Question 45 from UPSC CSE 2017 - Current
Affairs

Question

With reference to the 'Quality Council of India (QCI)', consider the following statements:
1. QCI was set up jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry.
2. Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendations of the industry to the Government.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. Both 1 and 2

Strategy: Confirm Statement 1 as correct based on QCI's establishment as a government and industry partnership. Confirm Statement 2 as correct based on the Prime Minister's appointment of the Chairman from industry recommendations. Conclude that both statements are correct.

Key Info: ## Establishment and Purpose

The Quality Council of India (QCI) is an autonomous body established in 1997 as a partnership between the Government of India and the Indian industry. Its primary aims are:

- To establish and operate national accreditation structures.
- To improve quality standards across sectors.
- To promote a culture of quality.

The initiative for QCI's creation came from the Expert Mission of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with industry associations such as ASSOCHAM, CII, and FICCI. While QCI operates independently, it is supported by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

## Governance and Operations

The Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister of India based on recommendations from the industry, reflecting its unique public-private partnership structure. The Council's Governing Body includes representatives from the government, industry, and other stakeholders to ensure inclusive leadership.

QCI's work includes:

- Accreditation through bodies like the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL).
- Promoting quality assurance in fields such as education, healthcare, and manufacturing.

This model has been crucial in raising quality benchmarks in both the public and private sectors in India.

Answer

Option A: 1 only

Answer

Option B: 2 only

Answer

Option D: Neither 1 nor 2