India has become the 13th country worldwide to issue the OIML (International Organization of Legal Metrology) pattern approval certificate, which marks a milestone in the field of legal metrology said Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Pralhad Joshi while delivering the inaugural address at the Opening Ceremony of the 89th International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) General Meeting in New Delhi today. He said that as far as Digital India, renewable energy and sustainable energy are concerned, India is marching ahead of the world.

Shri Joshi informed that India’s inflation rate today is the lowest in 11 years. He said that inflation has remained well under control throughout the regime of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and continuous monitoring of essential commodity prices is being carried out through 474 price monitoring centres across the country.

The Minister further stated that India will very shortly roll out a project for dissemination of precise Indian Standard Time, being undertaken by the Department of Consumer Affairs in association with the National Physical Laboratory and ISRO. He informed that the project aims to create the necessary technology and infrastructure to disseminate Indian Standard Time from five sites across the country. He added that dissemination of accurate time is essential for both strategic and non-strategic sectors.

The Minister said that the IEC has played an indispensable role in advancing global standards in the electrotechnical domain. Through its commitment to voluntary, consensus-based standardisation, the IEC has helped shape a world where technology is efficient, interoperable, safe, inclusive and sustainable. He extended his gratitude to the IEC for continuing its tradition of convening the world’s foremost electrotechnical experts in an environment that fosters innovation, knowledge sharing and long-lasting partnerships. He added that India, through the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), is privileged to host this year’s gathering.

Shri Joshi highlighted that in this journey of global standardisation, BIS has played a pivotal role in India’s transformation. As India’s National Standards Body, BIS has not only strengthened technical frameworks but also aligned standardisation with sustainability goals. Through active participation in international forums, BIS has fostered harmonisation of standards, encouraged innovation and facilitated the development of green technologies across sectors.

The Minister said that over the past eleven years, BIS has expanded its role from being a technical regulator to becoming a true partner in nation building. He informed that India today has nearly 24,000 Indian Standards ensuring that products meet global benchmarks of safety and performance. Certification coverage has grown from just 106 products under 14 Quality Control Orders in 2014 to 769 products under 186 QCOs, 2 Horizontal QCOs and Omnibus Technical Regulations at present. He noted that the introduction of HUID-based hallmarking for gold jewellery in July 2021 has been a milestone reform, under which more than 48 crore articles have already been hallmarked, with hallmarking centres increasing from 285 in 2014 to 1,600 today, covering 373 districts and involving over 2 lakh registered jewellers. Building on this success, hallmarking of silver jewellery and artefacts has also been introduced.

He further stated that BIS laboratories have scaled up their capacity many times over, with the network of recognised laboratories expanding from 81 in 2014–15 to 382 in 2025, while empanelled labs have increased from 62 to 287 in the same period. Training and outreach activities have also been strengthened, with programmes conducted across more than 600 districts to sensitise institutions and officials on the importance of quality standards.

The Minister said that India today is witnessing a massive technological and industrial metamorphosis. The manufacturing sector is embracing automation and precision to drive productivity. Smart factories, Industry 4.0 and cyber-physical systems are redefining the future of industry. From being the second-largest mobile phone manufacturer in the world to becoming one of the fastest growing markets for electric vehicles and solar technologies, India’s progress is being powered by ambition, supported by policy and executed through collective effort.

He added that India’s journey in the electrotechnical and energy sectors is rooted in the national vision for sustainable development and climate resilience. From being dependent on fossil fuels, India is making an unprecedented shift toward renewable energy, clean technology and low-carbon infrastructure. He recalled that even during its G20 Presidency in 2023, India prioritised energy transition and digital public infrastructure as key focus areas.

The Minister underlined that the Production-Linked Incentive schemes, mega industrial corridors, the Semicon India Program and high-impact investments are powering India’s emergence as a global hub for electronics and semiconductors. At the same time, initiatives like the National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM-KUSUM, PM Surya Ghar Yojana and FAME India Scheme are driving the transition to clean energy technologies.

He said that with the support of transformative programmes like Startup India and Digital India, India’s youth are pioneering sustainable technologies in the electrotechnical sector, where innovation and ecological consciousness go hand in hand. At the exhibition being held alongside the meeting, participants will experience the work being done by startups and industry associations that are harnessing technology to build a sustainable future in fields ranging from agriculture and healthcare to smart infrastructure, AI and digital solutions. He noted that this exhibition is not only a showcase but also a platform for meaningful engagement, collaboration and partnerships.

The Minister said that the event is also a celebration of India’s shared human spirit. Cultural programmes have been curated to reflect the country’s rich heritage, diversity and hospitality. He invited participants to experience India not only as an emerging power in sustainability, but also as a civilisation that thrives in unity, creativity and tradition.

The Minister concluded by stating with pride that India is marching ahead of the world in digital innovation, renewable energy and sustainable technologies. He expressed confidence that the deliberations, insights and collaborations of the 89th IEC General Meeting will play a pivotal role in shaping the global discourse on electrotechnical standardisation and sustainable innovation.

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Abhishek Dayal/ Nihi Sharma/ Ishita Biswas