BIS Announces Rs 38.72-Crore Project To Upgrade 21 Cotton Testing Labs
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has announced a Rs 38.72-crore project to modernise and upgrade 21 laboratories across major cotton-producing states, with the aim of strengthening quality testing infrastructure for India’s textile and agriculture sectors.
According to an official statement, BIS is providing direct financial support to establish high-precision testing facilities at critical regional locations. The laboratories are spread across the northern, central, southern and eastern zones, covering major cotton-producing states including Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
BIS said significant progress has already been made this year with the installation and commissioning of 14 High Volume Instrument (HVI) Testers and 28 Trash Analysers across 13 laboratories. These include 11 laboratories operated by the Textiles Committee and two operated by the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI).
The upgraded testing network is expected to strengthen standardised quality assessment across the cotton-to-textile value chain, covering key parameters related to cotton quality and fibre characteristics.
The initiative is also aimed at addressing infrastructure gaps in cotton testing, enabling local producers to access advanced testing facilities and supporting greater consistency in the quality of Indian cotton.
BIS said the technologically advanced testing network will contribute to strengthening India’s cotton and textile sectors and support the country’s position in international markets.
