promoting fair business practices.
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.
He appreciated the contribution of industries, manufacturers, consumer organizations, testing laboratories,
academic institutions and State Legal Metrology Departments in strengthening the measurement
ecosystem in the country.Smt. Nimuben Jayantibhai Bambhaniya, Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food &
Public Distribution, addressing the occasion stated that 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.
The Minister appreciated the efforts of Legal Metrology Departments across States and Union Territories
in ensuring fair trade practices and consumer protection. She also acknowledged the contribution of
industries, manufacturers, testing laboratories, consumer organizations, academic institutions and other
stakeholders associated with metrology for strengthening compliance, quality standards and consumer
confidence in the country.
Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, highlighted the steady growth of Legal
Metrology in India and emphasized the need for hassle-free compliance mechanisms, system
improvements and industry-friendly regulations through voluntary compliance by business associations.
She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment towards adopting modern technology for upgrading testing
and measurement systems.
She informed that the Department has notified rules for Breath Analyzers, Moisture Meters, Gas Meters
and Radar Equipment for measuring speed of vehicles. She also highlighted the progress of the Indian
Standard Time dissemination project being implemented in association with CSIR-NPL and ISRO, and
emphasized the importance of the e-Maap portal and other digital initiatives for building trust in
measurement systems.
Shri Anupam Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, welcomed the
participants and highlighted the significance of World Metrology Day, observed annually on the
anniversary of the historic Metre Convention signed on 20th May 1875.
The programme was followed by a technical session featuring national and international experts on
emerging developments and global best practices in metrology and standardization.
Prof. (Dr.) Amitava Sen Gupta, Retd. Officiating Director, NPL India, delivered a presentation on global
management of Standard Time and highlighted the role of CSIR-NPL in maintaining Indian Standard
Time (IST) with extremely high accuracy through advanced atomic clock technologies and international
synchronization systems.
Dr. Sunil K. Singh, Scientist, BARC, delivered a presentation on “Ionizing Radiation Metrology:
Strengthening National Health and Safety Policies” and highlighted India’s growing capabilities in
radiation measurement standards and safety systems through the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
(BARC), the designated institute for ionizing radiation metrology in India.
Dr. Bobjoseph Mathew, CIML President, in his presentation on “Legal Metrology in Switzerland”
highlighted Switzerland’s transparent legal metrology framework and its role in ensuring accuracy,
fairness and consumer trust in trade and commerce.
Anthony Donnellan, Director, OIML, emphasized the importance of accurate and reliable measurements
in policymaking, consumer protection, healthcare, trade and environmental monitoring. He also
appreciated India’s growing leadership in international standard-setting and welcomed India’s hosting of
the 61st Meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology in New Delhi in October 2026.
Shri Ashutosh Agarwal, Director (Legal Metrology), summarized the deliberations and delivered the
vote of thanks.
The World Metrology Day celebration concluded with a reaffirmed commitment towards building a
modern, efficient and trusted measurement system in the country.*****
RT/SB/ARC
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