GeM Registration for Manufacturers of Biometric Devices

Biometric techniques have been trending in India from the past few years. Currently, we all are familiar with the various security detection systems such as fingerprint scanning; face recognition, voice recognition, iris scanning, etc. All these have become an important part of our daily lives. Right from the corporate sector to the retail, warehousing, banking, and insurance sector, the Biometric devices have become the most in-thing in the world of data dynamics. The Indian government employs advanced Biometric techniques in various applications such as Aadhar enrolment and Passport Application. The government departments source such hi-tech Biometric devices from the certified manufacturers on the advanced e-commerce portal known as Government e-Marketplace.

The manufacturers of Biometric devices such as fingerprint scanner and iris camera etc. need to have a GeM registration in order to sell their product on the Government e-Marketplace.

1. A brief introduction to the Biometric techniques

Biometrics is basically a process by which a person's unique physical and other key attributes can be easily recorded through an electronic device so as to affirm his identity. There are some physical traits that are unique in every other individual such as fingerprints, iris, face, voice, etc. The Biometric devices detect, scan and record such character traits and confirm the identity of the individual.

2. An overview of Biometric devices in India

The Indian market for the Biometric devices has now reached to the tune of US$ 1.7 Billion. The market for biometrics in India has witnessed tremendous growth since the past few years. This actually owes to the increasing participation from both governments as well as private sectors. Some of the other factors of the Indian biometrics market include the rising number of advanced mobile phone users, improving internet connectivity, rising security concerns, etc.

It is expected that the biometrics market of India is going to develop at a CAGR of about 15% during the period of 2019-2024. During this time, it is predicted to reach a gigantic value of US$ 3.8 Billion.

Biometric devices are increasingly used in retail chains, where the consumers are identified through various biometric means, such as their fingerprint, facial, and voice audio tracing. The best example is the payment gateways like Paytm or PhonePe, where the fingerprint and/or face is traced for making fast digital payments. Moreover, the consumers are themselves carrying such Biometric devices inside their smartphones!

3. Importance of Biometric devices in government departments

The Indian government has likewise analyzed the significance of advanced tracking mechanisms for efficient e-Governance.

• Hence, biometric technologies are being increasingly utilized for identification and verification of the individuals in various kinds of online applications, for instance, UIDAI (Aadhar) Enrolment, E-Passport application, RSBY (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojna) Registration, applying for Driving License, GST registration, PAN registration, etc.
• For all such e-Governance procedures, the respective government departments require the biometric devices, which they source from the certified manufacturers on Government e-Marketplace who have GeM registration.
• However, the manufacturers of the biometric devices need to conform to certain requirements for obtaining GeM registration as an OEM. One such mandatory requirement is STQC certification.

Let’s now understand the importance of STQC certification for the manufacturers and dealers of the biometric devices.

4. Role of STQC certification in biometric devices

STQC is an abbreviation for Standardization Testing and Quality Certification (STQC). The Directorate for STQC comes under the Ministry of Electronics & IT, Government of India. This is responsible for the Quality Assurance (QA) services in the field of Electronics, IT and e-Governance through laboratories and research centers throughout India. The biometric devices such as fingerprint scanners are required to go through the QA process from STQC, which includes testing, calibration, and training in order to confer the Certification to the private companies that manufacture such devices.

5. The benefit of STQC certification in biometric devices

The main objective behind STQC certification is to provide assurance that the biometric devices are accurate, reliable, precise, safe & secure and fulfill the specifications. STQC scheme covers the fingerprint scanners, Iris cameras for enrolment and authentication devices.

The suppliers of the biometric device are certified on the following criteria:

• The Biometric Devices designed, manufactured and delivered as per the technical requirements of UIDAI. Final test reports and release notes of such devices are also accessible on demand.
• There must be adequate systems and resources to help the utilization of such devices by enrolment agencies. This also includes training of the enrolment process to the agency personnel, adjustment and maintenance of devices.
• The manufacturing company of such devices must be having established Quality Management System (QMS). Hence, it is important to obtain appropriate ISO certification for such a company.
• The dealers must have a system to provide assurance in the delivery as well as maintenance of such devices.

So we can see that the STQC certification is an essential requirement for all the suppliers of biometric devices having GeM registration in order to get listed on the Government e-Marketplace, and for successful vendor assessment on GeM.

These are the necessary conditions to be fulfilled by the suppliers of biometric devices to sell their products on the Government e-Marketplace.

If you need any kind of assistance with regard to the GeM registration, please feel free to contact our business advisors at 8881-069-069.

Download E-Startup Mobile App and Never miss the latest updates relating to your business.

Give a Reply

Submit