Chennai: Dr Meenakshi Ganesan, Scientist-G, assumed charge as the Deputy Director General (DDG) of the Southern Regional Office of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) here on Monday. She becomes the first woman to hold this position in the Southern Region.

The Southern Regional Office, headquartered in Chennai, oversees BIS operations in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, the Union Territory of Puducherry, and the island territories of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Goa.

Dr Ganesan, who joined BIS in 1992, brings over three decades of experience and has served in various capacities across New Delhi, Coimbatore, Kochi, Hyderabad, and Chennai. Prior to her new role, she headed the Southern Regional Laboratory in Chennai, where she played a key role in upgrading it to international standards.

Her appointment as DDG is seen as recognition of her leadership, technical expertise, and strategic contributions across multiple verticals within BIS.

BIS, the National Standards Body of India under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, is responsible for the formulation of Indian Standards.
It also operates certification and quality assurance schemes, including the ISI mark, hallmarking of gold and silver, management systems certification, and laboratory services to promote industry quality and protect consumer interests.