GATC Network Expands to Strengthen India's Legal Metrology Verification Infrastructure

• 16 Sep 2026
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The Department of Consumer Affairs, operating under Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, is actively enhancing India’s Legal Metrology verification infrastructure. For this, it is working on expanding the network of Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs). A recent application round for recognition has attracted significant interest from industries, laboratories and technical institutions nationwide.

Due to amendments made to Legal Metrology Government Approved Test Centre Rules, 2013, the scope of GATCs has now been expanded to include a total of 23 categories of weighing and measuring instruments across various sectors. This includes sectors like healthcare, energy, transport, retail, manufacturing, infrastructure and many other emerging clean energy sectors.

The Department continues to encourage eligible industries, laboratories, engineering colleges, polytechnics, ITIs and testing facilities to apply for and obtain GATC recognition. Applications are being accepted yet again via Department’s online portal. The latest application window has seen an active response from prospective applicants. 

Several GATC Applications Are Currently Under Review

A number of applications have been received from eligible organizations following the latest call. They are currently being processed by Department in consultation with the relevant State Legal Metrology Departments. 

The applications are being examined for the following:-

• Completeness of documentation

• Adequacy of verification infrastructure

• Availability of qualified technical personnel

• Completion of site inspections prior to granting recognition

51 Government Approved Testing Centers have already been recognized. A strong pipeline of applications are under active consideration. Because of this, the GATC network is set to grow even further in the coming months. This expansion will lead to broader availability of technically competent verification facilities for both industry and consumers. 

Applications for GATC Recognition: Key Highlights

Here are key highlights on applications for GATC Recognition:-

• A new round of applications for GATC recognition has been announced. There has been a strong response from industry participants, laboratories and technical institutions. 

• The applications received are currently under review. As part of the examination process, site inspections and technical verifications are being conducted in collaboration with State Legal Metrology Departments. 

• To date, 51 GATCs have been recognized, and this network is expected to grow even further as more applications are approved. 

• Many states have finalized and notified their own GATC Rules to align with updated central framework.

• The scope of verification includes 23 categories of instruments, such as water, gas, and energy meters, breath analyzers, vehicle speedometers, weighing instruments, and fuel dispensers for petrol, diesel, CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen.

• This expanded network enhances Ease of Doing Business while reinforcing consumer protection in alignment with India’s recognition as an OIML Certification Authority. 

GATCs supplement State Legal Metrology infrastructure

The GATC network expansion is seen as a big step in the Department’s active efforts to modernize the Legal Metrology ecosystem in India. By allowing technically skilled private institutions to conduct verification as well as re-verification of specific weights and measures, this initiative improves capabilities of State Legal Metrology Departments.

As a result, Legal Metrology Officers can focus better on other important roles and responsibilities, such as market surveillance, risk based inspections, enforcement against serious violations and addressing consumer grievances to name a few. 

Verification Covers 23 Categories of Instruments

The expanded GATC framework covers a total of 23 categories of weighing and measuring instruments. These include, but are not limited to, the following:-

• Water, gas, and energy meters

• Breath analyzers

• Speedometers for measuring vehicle speed

• Weighing instruments

• Fuel dispensers for petrol, diesel, CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen

The Department reaffirms its commitment to creating a0 transparent, tech driven and self reliant measurement verification system. The aim of this system is to boost fairness within trade and protect consumers' interests at a national level. 

Source:- Ministry of Consumer Affairs