Standardization of Weights and Measures has been universally recognized as one of the primary functions of Government. In ancient India the State exercised control over weights and measures. During British rule in 1870 a bill was passed making the metric system uniformly applicable all over the country. Then His Majesty’s Bombay mint was manufacturing standards of weights and measures and had supplied large number of different standards to various states Government. Later Bombay Weights and Measures Act 1932 came into usage. In 1939, a law was enacted to standardize weights through out the country in terms of the ‘seer’ of 80 tolas and the ‘pound’. But owing to weak and half hearted enforcement these have at best been partially successful in limited areas

After Independence in India, the responsibility for making and administering laws of weights and measures is shared by Union and State Legislatures. The Union Parliament lays down the standards of weights and measures. This ensures the weights and measures recognized by law are the same through out the country. The State Legislature makes law to enforce the weights and measures authorized by Parliament. In 1955 Parliament adopted resolution to standardize weights and measures in terms of the metric system. The Standards of Weights and Measures Bill received the Presidents assent in December; 1956.This Act defines primary units of mass, length, capacity, time electrical current, luminosity and temperature. By law the Central Government must acquire National Prototype standard and keep in their custody the same which is authenticated against the International Prototypes maintained by International Bureau of weights and measures. The significant progress in weights and measures was possible due to the endeavors of the Mumbai Mint.