The Quality Council of India (QCI) on Wednesday announced a comprehensive set of next-generation quality reforms aimed at strengthening India’s quality ecosystem across healthcare, laboratories, MSMEs and manufacturing sectors.
The reforms were unveiled on the eve of Sushasan Divas 2025 and align with the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. According to an official release, the reforms are inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and honour the legacy of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The reforms are being implemented under the guidance of Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal.
As part of the system-wide reforms, QCI unveiled the Q Mark – Desh ka Haq, a QR-coded Mark of Quality designed to enhance transparency, trust and citizen awareness. The initiative will allow citizens to verify the quality credentials of laboratories, hospitals and MSMEs, while helping eliminate fake certificates.
The reforms signal a shift from inspection-based systems to trust-based governance through reduced paperwork, shorter timelines, fewer inspections and streamlined digital processes. QCI also announced the expansion of its assessor pool across boards and divisions to strengthen last-mile reach and induct young professionals.
A new initiative, Quality Setu, will provide a secure, ticket-based platform for time-bound grievance redressal and feedback resolution. In addition, QCI will roll out a single, paperless and modular one-stop accreditation platform to replace multiple existing portals.
For industry and MSMEs, the reforms focus on strengthening India’s manufacturing base by supporting Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers in achieving ZED and Lean certification. One lakh MSMEs and Self-Help Groups under the ODOP initiative will be trained in quality, packaging and branding in 2026. Certification fees for ZED and Lean programmes will also be reduced to improve access for small entrepreneurs.
Under laboratory-related reforms, QCI aims to position India as a global testing hub. A model scope for medical testing laboratories will be introduced to ensure uniformity. Technical skilling programmes will train 5,000 laboratory personnel in 2026. Faster scope extensions and simplified approval mechanisms will be introduced, while additional fees for product-based accreditation will be removed where test parameters are already covered.
Healthcare reforms under the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) will focus on improving patient safety and expanding access to accreditation. Hospitals with 20 per cent occupancy will be allowed to apply. The NABH MITRA programme will provide verified mentors to guide hospitals, particularly in smaller towns. The penalty framework will move towards graded penalties, and digital and AI-assisted surveillance will reduce the need for frequent on-site inspections.
Reforms under the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) aim to help Indian products access global markets. Accredited certification for indigenously manufactured products and a Quality Passport for Indian goods and services will be introduced. Fast-track accreditation will also be undertaken for emerging technology areas such as drones and cybersecurity.
Speaking on the occasion, QCI Chairman Jaxay Shah said the reforms are designed to simplify accreditation systems, reduce procedural friction and strengthen trust in India’s quality ecosystem through technology-driven processes.
According to QCI, the reforms are expected to accelerate accreditation timelines, enhance transparency, improve ease of compliance and position quality as a key enabler of sustainable growth, citizen trust and globally competitive enterprises as India moves towards Viksit Bharat 2047.
