Archive · 12 Nov 2025
India Opens Door for Private Labs to Become Government-Approved Test Centres
Imagine India needs to check if scales and meters used in shops and factories are accurate.
Usually, only government people do this.
But now, the government has opened a new website where private companies with good equipment and trained staff can also apply to become official checkers.
This is like letting more trusted helpers join in to make sure everything is fair and correct.
It will help speed things up because there are many more businesses now.
These private checkers will be approved by the government and will help ensure that things like water meters, energy meters, and even thermometers are working properly.
This new system is expected to make trade more honest and help Indian businesses become stronger and more trusted around the world.
India has launched an online portal for private laboratories to apply for recognition as Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs).
The initiative aims to increase India's capacity for verifying weighing and measuring instruments, enhancing transparency and efficiency.
Private entities can now verify 18 categories of instruments, a role previously held primarily by government facilities.
This move represents a shift towards a public-private partnership model in the legal metrology system.
Experts view this reform as timely, supporting the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision by boosting domestic testing capabilities and reducing reliance on state-run labs.
- Who
- The Indian government, through the ministry of consumer affairs, and private laboratories, industries, and testing facilities.
- What
- Launch of an online portal for private labs to apply for recognition as Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs) to verify weighing and measuring instruments.
- When
- Applications open until November 30; portal launched recently, following a rule amendment on October 23.
- Where
- India
- Why
- To expand verification capacity, increase transparency and accuracy in trade measurement systems, and shift towards a public-private partnership model due to rapid industrial expansion outpacing government capacity.
Government Perspective
Industry Perspective
Purpose of the initiative
Government Perspective
To expand India's verification capacity, enhance transparency, accuracy, and efficiency in trade measurement systems, and allow state officers to focus on enforcement and consumer protection.
Industry Perspective
To foster domestic testing capabilities, reduce reliance on state-run labs, build trust in Indian manufacturing, and reduce transactional friction in sectors like e-commerce.
Benefits of private sector involvement
Government Perspective
It complements state facilities, reduces verification delays, and improves service access for businesses.
Industry Perspective
It brings speed, transparency, and technical consistency to certification, boosting the country's competitiveness and global credibility of Indian standards.
- Application Portal Launch Date
- Wednesday
- Application Deadline
- November 30
- Rule Amendment Date
- October 23
- Number of Instrument Categories for Verification
- 18
- Accredited Testing Labs in India (QCI)
- 5,021
- Accredited Calibration Labs in India (QCI)
- 1,177
- Accredited Medical Testing Labs in India (QCI)
- 2,226