SHINE – Standards Help Inform & Nurture Empowered Women

The 79th Foundation Day of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) was celebrated in New Delhi on January 6, 2026, marking nearly eight decades of BIS’s contribution to strengthening India’s quality and standards ecosystem. BIS functions as India’s National Standards Body under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.

Strengthening Quality and Standards Ecosystem
With over 23,300 Indian Standards currently in force, BIS plays a critical role in ensuring the safety, reliability and global competitiveness of products and services across sectors. The organisation continues to focus on innovation, digital transformation and inclusive outreach to meet emerging national and global needs.

Launch of Key Initiatives
On the occasion, the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution launched and highlighted several important initiatives, including:

• Beta launch of the BIS Standardization Portal, aimed at improving accessibility and transparency in standard-setting processes.
• Manak Se Mahila Shakti Campaign, focusing on women empowerment through awareness and participation in standards.
• BIS–SAKSHAM, an Annual Excellence Recognition Scheme to encourage and reward outstanding contributions to standardisation and quality.

SHINE Scheme for Women Empowerment
BIS also introduced “SHINE – Standards Help Inform & Nurture Empowered Women”, a new initiative that places women at the centre of India’s quality journey, promoting their engagement in standardisation, certification and consumer awareness.

Global Leadership Role of BIS
The Minister highlighted BIS’s growing international stature, including its recent hosting of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) General Meeting, with a special focus on consumer issues. This reflects India’s expanding role in shaping global standards and technical regulations.