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Chandan Bahl, Deputy Director General (International Relations) at the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), delivered a compelling presentation during a key knowledge session at Startup Mahakumbh 2025, which concluded today at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
Standards are critical enablers of innovation, quality, and market access. Demonstrating compliance with standards enhances trust, facilitates faster go-to-market, and improves safety, reliability, and international trade.
As India aspires to be a developed nation, we must become a standards-based economy.
However, many startups mistakenly believe that standards are only for large companies and limit creativity. The truth is quite the opposite—standards provide a foundation for innovation.
Think of open-source software: it's standardized and forms the bedrock of rapid tech development. Standards allow startups to build on reliable frameworks, accelerate product development, and ensure compatibility.
From ensuring cybersecurity and data privacy to enabling safe product testing and performance benchmarks, standards reduce time, cost, and uncertainty—all critical for scaling. Compliance fosters market validation, investor confidence, regulatory alignment, and global reach.
Moreover, startups have a unique role in shaping future standards, especially in emerging areas like AI, IoT, agritech, and healthtech.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) provides the platform to engage. Join technical committees, contribute your expertise, and influence national and international standards.
In essence, standards don’t stifle innovation—they power it. Start thinking about standards from day one, not as an afterthought. They’re not just rules—they're your startup’s runway to success, scale, and lasting impact.