The Quality Council of India (QCI) is an autonomous body (not controlled directly by the government) set up in 1997 by the Government of India along with Indian industry associations like CII, FICCI, and ASSOCHAM.
Its main aim is to improve the quality of products, services, and systems in India across various sectors like health, education, manufacturing, environment, etc.
- To empower citizens to demand quality in all spheres of life and also for industries to set a standard for quality in services and products and to maintain those standards.
- To develop guidelines at the level of Industries, governments and institutions to set quality standards and to keep updating them constantly.
- To establish and operate National Accreditation programmes in accordance with the International standards. Also, to carry out regular inspections on laboratories that are involved in testing and calibration.
- To form National Accreditation programmes where there are none and to develop the existing programmes in service sectors such as education, healthcare, environment protection, governance etc.
- To encourage the usage of third-party assessment models even in Government organizations, other organizations and society in general.
- To help the public have easy access to an enquiry on standards and quality through National information and Enquiry services on standards and quality.
- To have an appeal mechanism to tackle unresolved complaints.
Who Runs It?
- The Chairperson is nominated by the Prime Minister of India.
- It works under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
What Does QCI Do?
| Function | Description |
|---|
| Accreditation | QCI runs boards that accredit (approve/verify) various labs, certification bodies, and institutions. |
| Certification | It helps in ensuring that companies meet national and international quality standards. |
| Promotion of Quality | QCI promotes the culture of quality and standards in every sector. |
| Skill Development | Supports skill training and certification. |
| Policy Support | Helps the government in drafting quality-related policies and frameworks. |
FAQs
Key Boards under QCI?
- NABL – National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories
- NABH – National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers
- NABET – National Accreditation Board for Education and Training
- NBQP – National Board for Quality Promotion
- NABCB – National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies
Why is QCI Important?
- Helps Indian companies and institutions match global standards.
- Improves customer trust, exports, and brand image.
- Assists in government schemes and quality control.
- Builds a culture of quality and reliability in India.