New Delhi: India has taken a key step towards strengthening its internal security infrastructure with the introduction of its first standardised bomb disposal systems. The initiative comes with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) formulating uniform rules and performance benchmarks for equipment used in handling bomb threats and explosive-related emergencies.
The standards, issued under IS 19445:2025, establish clearly defined technical and safety requirements for bomb disposal equipment. These include devices such as bomb baskets, bomb blankets and bomb inhibitors, which are routinely used by security forces to reduce the impact of potential explosions and protect lives and infrastructure during emergency situations.
Officials said the new framework is aimed at ensuring consistent safety, reliability and effectiveness of bomb disposal systems across the country. Until now, the deployment of such equipment lacked a unified set of testing and certification norms, resulting in variations in quality and performance. The absence of standardisation was considered a critical gap in India’s security preparedness.
With the introduction of IS 19445:2025, bomb disposal equipment will now be subject to uniform evaluation standards. The guidelines lay down specific requirements related to testing procedures, material strength, environmental conditions and overall performance assessment. This allows for objective verification of how effectively the equipment performs under different operational scenarios.
According to officials, the standards have been developed by taking into account international best practices in bomb disposal and explosive safety. At the same time, they have been adapted to suit Indian operational requirements and conditions, ensuring their relevance for use by domestic security agencies.
The new benchmarks are expected to play an important role in improving confidence among armed forces, police units and civil agencies that deal with bomb threats and emergency response operations. By ensuring that equipment meets defined safety and performance criteria, the standards aim to reduce risks faced by personnel during high-pressure situations.
Officials also said that the move is likely to encourage quality-driven manufacturing within the country. With clear specifications in place, manufacturers will be able to design and produce bomb disposal systems that meet recognised national standards, promoting consistency and reliability in equipment supplied to security agencies.
The guidelines provide detailed directions on how bomb disposal systems should be tested and evaluated. These include checks for durability, resistance to explosive impact and performance under varying environmental conditions. Such structured testing is intended to ensure that equipment functions as expected during real-world emergencies.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said the standardisation of bomb disposal systems will significantly benefit armed forces, police organisations and civil authorities involved in counter-terrorism and emergency response. The ministry noted that uniform standards will enhance coordination and preparedness across different agencies handling explosive threats.
Officials said the introduction of the standards will strengthen India’s readiness in sensitive environments such as public places, conflict-prone areas and critical installations. By ensuring that bomb disposal equipment is reliable and properly certified, the initiative aims to improve overall public safety.
The development of IS 19445:2025 is seen as a step towards institutionalising best practices in explosive safety management. It reflects an effort to move away from ad-hoc procurement and deployment towards a more structured and regulated approach.
Authorities said the new standards address long-standing concerns regarding the lack of uniformity in bomb disposal equipment used across different regions and agencies. With clearly defined benchmarks now in place, equipment performance can be assessed more transparently and consistently.
The initiative underscores the importance of preparedness in dealing with bomb threats and emergency situations. By focusing on standardisation, testing and certification, the move is expected to enhance operational efficiency and reduce risks to both personnel and civilians.
With the introduction of India’s first standardised bomb disposal systems, officials said the country has taken an important step towards strengthening its internal security framework and improving response capabilities in high-risk scenarios.
