IS 1293: the Indian Standard for plugs and socket-outlets, its amendments, BIS testing, costs and how it applies to imports

IS 1293 is the BIS specification for plugs and socket-outlets for household and similar purposes, rated up to and including 250 V and 16 A^[1]. It covers the familiar Indian round-pin plugs and the sockets they fit, in fixed and portable forms.

It matters to importers because it is compulsory. Under the Plugs and Socket-Outlets QCO 2021 (S.O. 2166(E), 7 June 2021), plugs and socket-outlets must conform to IS 1293 and carry the Standard Mark under a Scheme-I licence from 1 June 2022^[5], in practice the ISI mark.

Comploa does not reproduce the standard's text; buy it from BIS. This page covers its editions, amendments, scope, testing, costs and the products it reaches, from extension boards to smart plugs.

IS 1293 covers plugs and sockets only. Switches, switch-socket combinations, cables and appliances each have their own standard, and a combined product may need more than one licence.

Confirm the rating, the socket type, the edition and amendment, the licence scope, the marking and the factory. These six checks cover most rejections.

IS 1293:2019 with Amendment No. 2 applies. BIS published the 2019 edition on 26 July 2019^[2], and the 2005 edition stopped after 23 October 2023, with no further extension^[3].

Two older references still float around: the QCO text names IS 1293:2005 but says the latest version applies^[5], and BIS's Scheme-I list still labels the entry IS 1293:2005^[8]. Varieties covered by the 2005 edition but not the 2019 one could only be made up to 23 October 2023 and should no longer be with licensees, distributors or dealers^[3].

Amendment No. 2 added 6 A two-pin sockets to the standard's types and ratings and allowed HFFR cables to IS 17048 alongside IS 694 and IS 9968 (Part 1) cables; it had to be implemented by 26 September 2024^[4].

BIS revised the product manual as PM/IS 1293/3/May 2024. A licensee adds a new variety, such as a 6 A two-pin socket, through the inclusion procedure using that manual's grouping rules, and using IS 17048 cables needs no separate testing because those cables are themselves under mandatory certification^[6].

BIS extended the changeover three times. The first last date was 25 July 2020; it moved to 23 October 2021, then 23 October 2022 and finally 23 October 2023^[3].

The lesson for importers: a supplier's old 2005-edition report is now worthless, and some 2005-era varieties cannot be sold at all^[3]. When a supplier quotes "BIS approved since 2018", ask for the current licence scope, not the history.

Any plug or socket-outlet within 250 V and 16 A needs it, in any of the socket types the product manual lists: fixed, portable, multiple, combined and for appliances^[12].

Our product research reports that plastic plugs and sockets are usually declared under ITC(HS) 85366910^[15]. The QCO identifies goods by standard, so check the product, not just the code, with the HS code approval finder.

Their plug and multiple portable socket-outlets fall within IS 1293's licence scope, even though the Electrical Accessories QCO does not list extension boards^[12][9]. The product manual includes a mechanical strength test for multiple portable socket-outlets^[12].

Our product research rates it likely that the sockets in a spike guard need the ISI mark^[5]; ask BIS or your lab before importing. Wi-Fi models also need a WPC ETA, as our research reports^[16]. See WPC ETA and the electrical accessories QCO.

Not as a rule we can confirm. The appliance is certified to its own standard, and IS 302 (Part 1) has its own clauses on supply connection and external cords^[18]; see IS 302 (Part 1). Plug-in adapters for household appliances are a separate CRS category under IS 302 (Part 1)^[11], and phone chargers are licensed as power adaptors under IS/IEC 62368-1, as our product research reports^[17]; see mobile chargers and IS/IEC 62368-1.

Loose plugs, sockets and multi-socket boards sold on their own are different: they are IS 1293 products and need the ISI mark^[5]. If your product is a borderline combination, ask for a free compliance check.

BIS tests 10 socket-outlets and 15 plugs^[1] across marking, dimensions, shock protection, earthing, terminals, ageing and humidity, insulation and electric strength, temperature rise, breaking capacity, normal operation, withdrawal force, cord retention, mechanical strength including the tumbling barrel, heat resistance, creepage and clearances, glow-wire, tracking and rusting^[1].

For foreign factories, samples drawn by BIS are tested only in BIS or BIS-recognised labs in India at the applicant's cost^[19], and only reports to the Indian Standard count^[19]. An IEC 60884 or CB report does not replace them.

BIS's laboratory system lists IS 1293:2019 test charges from Rs 8,000 to Rs 42,620, excluding taxes^[7]. BIS's own Central, Eastern and Western Regional Laboratories also test it. Compare labs on BIS labs, Delhi NCR labs and Mumbai and Pune labs.

More than one, if they group well. The manual groups varieties by current and voltage rating, IP rating, earthing, cable connection, terminal type, mounting, socket type and shutters; at least one plug and one socket of each current rating must be tested, and a tested higher-rated, higher-IP, shuttered or sleeved-pin variety covers the simpler one^[1].

The licence records socket type, rated current and voltage, IP, earthing, rewirable or non-rewirable connection and terminal type^[1]. Adding a variety later costs Rs 5,000 per variety or group under FMCS^[20].

The practical rule: test the hardest variety in each current rating. A shuttered, sleeved-pin, higher-IP socket tested at the higher voltage covers simpler versions of the same rating^[1], so a factory that tests only its cheapest model ends up paying for more tests later when it adds the premium range.

Calibrated test equipment, records for every check and a traceability code on each product or package in addition to the IS 1293 marking^[1]. The manual has guidelines for factories that outsource moulded bodies and marks many periodic tests as ones that may be sub-contracted^[1].

Since 16 December 2025 BIS no longer requires an in-house lab; factories may use shared, cluster or sub-contracted BIS-recognised or ISO/IEC 17025 labs, and the manual's testing scheme is recommendatory^[21]. The flash test on every unit still has to happen on the line^[1].

IS 1293 uses Scheme-I, not the CRS used for electronics, and the factory holds the licence; a separate application is needed for each standard and each factory^[14].

• Indian factories apply on Manakonline^[14]. BIS's average grant time is about one month with a recognised-lab report and four months under the normal procedure^[14].
• Foreign factories apply under FMCS, online only since 1 June 2026, with an Authorised Indian Representative^[22]; BIS gives about six months as the average^[23].

See Manakonline, BIS FMCS and ISI documents.

Apply online on Manakonline, choosing the normal procedure (BIS draws samples after a visit) or the simplified procedure (you submit a recognised-lab report first)^[24]. The steps below follow BIS's user manual.

Usually plastic packaging EPR, and LMPC for retail packs; BEE does not apply. Smart versions add radio approval.

BIS keeps checking. It makes surprise factory visits and buys ISI-marked samples from the market for third-party testing^[14]. Foreign licensees also report production and dispatch monthly or quarterly^[31].

A licence may be granted for up to two years and renewed for up to five^[14], paying the licence fee and advance minimum marking fee for the period chosen^[32]. Miss the date and you cannot mark goods; after 90 days the licence expires^[33][13]. FMCS renewals also need an extended bank guarantee^[34]. Set a reminder with the licence renewal date tool and read ISI renewal.

Most holds come from a mismatch between the product and the licence scope, not from a missing licence.

BIS charges Rs 1,000 to apply, Rs 7,000 per man-day of inspection, Rs 1,000 a year as licence fee and the minimum marking fee for the standard^[14]. Marking fees are set per Indian Standard as an annual minimum plus unit rates^[35]; check the IS-wise list on Manakonline for IS 1293's current figure. Foreign factories also pay officer per-diem, travel, visa and insurance and a Rs 10,000 contingency payment^[20], and a USD 10,000 bank guarantee^[23]. See ISI mark fees and ISI licence costs.

These examples use BIS's published fees and listed lab charges and assume one inspection man-day for illustration; the marking fee is left out because we have not confirmed IS 1293's figure.

1. Indian maker, 6 A and 16 A sockets. Each current rating needs a tested plug and socket^[1]. Two test sets at Rs 12,000 each at National Test House^[7] = Rs 24,000, plus Rs 1,000 application, Rs 7,000 inspection and Rs 1,000 licence fee^[14] = Rs 33,000 before the marking fee and GST.

2. Foreign maker adding a 6 A two-pin socket after Amendment 2. The variety goes in by inclusion^[6] at Rs 5,000 per variety or group under FMCS^[20], plus the lab test.

3. Importer of spike guards. The factory needs a multiple portable socket-outlet in its scope^[12]; a licence for fixed wall sockets alone does not help. Price the whole job in the compliance cost estimator.

4. Marketplace seller of a branded spike guard. The seller does not need its own licence, but the factory's licence must name the plug and the multiple portable socket in its scope^[12], and the seller is still bound by section 17^[36]. Keep the licence, scope page and a photo of the marking in the listing file; our checklist before listing on Amazon covers the rest.

It breaches section 17 of the BIS Act^[36], with fines from Rs 2 lakh up to ten times the value of the goods, or imprisonment^[36]. Importers, distributors and sellers are all bound^[36]. See selling without BIS and why shipments get held, or ask for a free compliance check.

• The sample size and test list in the May 2024 manual; our figures come from the January 2021 manual^[6].
• IS 1293's current minimum marking fee^[35].
• A current licence count; the latest official figure we found is 489 in May 2024^[6].