Why in NEWS
The Quality Council of India (QCI) celebrated World Accreditation Day (WAD) on 9th June 2025 with the theme “Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)”.
Definitions and Key Concepts
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Accreditation | Formal recognition that an institution meets standards for testing, inspection, or certification. |
| QCI | Quality Council of India, autonomous body promoting quality across sectors. |
| NABL | National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories. |
| NABCB | National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies. |
News Simplified
- QCI launched the revamped NABL Portal to make digital accreditation easier for MSMEs.
- The Gunvatta Samarpan Initiative was also launched to encourage public commitment to quality standards.
- These steps aim to help SMEs access global markets through reliable certification and boost India’s quality infrastructure.
About QCI
- Established: 1997 under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- Chairperson: Appointed by the Prime Minister on industry recommendations.
- Mandate: Develop the National Accreditation Structure (NAS) for testing, certification, and inspection across sectors.
- Key Industry Members: ASSOCHAM, CII, FICCI.
In a nutshell
Mnemonic: QCI-NABL-NABCB = Quality Backbone for SMEs
→ QCI’s new digital push aims to make Indian MSMEs globally competitive through better access to accredited testing and certification.
Prelims Practice Questions
- What is the main function of the Quality Council of India (QCI)?
a) Provide loans to MSMEs
b) Offer industrial training
c) Manage national accreditation for quality assessment
d) Enforce environmental regulations - Which of the following bodies are part of QCI’s accreditation structure?
a) NABL and FSSAI
b) NABCB and NABL
c) BIS and NABH
d) TRAI and NABL - What was the theme of World Accreditation Day 2025?
a) Accreditation for Global Trade
b) Standards for Startups
c) Accreditation: Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises
d) Quality for All
Answers with Explanations
| Qn | Ans | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | c | QCI oversees quality standards and accreditation in India. |
| 2 | b | NABCB and NABL are both part of QCI’s accreditation structure. |
| 3 | c | This year’s WAD theme focused on empowering SMEs through accreditation. |
