New Delhi: A high-level committee led by Rajiv Gauba (Retd IAS:1982: JH), former Cabinet Secretary and current NITI Aayog member, will meet on September 6, 2025, to review industry concerns over certification processes and regulatory bottlenecks that impact productivity and competitiveness.
The committee, constituted on August 19, 2025, was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as part of his Independence Day address, where he emphasized the need for next-generation reforms. The panel brings together senior secretaries, technocrats, and economists with a mandate to enhance ease of doing business and ease of living, while reducing the compliance burden on enterprises and citizens.
Focus on BIS Certification and QCOs
A key agenda for the Gauba panel is addressing challenges related to the Quality Control Orders (QCOs) administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). Under these orders, manufacturers are required to obtain BIS certification before selling or importing certain products. Industry bodies have repeatedly flagged the process as a compliance bottleneck that slows down approvals and affects competitiveness.
Complementary Reform Initiatives
Alongside the Gauba-led committee, the government has also set up a Task Force on Deregulation and Compliance Reduction, headed by K K Pathak (IAS:1990: BH) and constituted earlier this year by Cabinet Secretary Dr. T V Somanathan (IAS:1987: TN). Both panels form part of the government’s broader reform drive aimed at simplifying rules and ensuring India’s regulatory framework aligns with global standards.
PM’s Reform Vision
In his August 15, 2025 Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Modi underscored the urgency of redrafting existing laws and regulations to suit the demands of the 21st century. He stressed that policies and procedures must be aligned with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
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