UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — DPIIT Notifies Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 to Strengthen Supply Chains and Facilitate Industry Compliance

Q1. The Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026, which provides an alternative compliance and flexible-sourcing mechanism during technological transitions, was notified by which one of the following?

  • A. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
  • B. Department of Consumer Affairs
  • C. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
  • D. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Q2. The Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 was issued against the backdrop of how many Quality Control Orders (covering 769 products) notified for compulsory BIS certification in India?

  • A. 156
  • B. 187
  • C. 219
  • D. 769

Q3. With reference to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, consider the following statements regarding its status and functions: 1. BIS is the National Standards Body of India. 2. BIS functions under the administrative control of the Department of Consumer Affairs. 3. The Act empowers the Central Government to make BIS certification compulsory for notified products through Quality Control Orders. 4. The hallmarking of precious metal articles such as gold falls within the mandate of BIS. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. BIS is the National Standards Body of India.
  2. BIS functions under the administrative control of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
  3. The Act empowers the Central Government to make BIS certification compulsory for notified products through Quality Control Orders.
  4. The hallmarking of precious metal articles such as gold falls within the mandate of BIS.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. With reference to the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, consider the following statements: 1. The Act replaced the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986. 2. BIS is established as a statutory body administered by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 3. The Act provides for a single product certification mark and self-declaration of conformity. 4. The Act enables the Central Government to mandate compulsory certification through Quality Control Orders. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Act replaced the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986.
  2. BIS is established as a statutory body administered by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  3. The Act provides for a single product certification mark and self-declaration of conformity.
  4. The Act enables the Central Government to mandate compulsory certification through Quality Control Orders.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q5. Under the Quality Control Order (QCO) framework, which one of the following is the sole authority empowered to grant a manufacturer the licence to use the Standard Mark (ISI Mark) on a product notified for compulsory certification?

  • A. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
  • B. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
  • C. Quality Council of India (QCI)
  • D. The line Ministry that issues the QCO

Q6. As per the Startup India Action Plan unveiled by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Plan comprises exactly how many action items spanning areas such as simplification and handholding, funding support and incentives, and industry-academia partnership and incubation?

  • A. 12
  • B. 16
  • C. 19
  • D. 25

Q7. With reference to India's quality ecosystem and the Quality Control Order (QCO) framework, consider the following statements: 1. QCOs are issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. 2. The Bureau of Indian Standards is the implementing agency for QCO-mandated certification. 3. Once a QCO is notified, manufacture, stocking and sale of non-certified products is prohibited. 4. QCOs are always notified solely by the Bureau of Indian Standards, with no role for line ministries or departments. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. QCOs are issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.
  2. The Bureau of Indian Standards is the implementing agency for QCO-mandated certification.
  3. Once a QCO is notified, manufacture, stocking and sale of non-certified products is prohibited.
  4. QCOs are always notified solely by the Bureau of Indian Standards, with no role for line ministries or departments.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. With reference to the Transition Facilitation (Quality Control) Order, 2026 and the existing QCO regime, consider the following statements: 1. As against ad hoc sector-by-sector relaxations granted earlier, the 2026 Order provides a horizontal, overarching transitional flexibility framework across QCO-covered sectors. 2. The 2026 Order was notified by DPIIT, whereas the underlying mandatory certification regime derives from the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. 3. The 2026 Order replaces the requirement of BIS certification under the existing 187 QCOs covering 769 products. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. As against ad hoc sector-by-sector relaxations granted earlier, the 2026 Order provides a horizontal, overarching transitional flexibility framework across QCO-covered sectors.
  2. The 2026 Order was notified by DPIIT, whereas the underlying mandatory certification regime derives from the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016.
  3. The 2026 Order replaces the requirement of BIS certification under the existing 187 QCOs covering 769 products.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. Under the Bureau of Indian Standards' product certification framework, which one of the following best describes Scheme-II, the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS)?

  • A. A scheme under which conformity is established on the basis of the manufacturer's self-declaration of conformity, after registration with BIS
  • B. A scheme under which BIS grants a licence to use the ISI Standard Mark only after inspecting the factory and testing product samples
  • C. A scheme under which jewellers obtain a registration to apply the six-digit HUID hallmark on gold articles
  • D. A scheme under which foreign manufacturers are granted a Certificate of Conformity to export goods to India

Q10. Under the BIS mandatory hallmarking regime for gold jewellery, how many distinct marks must be present on a hallmarked article?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Six

Q11. Quality Control Orders (QCOs) notified by line ministries make certification of the covered products compulsory. Which one of the following is the agency that implements this certification and grants the licence/mark required under a QCO?

  • A. Quality Council of India (QCI)
  • B. Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)
  • C. National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)
  • D. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)

Q12. The power of the Central Government to issue Quality Control Orders making BIS certification mandatory for a product category is derived from which one of the following?

  • A. Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 1986
  • B. Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016
  • C. Consumer Protection Act, 2019
  • D. Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976