## Policy Summary: Oversight of Dark Stores in India (2020-2025)
This document summarizes the Indian government's actions, specifically those of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), regarding the regulation and oversight of dark stores operating in India. The period covered is primarily focused on Fiscal Year 2024-2025, with some retrospective context.
**Key Findings and Actions:**
* **Market Surveillance:** In FY 2024-25, BIS conducted market surveillance of products sold through e-commerce and quick commerce platforms, focusing on products requiring mandatory BIS certification under Quality Control Orders.
* **Sample Analysis:** A total of 344 samples were procured, and 142 were found to be without valid BIS certification.
* **Enforcement Actions:** Investigations into these violations led to search and seizure operations at 22 warehouses of e-commerce platforms.
* **State-wise Distribution of Raids:** The raids were distributed across multiple states/UTs: Delhi (3), Haryana (3), Karnataka (3), Maharashtra (3), Rajasthan (2), Tamil Nadu (2), Gujarat (1), Odisha (1), Telangana (1), Uttar Pradesh (1), Andhra Pradesh (1), and Uttarakhand (1).
* **Companies Involved:** The search and seizure operations were conducted at warehouses of the following companies: Amazon (14 warehouses), Instakart (7 warehouses), and Blinkit (1 warehouse).
* **Awareness Campaigns:** The government has conducted enforcement raids on dark stores and publicized these actions through print, social, and electronic media. This included utilizing BIS social media handles on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/indianstandards), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/IndianStandards), and Twitter/X (https://x.com/IndianStandards).
The document does not contain details regarding the total amount of fines collected, details of companies found in violation of established regulations, or suspensions of dark store operations. However, it highlights proactive measures taken by BIS to enforce quality standards and raise awareness among stakeholders.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution: The Indian government ministry responsible for consumer affairs, food, and public distribution.
Bureau of Indian Standards: The National Standards Body of India responsible for standardization, marking and quality certification of goods.
Dark Stores: Retail distribution centers that cater exclusively to online orders.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India where raids on dark stores were conducted.
Delhi: A state/union territory in India where raids on dark stores were conducted.
Haryana: A state in India where raids on dark stores were conducted.
Karnataka: A state in India where raids on dark stores were conducted.
Maharashtra: A state in India where raids on dark stores were conducted.
Government of India
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
Department of Consumer Affairs
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2779
TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2025
RAIDS ON DARK STORES
2779. SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:
Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC
DISTRIBUTION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has carried out any study/survey regarding the issue of dark stores not
maintaining proper standards during the last five years if so, the details thereof;
(b) if so, the details regarding the total number of raids carried out by the Bureau of Indian Standards
(BIS) on Dark stores during the last five years in a State-wise manner especially in Andhra Pradesh;
(c) the details and the list of companies whose dark stores were found to be violative of the established
regulations along with total amount of fines collected from each of them during the last five years,
especially those based in Andhra Pradesh;
(d) whether the Government has suspended functioning of any such dark stores during the last five
years and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government has conducted any awareness campaigns regarding the required standards
for dark stores; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) to (d) : In FY 2024–25, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) conducted market surveillance of
products sold through e-commerce and quick commerce platforms. A total of 344 samples, falling
under mandatory BIS certification as per various Quality Control Orders, were procured. Out of
these, 142 samples were found to be without a valid BIS Certification.
Since FY 2024-25, investigations into these violations have led to search and seizure operations
at 22 warehouses of E-commerce platforms. These include three search and seizure operations each in
the States/UTs of Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra; two search and seizure operations each
in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu; and one search and seizure operation each in Gujarat, Odisha, Telangana,
Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Company-wise details of the warehouses where these search and seizure operations were conducted
are as follows:
(i) Amazon – 14 warehouses
(ii) Instakart – 7 warehouses
(iii) Blinkit – 1 warehouse(e) & (f) : A series of enforcement raids have been conducted on dark stores of e-commerce companies,
and wide publicity has been given through print media, social media, and electronic media including BIS
social media handles on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/indianstandards/), Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/ IndianStandards/) and Twitter(X) (https://x.com/IndianStandards) to generate
awareness amongst stakeholders.
*****