Content
- Exercise PRAGATI 2026
- India’s Evolving Metrology Ecosystem
Exercise PRAGATI 2026
Why in News?
- India commenced the multilateral military exercise PRAGATI 2026 at Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya with participation from 12 friendly nations, highlighting India’s growing emphasis on regional security cooperation, counter-terrorism preparedness and defence diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific.
Relevance
- GS II: International Relations, Regional Groupings, India’s Neighbourhood Policy
- GS III: Internal Security, Defence Diplomacy, Maritime Security, Defence Indigenisation
Practice Question
- GS II: “Exercise PRAGATI reflects India’s transition from a balancing power to a security provider in the Indo-Pacific.” Analyse.
About Exercise PRAGATI 2026
- PRAGATI stands for Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region, reflecting India’s effort to institutionalise military cooperation, strategic trust-building and interoperability among regional partners facing common maritime and non-traditional security threats.
- The two-week exercise focuses primarily on counter-terrorism operations in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain, including joint tactical drills, intelligence-sharing mechanisms, coordinated operations and physical endurance training under complex operational conditions resembling real-world insurgency environments.
- Participating countries include Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, demonstrating India’s widening strategic outreach across South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean Region.
- Indigenous defence technologies and innovations are also being showcased under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, providing a platform for defence diplomacy, export promotion and technological collaboration with friendly foreign militaries and governments.
Strategic Significance for India
Indian Ocean Region (IOR) Security
- Exercise PRAGATI strengthens India’s role as a “Net Security Provider” in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) by promoting collective responses against piracy, terrorism, maritime crime, trafficking networks and emerging hybrid security threats affecting regional stability and sea-lane security.
- The exercise operationalises India’s SAGAR doctrine — Security and Growth for All in the Region — by encouraging cooperative security partnerships, mutual trust and institutional coordination among littoral and partner countries in the Indo-Pacific maritime domain.
- Participation of strategically located island and coastal nations such as Maldives, Sri Lanka and Seychelles helps India strengthen maritime partnerships near critical Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) and chokepoints vulnerable to geopolitical competition and external military influence.
Countering China’s Expanding Influence
- PRAGATI indirectly strengthens India’s strategic balancing posture against China’s expanding military and economic footprint through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Maritime Silk Route and growing PLA Navy deployments across the Indian Ocean and South China Sea regions.
- Inclusion of countries such as Vietnam and the Philippines, both deeply involved in South China Sea disputes, reflects India’s broader Indo-Pacific strategy aimed at supporting a rules-based regional order and freedom of navigation principles.
- India’s approach remains cooperative rather than alliance-based, enabling smaller regional states to engage in security collaboration without being forced into overt geopolitical alignments amid intensifying US–China strategic competition.
Northeast India and Act East Policy
- Conducting the exercise in Meghalaya highlights the strategic importance of Northeast India as a gateway to ASEAN nations and demonstrates the integration of military diplomacy with India’s broader Act East Policy objectives.
- The Northeast’s proximity to Southeast Asia provides ideal terrain for jungle warfare and counter-insurgency training while simultaneously reinforcing India’s geopolitical outreach towards ASEAN, BIMSTEC and Indo-Pacific regional architectures.
- Hosting multinational military exercises in the Northeast also contributes to regional infrastructure development, strategic connectivity and greater integration of border states into India’s long-term national security and foreign policy framework.
Military and Security Dimensions
Counter-Terrorism Cooperation
- The exercise improves operational coordination among participating armies in combating terrorism, insurgency and transnational extremist networks operating in difficult terrain, especially in jungle, coastal and mountainous regions across South and Southeast Asia.
- Joint tactical drills and coordinated operations help armies develop common operational procedures, communication systems and battlefield coordination mechanisms essential for multinational missions, peacekeeping operations and humanitarian contingencies.
- Sharing counter-insurgency experiences among participating nations enhances collective learning regarding intelligence gathering, civilian protection, special operations and handling asymmetric threats posed by non-state actors and radical extremist organisations.
Intelligence Sharing and Interoperability
- PRAGATI seeks to evolve institutionalised frameworks for intelligence sharing and best-practice exchanges, especially concerning cross-border terrorism, organised crime, maritime surveillance and emerging security threats in the Indo-Pacific region.
- Improved interoperability among participating forces strengthens their ability to conduct coordinated responses during multinational operations, disaster relief missions and United Nations peacekeeping deployments under rapidly evolving operational environments.
- Such exercises also help reduce mistrust and improve military-to-military communication channels, thereby lowering risks of misunderstanding, strategic miscalculation and delayed coordination during regional security crises or humanitarian emergencies.
Hybrid and Non-Traditional Threats
- Modern security threats increasingly involve hybrid warfare techniques such as cyberattacks, drones, disinformation campaigns and proxy militant networks, requiring coordinated multinational responses beyond traditional conventional military preparedness.
- Exercises like PRAGATI enable armed forces to adapt to technology-driven security environments by enhancing flexibility, rapid decision-making and integrated operational planning under uncertain and asymmetric battlefield conditions.
- Counter-terrorism training in semi-mountainous and jungle terrain is particularly relevant for countries confronting insurgency, narco-terrorism and illegal trafficking networks exploiting porous borders and weak governance structures.
Defence Diplomacy and Soft Power
- The traditional welcome accorded to participating contingents reflects India’s use of cultural diplomacy and military soft power to deepen trust, goodwill and long-term strategic relationships with neighbouring and partner countries.
- Defence diplomacy through recurring military exercises helps India institutionalise strategic partnerships beyond formal treaties by fostering personal rapport, professional exchanges and confidence-building measures (CBMs) among military leadership and personnel.
- Such engagements enhance India’s credibility as a responsible regional power committed to inclusive security cooperation rather than coercive or dominance-oriented geopolitical approaches in the Indo-Pacific.
Economic and Defence Industrial Significance
Atmanirbhar Bharat in Defence
- Showcasing indigenous defence technologies during PRAGATI 2026 supports India’s objective of becoming a major defence manufacturing and export hub while reducing dependence on imported military systems and strategic platforms.
- Initiatives such as Defence Industrial Corridors, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and Positive Indigenisation Lists complement these efforts by encouraging domestic innovation, private-sector participation and technological self-reliance in strategic sectors.
- Military exercises provide practical opportunities for friendly countries to evaluate Indian defence equipment, surveillance systems, drones and communication technologies under realistic operational conditions before procurement decisions.
Defence Export Potential
- Participating developing countries represent potential markets for affordable Indian defence products, especially in areas such as coastal surveillance, unmanned systems, electronic warfare, protective gear and counter-insurgency equipment.
- India’s defence exports crossed approximately ₹21,000 crore in FY 2024–25, reflecting growing international confidence in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and expanding strategic footprint.
- Defence exports also strengthen India’s geopolitical influence by building long-term strategic dependencies, maintenance partnerships and training cooperation with friendly countries across the Global South.
Challenges and Limitations
- Significant asymmetry exists among participating countries regarding military technology, logistics infrastructure, training standards and institutional capacity, which may limit deeper interoperability and coordinated operational effectiveness.
- Political instability, regime changes and domestic conflicts within some participating nations can affect continuity, consistency and long-term institutionalisation of defence cooperation frameworks and regional strategic initiatives.
- Many smaller countries seek balanced relations with both India and China, limiting the possibility of transforming such exercises into overt strategic coalitions or security blocs directed against any particular country.
- Sustained multilateral engagement requires substantial financial resources, logistical coordination, regular exercises and long-term political commitment, which may become difficult amid competing domestic and strategic priorities.
Way Forward
- India should institutionalise PRAGATI as a flagship recurring multilateral military exercise with permanent working groups, intelligence-sharing mechanisms and regular doctrinal exchanges among participating countries.
- Future editions should expand beyond counter-terrorism to include cybersecurity, maritime domain awareness, artificial intelligence, drone warfare and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) cooperation.
- India should integrate PRAGATI more closely with regional frameworks such as BIMSTEC, ASEAN-led mechanisms and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) to strengthen cooperative security architecture in the region.
- Greater emphasis should also be placed on joint production, technology transfer, capacity-building initiatives and defence industrial partnerships to create sustainable and mutually beneficial long-term strategic cooperation.
Constitutional and Governance Linkages
- Defence, armed forces and international military cooperation fall under the Union List of the Seventh Schedule, giving the Union Government primary responsibility for national security and strategic partnerships.
- Exercise PRAGATI also reflects the spirit of Article 51 of the Constitution, which encourages the promotion of international peace and security, arbitration and respectful relations among nations.
Prelims Pointers
- PRAGATI = Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region.
- Venue (2026): Umroi Military Station, Meghalaya.
- Focus areas include counter-terrorism, jungle warfare, interoperability and intelligence sharing.
- Closely linked with India’s SAGAR Doctrine, Act East Policy and Indo-Pacific strategic outreach.
India’s Evolving Metrology Ecosystem
Why in News?
- India is strengthening its metrology and legal metrology ecosystem through reforms under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, digital initiatives like eMaap Portal, One Nation One Time, and expanded OIML certification authority, aimed at improving fair trade, consumer protection, industrial quality and global competitiveness.
Relevance
- GS II: Governance, Consumer Protection, Regulatory Reforms, E-Governance
- GS III: Science & Technology, Industrial Competitiveness, Digital Economy, Standards & Quality Infrastructure
Practice Question
- GS III: Precision measurement systems are becoming strategic infrastructure in the digital economy. Discuss in the context of India’s evolving metrology ecosystem.
What is Metrology?
- Metrology refers to the science of measurement, ensuring accuracy, reliability and standardisation in physical quantities such as length, weight, volume, time, temperature and electricity, which are essential for scientific research, industrial production and commercial transactions.
- Legal Metrology deals specifically with the regulation and enforcement of measurements used in trade, commerce and public services, ensuring consumers receive the correct quantity, quality and value in market transactions.
- Standardised measurements create trust in sectors such as healthcare, telecommunications, energy distribution, infrastructure, digital payments, e-commerce and manufacturing, thereby supporting economic efficiency and regulatory transparency.
Historical Evolution of India’s Measurement System
Ancient Indian Measurement Heritage
- Ancient India possessed highly organised systems of weights and measures using units such as Rati, Masha, Tola, Seer, Maund and Candy, which were widely used for taxation, trade, jewellery-making and agricultural transactions.
- The Indus Valley Civilization demonstrated advanced standardisation through uniform bricks, weights and urban planning systems, reflecting sophisticated understanding of measurement science and regulated commercial practices.
- During the Mauryan Empire (322–185 BCE), standardised weights and measures were institutionalised for administration, taxation and trade regulation, strengthening economic governance and imperial control mechanisms.
- Sher Shah Suri further standardised weights and measures and introduced the Rupiya coin, which later evolved into the modern Indian rupee, contributing to monetary and commercial standardisation.
Evolution of Modern Legal Metrology Framework
National Physical Laboratory (NPL), 1947
- The establishment of the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in 1947 marked the foundation of India’s modern scientific metrology ecosystem and national measurement infrastructure.
- NPL functions as India’s National Measurement Institute, maintaining national standards for measurement and serving as the custodian of India’s prototypes of the metre and kilogram.
- India’s NPL was also a founding member of the Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP), promoting regional cooperation, technical exchange and advancement of metrological capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.
- NPL developed the globally recognised indelible ink used in elections across nearly 37 countries, demonstrating India’s contribution to democratic processes and applied scientific innovation.
Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1956 and 1976
- The Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1956 established a uniform and scientific measurement system in India based on the metric system and internationally accepted standards.
- India adopted the International System of Units (SI Units) during 1957–58, aligning domestic trade and industrial standards with global metrology practices and strengthening international compatibility.
- The 1976 amendments expanded regulation over inter-state trade, standardisation of weighing instruments, packaged commodities and establishment of training systems for legal metrology officials.
- These reforms strengthened India’s integration with global legal metrology systems developed under the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).
Legal Metrology Act, 2009
Key Features
- The Legal Metrology Act, 2009, implemented from 1 April 2011, replaced earlier fragmented laws and established a modern regulatory framework for measurement standards, commercial transactions and consumer protection.
- The Act mandates adoption of the metric system and regulates all weighing and measuring instruments used in trade, commerce and public service delivery mechanisms.
- It requires mandatory verification and stamping of measuring instruments before commercial use, thereby preventing tampering, fraud and unfair trade practices.
- The Act prescribes compulsory declarations on pre-packaged commodities, including quantity, weight, manufacturing details, MRP and manufacturer information, enabling informed consumer choice and transparency.
- Legal Metrology Officers are empowered to conduct inspections, searches, seizures and enforcement actions against violations involving non-standard or manipulated weights and measures.
Commodities and Sectors Covered
Trade and Consumer Transactions
- Weighing machines used in shops, mandis and retail markets are regulated to ensure consumers receive the exact quantity for which payment is made, thereby reducing short-weighing and commercial fraud.
- Fuel dispensing units at petrol pumps undergo periodic verification and calibration to ensure accurate fuel delivery and prevent manipulation or consumer exploitation.
- Packaged commodities such as food items, medicines and household goods must carry mandatory declarations regarding quantity, MRP and manufacturing details under Legal Metrology Rules.
Public Services and Technology Sectors
- Water meters, electricity meters and gas meters are regulated to ensure accurate billing, transparency in utility services and reduction of consumer grievances related to overcharging.
- Clinical and medical instruments such as thermometers, blood pressure monitors and weighing machines are regulated because accurate measurements are essential for proper diagnosis, treatment and patient safety.
- Precision measurement systems are increasingly critical for 5G services, AI systems, semiconductor manufacturing, IoT networks and digital payment platforms, where microsecond-level accuracy is essential.
Institutional and Regulatory Framework
Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs)
- Regional Reference Standard Laboratories (RRSLs) strengthen India’s verification and calibration ecosystem by comparing and certifying standards used in laboratories, industries and commercial trade activities.
- RRSLs also support India’s international certification capacity and help maintain uniformity of measurement systems across states and sectors.
Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM)
- The Indian Institute of Legal Metrology (IILM), Ranchi functions as the national training institute for Legal Metrology Officers and regulatory personnel.
- It provides technical education, regulatory training and capacity-building programmes required for effective implementation of legal metrology laws across India.
Major Government Initiatives
eMaap Portal
- The eMaap Portal was launched by the Department of Consumer Affairs to improve Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and simplify regulatory compliance under the Legal Metrology framework.
- The portal integrates Legal Metrology systems of all States and Union Territories into a centralised digital platform, enhancing transparency, efficiency and uniformity in service delivery.
- It provides nationwide online registration facilities for manufacturers, dealers, repairers, importers and packaged commodity producers, reducing bureaucratic delays and compliance burdens.
One Nation, One Time Initiative
- India launched the One Nation, One Time initiative to disseminate Indian Standard Time (IST) with millisecond-to-microsecond accuracy across the country.
- The initiative is implemented jointly by the Department of Consumer Affairs, National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and ISRO through five Legal Metrology laboratories located across India.
- It seeks to establish uniform time synchronisation for sectors such as banking, 5G services, telecommunications, AI, IoT, digital governance, navigation and power grids.
- The initiative also reduces dependence on foreign systems such as GPS-based time sources, thereby strengthening national security, critical infrastructure resilience and digital sovereignty.
OIML Certification Recognition
- India became a member of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML) in 1956, strengthening its integration with global measurement governance frameworks.
- In 2023, India became the 13th country globally authorised to issue internationally accepted OIML approval certificates for weighing and measuring instruments.
- This recognition enables Indian manufacturers to export certified instruments globally without additional foreign testing requirements, significantly reducing costs and improving export competitiveness.
- India can now also provide certification services to foreign manufacturers, generating foreign exchange earnings and strengthening its influence in global standard-setting processes.
Jan Vishwas Reforms and Ease of Doing Business
Jan Vishwas Act, 2023
- The Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 decriminalised several provisions under the Legal Metrology Act by replacing imprisonment clauses with monetary penalties in selected cases.
- The reforms aim to reduce compliance burdens, improve Ease of Doing Business and encourage voluntary compliance while maintaining accountability and consumer protection standards.
Jan Vishwas Act, 2026
- The Jan Vishwas Act, 2026 introduced an “Improvement Notice” mechanism, particularly benefiting MSMEs by allowing rectification of procedural lapses before penalties are imposed.
- This reflects a shift from punitive regulation towards trust-based governance, facilitative compliance systems and business-friendly regulatory administration.
Metrology and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Metrology contributes to SDG 1 (No Poverty) by ensuring fair trade, transparent pricing systems and protection against commercial exploitation.
- It supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through accurate medical diagnostics, reliable healthcare instruments and safe clinical practices.
- Under SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), accurate measurement systems improve energy monitoring, renewable integration and transparent electricity billing systems.
- Metrology also advances SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by supporting industrial quality control, calibration systems, technological innovation and precision manufacturing.
- Accurate environmental measurements contribute significantly to SDG 13 (Climate Action) through scientific climate monitoring, pollution assessment and environmental data reliability.
Importance for Governance and Economy
Consumer Protection
- Legal metrology safeguards consumers against inaccurate billing, under-delivery of products, manipulated fuel dispensers and misleading packaging practices, thereby strengthening public trust in markets.
- Mandatory declarations on packaged commodities improve transparency and enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions based on standardised and verified information.
Industrial Competitiveness
- Precision measurement systems are essential for sectors such as electronics, aerospace, defence manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, where even minor inaccuracies can affect safety and quality standards.
- A strong metrology ecosystem enhances India’s integration into global value chains by ensuring compliance with international technical and industrial standards.
Digital Economy and Emerging Technologies
- Advanced digital systems such as AI, IoT, blockchain, autonomous systems and digital payments depend heavily on accurate time synchronisation and precision measurement infrastructure.
- Reliable measurement systems are therefore becoming foundational for India’s emerging digital economy, smart infrastructure and technology-driven governance architecture.
Challenges
- India still faces uneven implementation capacity across states due to shortages of trained personnel, outdated infrastructure and inconsistent enforcement mechanisms.
- Rapid technological advancement in areas such as AI, quantum systems and semiconductor manufacturing requires continuous updating of measurement standards and technical regulations.
- Small businesses and MSMEs may face compliance difficulties due to lack of awareness, technical expertise and financial capacity to meet evolving regulatory standards.
- Ensuring interoperability between state-level systems and maintaining uniform enforcement across India remains an ongoing governance challenge.
Way Forward
- India should strengthen metrology infrastructure through greater investment in calibration laboratories, digital verification systems and advanced scientific research facilities.
- Capacity building of Legal Metrology Officers and expansion of technical training programmes through institutions like IILM Ranchi should be prioritised.
- Integration of AI, blockchain and digital monitoring technologies can improve transparency, real-time verification and fraud detection in measurement systems.
- India should leverage its OIML certification authority to emerge as a global hub for measurement certification, calibration services and quality infrastructure exports.
- Consumer awareness campaigns regarding packaged commodity rights, verified instruments and complaint mechanisms should be expanded to improve accountability and public participation.
Constitutional and Governance Linkages
- Legal metrology relates to the constitutional principles of consumer welfare, fair trade and economic justice, embedded within the broader framework of a welfare-oriented state.
- It also supports Article 38 and Article 39 of the Directive Principles by promoting equitable economic systems, fair distribution and protection against exploitation.
Prelims Pointers
- World Metrology Day is observed annually on 20 May to commemorate the signing of the Metre Convention (1875).
- NPL functions as India’s National Measurement Institute.
- India became the 13th country globally authorised to issue OIML certificates in 2023.
- The Legal Metrology Act, 2009 came into force on 1 April 2011.
- One Nation, One Time aims to disseminate Indian Standard Time (IST) with microsecond-level accuracy.
