India Introduces Q Mark, Quality Setu to Boost Transparency
Quality Reforms Target Labs, Healthcare, MSMEs, Manufacturing
New Delhi: In view of advancing India’s quality ecosystem, the Quality Council of India (QCI) has unveiled a comprehensive set of next-generation reforms aimed at modernising standards across healthcare, laboratories, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and manufacturing. Announced today on the eve of Sushasan Divas 2025—a day marking the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and reflecting on good governance—the reforms are guided by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and align with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
At the heart of the initiative is Q Mark – Desh ka Haq, a QR-coded quality mark designed to provide citizens with verified information on laboratories, hospitals, and MSMEs. The system ensures full disclosure, helping to eliminate fake certifications and improve transparency in the quality ecosystem. The reforms mark a deliberate shift from inspection-based oversight to a trust-oriented framework, reducing paperwork, shortening timelines, and lowering barriers for assessors. Expanding the assessor pool across boards and divisions aims to strengthen last-mile reach and attract young experts to the quality assurance process.
To facilitate grievance redressal, QCI launched Quality Setu, a secure ticket-based system enabling time-bound responses and feedback resolution. A modular, paperless accreditation platform will replace multiple existing portals, simplifying compliance for enterprises and institutions.
For industry and MSMEs, which form the backbone of India’s economy, the reforms focus on mentoring and support for Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers to achieve Zero Defect Zero Effect (ZED) and Lean certification, aligning domestic products with global standards. In 2026, one lakh MSMEs and Self-Help Groups under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative will receive training in quality, packaging, and branding. A Shop Floor Best Practices Playbook will familiarise small businesses with global operational standards, while certification fees for ZED and Lean programmes will be reduced to improve affordability and access for last-mile entrepreneurs.
Laboratory reforms under the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) aim to standardise accreditation scopes, train 5,000 personnel in 2026, and reduce delays in approvals. Self-declaration for authorised signatories will allow approvals within 48 hours, and laboratories may request scope extensions for similar products, methods, tests, or analytes already covered under existing accreditation, eliminating additional fees.
Healthcare reforms under the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) aim to enhance patient safety and expand accredited services across India. Direct guidance will be provided through the MITRA programme, with trained and verified mentors supporting hospitals, especially in smaller towns. Accreditation norms now allow hospitals with 20 per cent occupancy to apply, and penalties follow a graded framework with opportunities for course correction. Role-based skilling will be offered through Gunvatta Pathshala for doctors, nurses, and technicians. AI-assisted desktop surveillance, including form-filling and desk-based monitoring, will reduce the need for frequent on-site inspections for consistently performing hospitals, allowing resources to focus on institutions needing support.
Under the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), reforms are designed to enable smoother global acceptance of Indian products and services. Accredited certification for indigenously manufactured goods will facilitate international market access, and a Quality Passport will allow faster recognition of Indian products abroad. Fast-track accreditation will also be available for emerging technology areas such as drones and cybersecurity.
Speaking on the reforms, QCI Chairman Jaxay Shah said: “…these next-generation reforms simplify accreditation, reduce procedural friction, and strengthen trust in the quality ecosystem. By leveraging technology and expanding assessor capacity, we aim to make quality assurance faster, more transparent, and more accessible for enterprises, institutions, and citizens across the country.”
Over the years, QCI has pursued structural and process-driven reforms to modernise accreditation, rationalise inspections, expand institutional capacity, and integrate digital technologies, improving transparency and ease of compliance. These measures reflect a sustained effort to position India’s quality architecture as a tool for governance, citizen trust, and enterprise competitiveness, supporting the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
– global bihari bureau
