IFQM Calls for a National Quality Mission to Boost India's MSMEs
As the world observes International MSME Day on June 27, the Indian Foundation for Quality Management (IFQM) has urged the government to launch a National Quality Mission to integrate India's 7.47 crore Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) into global value chains. Despite contributing 31.1% of GDP, 35.4% of manufacturing output, and 48.58% of exports as per the Economic Survey 2025-26, India accounts for only 2.9% of global manufacturing gross value added and 1.8% of global merchandise exports as of 2024, highlighting a critical competitiveness gap.
IFQM's MSME Cluster Development Approach
Since its inception in 2023, IFQM has championed a National Quality Mission built on the MSME Cluster Development Approach, guided by the IFQM Business Excellence Model — "The India Way." The program begins with self-assessment and quality visits by IFQM counsellors, who co-create improvement roadmaps with sponsoring parent companies. Year one focuses on fundamentals such as Total Quality Management, Zero Defect Manufacturing, and Operational Excellence. Senior counsellors and subject matter experts conduct regular visits to guide MSMEs on their "Good to Great" journey.
Industry Collaborations and Early Results
Since January 2025, IFQM has launched clusters with major companies including ZF, Bosch, TVS Motors, Tata Steel, Lucas TVS, Padmini VNA, Sundaram Clayton, and the Coimbatore region. The first ZF cluster has completed its inaugural year, with suppliers reporting measurable gains in productivity, defect reduction, and operational discipline. IFQM describes this as a "Journey of Excellence" — moving beyond small-q quality to embrace holistic business excellence, or Big Q.
Soumitra Bhattacharya, CEO & Director of IFQM, emphasized: "India's economic momentum is undeniable, yet our global trade share remains below 2%. The missing link between growth and competitiveness is quality. Germany's Mittelstand demonstrates how MSMEs can anchor exports through precision, systems, and supply chain discipline. India's 7.47 crore MSMEs must embrace the same ethos. At IFQM, we are equipping leaders with actionable frameworks—daily work management, continuous improvement, and adherence to global benchmarks. India's opportunity will not arrive by default; it must be secured through rigor and excellence. Quality is the lever that will position India as a trusted global partner."
First MSME Symposium and Five Flagship Initiatives
Building on this foundation, IFQM convened its first MSME Symposium at Anna University, Chennai, on March 20, 2026. Industry leaders from Biocon, TVS, Boeing, Motherson, Maruti Suzuki, Cummins, L&T, Bosch, ZF, and Deloitte engaged MSME leaders on quality, competitiveness, and digital transformation. The symposium addressed India's growth-competitiveness paradox and presented actionable frameworks, global benchmarks, and transformation case studies.
Five flagship initiatives were unveiled to move MSMEs from aspiration to execution:
- Cluster Development Programme to benchmark MSMEs against world-class standards
- IFQM Quality Excellence Prize (QEP) — India's first industry-led excellence award designed for smaller enterprises
- Leadership Development Course through the IFQM Academy
- Zero Defect Manufacturing Course with SRM IST, Chennai, and CIT, Chennai
- Excellence in Manufacturing Engineering Course with VelTech University
About IFQM
The IFQM Governing Council includes prominent leaders: Mr. N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons; Mr. Dilip Sanghvi, Executive Chairman, Sun Pharmaceuticals; Dr. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Group; Mr. TV Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel Limited; Mr. K.N. Radhakrishnan, Director & CEO, TVS Motor Co; Dr. Randhir Thakur, CEO & MD, Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd; Mr. Salil Gupte, President, Boeing India & South Asia; Mr. SN Subrahmanyan, Chairman & MD, Larsen & Toubro; Mr. Venu Srinivasan, Chairman Emeritus, TVS Motor Co & Chairman, IFQM; and Mr. Vivek Chaand Sehgal, Chairman, Motherson Group.
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