SHINE Scheme

Recently, on the occasion of the 79th Foundation Day of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Union Ministers launched the SHINE Scheme in New Delhi.
The scheme reflects the government’s emphasis on women empowerment through quality awareness and standardisation.

About the SHINE Scheme

SHINE stands for Standards Help Inform & Nurture Empowered Women.
It is a new initiative of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) aimed at placing women at the centre of India’s quality and standards ecosystem.

The scheme seeks to empower women by equipping them with knowledge of standards, safety, and quality, thereby enhancing both household well-being and economic resilience.

Objectives of the SHINE Scheme

• To empower women with practical knowledge related to product quality, safety, and standards.

• To spread awareness about BIS standards at the household and community level.

• To strengthen livelihoods and consumer protection through informed decision-making.

Key Features of the SHINE Scheme

• Structured Training Programmes: Women are trained through well-designed modules focusing on quality and safety standards.

• Grassroots Outreach: The scheme works in collaboration with NGOs, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and community organisations.

• Local Delivery: Programmes are delivered at the local level, ensuring accessibility and relevance.

• Community Impact: Awareness is spread within households, SHGs, and local communities, helping protect families and promote safer consumption practices.

Role of BIS under the SHINE Scheme

Through the SHINE initiative, BIS acts as a knowledge enabler, spreading awareness about:

• Product standards and certifications

• Safety norms

• Quality assurance practices

This approach helps integrate standards into everyday life rather than limiting them to industrial or regulatory spaces.

Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): Key Facts

• Status: BIS is the National Standards Body of India.

• Legal Basis: Established under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.

• Objective: To ensure the harmonious development of standardisation, marking, and quality certification of goods and services.

Historical Background of BIS

BIS is the successor of the Indian Standards Institution (ISI), which was established in 1947.
ISI played a critical role in quality control and industrial efficiency during India’s early phase of industrialisation.

International Role of BIS

BIS represents India at major international standard-setting bodies, including:

• International Organization for Standardization (ISO)

• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)

Administrative Details

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution

• Headquarters: New Delhi

• Presence: Regional and branch offices across India

Significance of the SHINE Scheme

The SHINE Scheme is significant because it:

• Integrates women empowerment with quality infrastructure

• Promotes consumer awareness at the grassroots level

• Strengthens India’s culture of standards and safety from the household upwards