In a significant step toward enhancing India’s internal security infrastructure, the government has introduced a national standard for bomb disposal systems, marking a milestone in the country’s preparedness to counter evolving threats. The new benchmark, officially released as IS 19445:2025, was formulated under the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which operates under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution. It provides rigorous guidelines for the design, performance, and testing of explosive detection and defusal equipment used by law enforcement and anti-terror units across India.

The move comes in response to the growing need for indigenous standards tailored to India’s security environment, where conventional international standards often fall short of local operational requirements or are not fully accessible to Indian agencies. Officials say the initiative will ensure that security forces are equipped with reliable and standardized equipment, capable of responding effectively to bomb threats while minimizing risk to personnel and civilians.

Genesis of the Standard: Addressing Gaps in Security Equipment

Prior to the introduction of IS 19445:2025, bomb disposal units across India primarily relied on a combination of locally manufactured systems and imported equipment. While several public and private entities produced bomb disposal tools such as bomb blankets, baskets, and inhibitors, there was no unified benchmark to evaluate performance under realistic operational conditions. This lack of standardization created potential gaps in security, as equipment performance could vary significantly between manufacturers, and there was no systematic framework to assess blast resistance, splinter protection, or operational reliability.

A senior official from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs highlighted the limitations of existing international standards, explaining that while they provide guidance, they are often restricted in access or not fully aligned with India-specific threats, munitions, and operational conditions. “The threats faced by Indian forces—ranging from urban terrorism to insurgency in difficult terrains—demand equipment tailored to our context. IS 19445:2025 fills that critical gap,” the official said on condition of anonymity.

Scope and Provisions of IS 19445:2025

The newly released standard provides comprehensive guidelines for the performance evaluation of bomb disposal systems, particularly emphasizing resistance to blast loads and protection against shrapnel and splinter effects. It sets clear requirements for test equipment, range conditions, and evaluation procedures, thereby creating an objective and uniform method to assess the effectiveness of bomb disposal solutions.

Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare described the release of the standard as a “significant milestone in strengthening India’s internal security preparedness and safety infrastructure.” She added that the benchmark enables law enforcement and security agencies to source, procure, and deploy equipment with confidence, knowing that each system has undergone rigorous performance evaluation aligned with national requirements.

Collaborative Formulation Process

The development of IS 19445:2025 was undertaken through a consensus-based process under BIS’ Arms and Ammunition for Civilian Use Sectional Committee. A dedicated bomb disposal systems panel was constituted, bringing together stakeholders from multiple government and technical agencies. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) played a pivotal role in advising on technical specifications, test protocols, and performance parameters suitable for India’s operational landscape.

The Union Home Ministry and the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory also contributed to shaping the standard, ensuring that it meets practical field requirements while maintaining high safety margins. The collaboration of law enforcement agencies, defense research organizations, and standards experts underscores the multi-disciplinary approach taken to formulate a document that is both technically robust and operationally relevant.

Impact on Security Forces

The standard is expected to have a far-reaching impact on bomb squads and anti-terror units operating across India. Top anti-terror organizations such as the National Security Guard (NSG), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)—responsible for airport and critical infrastructure security—and state police bomb squads will now have access to validated equipment that adheres to a unified national benchmark.

According to officials, the standardization process will also improve interoperability and operational efficiency during joint operations, as all participating agencies will be using equipment that meets the same performance criteria. In addition, adherence to IS 19445:2025 is likely to streamline procurement procedures, reduce dependency on foreign systems, and encourage domestic manufacturers to upgrade technology and manufacturing practices to meet national security standards.

Technological Categories Covered

Bomb disposal systems typically include three primary categories:

1. Bomb blankets – used to cover and contain explosive devices, mitigating the effects of blasts.
2. Bomb baskets – designed to transport or isolate suspected explosives safely.
3. Inhibitors – specialized tools that neutralize or safely detonate explosive devices.

IS 19445:2025 provides detailed guidelines for each of these categories, ensuring that the equipment can withstand specific blast pressures and splinter impacts. The standard also specifies testing ranges and evaluation protocols, enabling law enforcement agencies to validate equipment performance under controlled conditions before deployment in real-world scenarios.

Promoting Indigenous Manufacturing

A notable aspect of the new standard is its potential to stimulate domestic manufacturing of bomb disposal systems. By providing clear technical benchmarks, it encourages Indian companies to develop advanced systems that meet operational and safety requirements. This aligns with broader government initiatives to enhance domestic defense and security capabilities while reducing reliance on imports for sensitive technologies.

Several public and private sector manufacturers in India have already begun upgrading their production lines and quality control mechanisms in line with the new standard. Experts believe that this will not only improve the reliability of equipment used by security forces but also position India as a potential exporter of high-quality bomb disposal technology in the future.

Strategic Importance Amid Rising Threats

The timing of IS 19445:2025 comes against a backdrop of emerging security threats and evolving urban terrorism scenarios. The Indian subcontinent has witnessed increasing incidents of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), urban bomb threats, and attacks on public spaces. Ensuring that law enforcement and anti-terror units have standardized, high-performance bomb disposal equipment is therefore critical to mitigating risks and protecting civilian lives.

By formalizing a national standard, the government has taken a proactive approach to operational readiness, enabling security forces to respond efficiently to bomb threats, plan countermeasures, and conduct post-blast investigations using reliable tools.

Looking Ahead

Officials indicate that the release of IS 19445:2025 is only the beginning of a broader effort to standardize security-related equipment in India. Future initiatives are expected to cover a wide range of tactical, surveillance, and counter-terror technologies, thereby strengthening India’s internal security ecosystem.

The standard also reflects India’s commitment to aligning technical expertise with national security needs, bridging gaps between research organizations, law enforcement agencies, and manufacturing sectors. By integrating scientific rigor with operational practicality, IS 19445:2025 establishes a benchmark for safety, reliability, and effectiveness that is tailored to India’s unique threat environment.

Conclusion

The introduction of IS 19445:2025 marks a historic moment for India’s internal security apparatus, providing standardized guidelines for bomb disposal systems for the first time. The benchmark addresses gaps in performance evaluation, ensures operational reliability, and promotes indigenous manufacturing of high-quality equipment. Security forces, from the NSG to state police bomb squads, are now better positioned to respond to threats efficiently and safely.

As India continues to confront evolving security challenges, the establishment of a national standard for bomb disposal systems underscores the government’s focus on preparedness, safety, and technological self-reliance—ensuring that law enforcement agencies are equipped to safeguard citizens effectively in the face of complex and dynamic threats.