Government Approved Test Centre network grows to 51 under Legal Metrology framework

1
The Department of Consumer Affairs has recognised 51 Government Approved Test Centres (GATCs), with fresh applications under process.
2
Amended GATC Rules cover 23 categories of weighing and measuring instruments, including fuel dispensers for petrol, diesel, CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen.
3
Several States have notified their own GATC Rules in line with the amended central framework.

●GATCs: private or institutional labs recognised to verify and re-verify weights and measures, supplementing State Legal Metrology Departments.
●Recognised so far: 51; applicants include industries, labs, engineering colleges, polytechnics and ITIs.
●Scope: 23 instrument categories — water, gas and energy meters, breath analysers, vehicle speedometers, weighing instruments, fuel dispensers.
●Rules: Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Rules, 2013, amended in 2026 to add petrol/diesel, CNG, LPG, LNG and hydrogen dispensers.
●Parent law: Legal Metrology Act, 2009, in force 1 April 2011; replaced the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976 and its 1985 Enforcement Act.
●Department of Consumer Affairs administers the framework; India is an OIML Certification Authority.

Exam Relevance

ssc

General Awareness > Polity > Consumer Laws

Previously Asked (PYQs)

UPSC Prelims 2016

India's ranking in the 'Ease of Doing Business Index' is sometimes seen in the news. Which of the following has declared that ranking?

Answer: World Bank

UPSC Prelims 2019

Which one of the following is not a sub-index of the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Index?

Answer: Maintenance of law and order

Expected Questions

★The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 replaced which earlier law on weights and measures?

Key Terms

Legal metrology

Legally regulated measurement ensuring accuracy of weights and measures used in trade and public safety.

OIML

International Organization of Legal Metrology, which sets model regulations for measuring instruments.

priority_highMust Remember

•51 GATCs; 23 instrument categories.
•Legal Metrology Act 2009, in force 1 April 2011; GATC Rules 2013.
•Hydrogen and LNG dispensers now verifiable at GATCs.

tips_and_updatesExam Tips

•Legal metrology sits with the Department of Consumer Affairs, not BIS or the Commerce Ministry.

Question 1 of 2Score: 0/0

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Current Affairs Pulse

Government Approved Test Centre network grows to 51 under Legal Metrology framework

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Exam Relevance

Previously Asked (PYQs)

Expected Questions

Key Terms

priority_highMust Remember

tips_and_updatesExam Tips

Practice Quiz

Government Approved Test Centres for verifying weights and measures are recognised by which department?

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