A revolutionary change may be on the horizon for Indian footwear as the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) proposes a new indigenous shoe sizing system called ‘Bha’. Named after ‘Bharat’, signifying its Indian origin, Bha aims to address the discomfort and foot deformities often experienced due to the use of US or European sizing standards.
The impetus for this system came from a nationwide survey conducted between December 2021 and March 2022, analyzing over one lakh Indian feet utilizing advanced 3D foot scanning technology. The survey revealed a significant discrepancy between Indian foot morphology and existing sizing systems. Indian feet tend to be wider, especially for children and teenagers, leading to ill-fitting shoes and long-term foot problems.
Unlike the current US and European systems, which offer 10 and 7 sizes respectively, Bha proposes eight distinct sizes catering to various age groups and genders. These sizes will provide additional length and width for improved comfort. Initial trials focus on sizes III to VIII, targeting nearly 85% of the population.
The implementation of Bha could revolutionize the Indian footwear market by enhancing comfort, improving foot health, encouraging a wider variety of shoe styles, and streamlining manufacturing processes. By eliminating the need for half sizes and providing standardized sizing categories, Bha aims to reduce costs and improve efficiency for manufacturers.
While Bha is still in the proposal stage, it has garnered significant interest from the footwear industry. Departments recommend providing footwear manufactured according to Bha standards for trial, testing, and feedback. Bha is anticipated to be implemented around 2025, promising a brighter and more comfortable future for Indian feet.
To revamp the current sizing systems, BHA plans to introduce new footwear sizes. Departments recommend providing footwear manufactured according to BHA standards to users for trial, testing, and feedback. BHA is anticipated to be implemented around 2025