BIS Chennai Celebrates World Standards Day with Manak Mahotsav 2026

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), organised 'Manak Mahotsav 2026 in Chennai on 14 October 2026, commemorating the World Standards Day. The event focused on this year’s theme, “Shared Vision for a Better World: Standards for the Sustainable Development Goals – SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy,” highlighting the crucial role of standards in advancing clean energy technologies, improving energy efficiency and supporting sustainable development.

The programme brought together Government Representatives, Industry Experts, Technical Professionals and other Stakeholders to deliberate on the importance of standardisation in ensuring quality, safety, reliability and sustainability, particularly in the evolving energy sector.

Shri S. D. Dayanand, Senior Director and Head, BIS Chennai, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the significance of World Standards Day and BIS’s role in developing and promoting Indian Standards. He noted that World Standards Day, observed every year on October 14, recognises the collaborative efforts of experts and standardisation organisations worldwide in developing standards that facilitate international cooperation, promote trade, protect consumers and contribute to sustainable development.

Emphasising this year’s focus on SDG 7, he stated that access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is essential for economic growth, industrial development and improving the quality of life. He highlighted the importance of Indian Standards in ensuring the safety, performance, quality and efficiency of solar photovoltaic systems, wind energy equipment, energy-efficient appliances, batteries and other renewable energy technologies. He also underscored the need for collective efforts by government departments, industries, research institutions, academic institutions and consumers to promote the effective implementation of standards. He also informed some of the Indian Standards formulated on the Theme.

Shri M. A. J. Vinod, Deputy Director General (Southern Region), BIS, highlighted the importance of standards in achieving SDG 7 and supporting India's clean energy transition. He outlined BIS’s contributions to the development of Indian Standards for solar photovoltaic systems, wind energy, biomass and energy storage, along with alignment with international frameworks developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). He also highlighted energy-efficiency labelling programmes that empower consumers, the expansion of testing and certification capabilities, and initiatives supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups in adopting clean energy standards.

He emphasised that effective standardisation benefits citizens through safer products and improved energy efficiency, strengthens industrial competitiveness in global markets, and supports national priorities relating to energy security, reduced carbon emissions and climate commitments. He called for stronger international collaboration, expanded regional testing facilities, greater awareness of clean energy standards, and the early adoption of standards by startups and MSMEs.

The Inaugural Address was delivered by Shri P. Venkataramanan, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Government of Tamil Nadu. In his address, the Minister underscored the significance of standards in ensuring quality, safety and reliability in everyday life and appreciated BIS’s efforts in formulating standards and promoting their adoption across sectors. He highlighted how standards contribute to improving the quality of life by ensuring that products and services meet essential requirements, while supporting development priorities and public welfare. The Minister also emphasised the importance of extending the implementation of standards across government departments and expressed his intention to promote their implementation in his own department, reflecting the relevance of standardisation in strengthening public service delivery and institutional practices.

The technical sessions featured eminent experts discussing advancements in energy and technology. Dr. K. Srinivas Reddy, V. Balaraman, Chair Professor, Heat Transfer and Thermal Power Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras; Dr. Jai Prakash, Deputy Director General, National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE); Prof. Balaji Ramakrishnan, Director, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Chennai; and Dr. K. Natesan, Outstanding Scientist and Director, Reactor Design, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, shared their expertise, highlighting the role of standards in ensuring safety, efficiency and reliability while supporting innovation and India's transition towards sustainable energy.

As part of the celebrations, BIS organised a felicitation ceremony under the “Manak Veer Award” category, recognising the valuable contributions of Individuals and Stakeholders in supporting BIS initiatives and promoting standardisation and quality consciousness. The felicitation acknowledged the efforts of contributors who have helped strengthen public awareness and outreach on standards, reinforcing the importance of collective participation in building a quality-conscious society.

The programme also provided an opportunity to recognise the contributions of retired BIS officers, whose service and expertise have supported the organisation’s standardisation efforts over the years.

Manak Mahotsav 2026 reaffirmed BIS’s commitment to strengthening India’s quality infrastructure and advancing sustainable development through standards. By promoting safe, reliable and energy-efficient technologies, BIS continues to support the country’s transition towards affordable and clean energy, while reinforcing the role of standardisation in building consumer confidence, encouraging innovation and creating a more sustainable future.

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