The Indian standards Ind\stitution which is the national standards body of India, was established in 1947, the year of Indian Independence by a resolution of the Government of India, with the active support of Industrial, scientific and technical organistaions in the country. The aims and objects of the Institution include preparation of standard relating to products, commodities, materials and processes and the promotion of their general adoption on national and international level; promotion of standardization, quality control and simplification of the efforts of producers and users for the improvement of materials, products, appliances, processes and methods; provision of the registration of standardizasion marks applicable to products, commodities, etc.; and circulation od statistics and other information relative to standardization.

The ISI is an autonomous body and its overal control rests with the General Council, with the Minister incharge in Government of India as its ex-officio President. The General Council includes representatives from industry. Central and State Governments and scientific and technical organisations.

The income of the Institution is received from the grant-in-aid from the Government of India, subscriptions from members including State Governments, sale of Indian Standards and Certification Marking fees. Fr the formulation of India Standards, which are also the national standards, which are also the national standards of the country, the Institution functions through a large number of technical committees, where-in are taken experts representing different interests, such as manufacturers; purchasers; consumers; scientific; research and technical organisations, etc. With the object of providing practical utility of standards to the ordnary consumer, the institution is operating the ISI certification Marks Scheme under an Act of Parliament. Manufacturers who produce goods to conform to the relevent Indian Standards whereby they are permited to apply on their products ISI Certification Mark which provides a third-party guarantee to the consumer that the goods are of standard quality. The ISI has also its own laboratory with the primary object of testing certified products manufactured in accordance with the Indian Standard specifications, as well as those offered by applicants for the grant of licence under the ISI Certification Marks Scheme. The ISI is also maintaining a well-equiped library of standards and specifications issued by different authorities in various countries and also organises training programmes, survey programmes, conferences, etc. as part of their objectives of assisting Indian Industries in organising their inplant standards activity.

At the international level the ISI collaborates closely with the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IES) - the two international organisations devoted to sytandardization work. The ISI is also an active member of the Commonwealth Standards Conference. The training facilities available in the ISI have also been extended to the developing countries of Asia and Africa who very often have to face problems of shortage of trained personel for standardization. The ISI has completed 25 years of its pioneering work in promoting, fostering and furthering the concept of standardisation in this country.

The Indian Posts and telegraphs department feel privilaged in commemorating the Silver Jubilee of this national institution by bringin out a special postage stamp to mark this event.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India