-By Ankita Dutta
Summary
The Indian government plans to introduce its own standard size and measurement system for apparel and shoes. A comprehensive study by the National Institute of Fashion Technology collected body measurements from 25,000 individuals using a 3D body scanner. The implementation of these standards is expected to benefit the Indian fashion and manufacturing sectors and have broader implications across various industries. The Bureau of Indian Standards is also working on a similar system for shoe sizes.
The Indian government has announced that it will soon introduce its own standard size and measurements for apparel and shoes in the country. Piyush Goyal, the Union Minister of Textiles, stated that the standardization process has been ongoing for the last few years and will be implemented in the near future.
Goyal highlighted the need for India to have its own size standards in order to cater to the unique body shapes and manufacturing standards in the country. The National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) conducted a comprehensive study to address this concern, which included research during the Covid-19 pandemic.
NIFT recently presented its findings, with Goyal praising the institute’s commendable work. The research involved conducting a study across all Indian states and focused on developing an India Size Chart for ready-to-wear garments. The study utilized a 3D body scanner to collect body measurements from 25,000 individuals in Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Shillong.
One of the key motivations behind this study is the recognition that Indian sizes are often smaller compared to the standard UK or US sizing system. Ministry officials note that Indian waist sizes, in particular, tend to be smaller than those of Western counterparts. As a result, the Indian apparel industry currently relies on the British size system, using terms like “small,” “medium,” and “large,” or “Euro 6,” “Euro 7,” and “Euro 8” sizes.
The implications of the NIFT study go beyond the apparel industry. The institute believes that the standardized garment size charts developed through this research will have wider ramifications across various sectors such as automotive, aerospace, fitness and sports, art, and computer gaming. The insights gained from this data can inform the design of ergonomically tailored products that suit the Indian population.
In parallel to the work of NIFT, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has been working on a similar system for shoe sizes. The BIS, along with the Chennai-based Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), conducted a study among 100,000 individuals to develop a standard size system for shoes. A section committee of the BIS has been actively involved in this process.
The introduction of India’s own standard size and measurement system for apparel and shoes is seen as a significant step towards addressing the needs of the Indian population and enhancing the country’s manufacturing standards. It will not only enable better-fitting garments and shoes for consumers but also have broader implications for other industries that rely on ergonomics and anthropometric data. The implementation of these standards is eagerly awaited and will likely have a positive impact on the Indian fashion and manufacturing sectors.
