Explained: What is ＆Bha＊ - New Shoe Sizing System Proposed For Indians

Creating a sizing system for India was tough because there wasn't any information on the size and shape of people's feet in the country. Having our own sizing system will make sure that shoes sold in shops fit the specific needs of Indian buyers, making them more comfortable and satisfying.

It's also likely to make making shoes easier and help the Indian shoe industry grow.

New shoe sizing system proposed for Indians

As part of a bigger plan to create a sizing system for shoes in India, a nationwide survey on the sizes of people's feet was recently done. This new system, called 'Bha' (?), wants to replace the current UK/European and US sizing systems. It could change the way shoes are made in India.

Explained: What is ＆Bha＊ - New Shoe Sizing System Proposed For Indians | Shutterstock

What is 'Bha' New shoe sizing system proposed for Indians?

A nationwide survey on the sizes of Indian feet was recently conducted as part of a bigger project to create a sizing system for footwear in India. This system, likely to be named 'Bha' (?) to signify Bharat, could become the standard for making shoes in India. Once it's put into action, Bha will take over from the current UK/European and US sizing systems.

The survey aimed to determine the sizing needs of Indians, considering the diversity across ethnicities. Initially, it was believed that at least five different sizing systems would be necessary to accommodate various groups. There was a hypothesis that individuals from northeast India typically had smaller feet compared to the rest of the country.

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Between December 2021 and March 2022, the survey gathered data from 101,880 individuals in 79 locations spanning five geographical zones. Advanced 3D foot scanning machines were used to accurately measure the size, dimensions, and structure of the average Indian foot.

Explained: What is ＆Bha＊ - New Shoe Sizing System Proposed For Indians | Shutterstock

'Bha' Shoe sizing proposal

The new system proposes eight footwear sizes, which are as follows:

• I 每 For infants (0-1 year)
• II 每 Toddlers (1-3 years)
• III 每 Small children (4-6 years)
• IV 每 Children (7-11 years)
• V 每 Girls (12-13 years)
• VI 每 Boys (12-14 years)
• VII 每 Women (14 years and above)
• VIII 每 Men (15 years and above)

Initially, production will prioritize sizes III to VIII to meet the needs of the majority of people in India.

According to the survey, footwear made according to the 'Bha' system is expected to fit almost 85% of Indians correctly, providing them with better comfort.

What's the need for 'Bha'?

Experts argue that India requires its own shoe sizing system to cater to the varied foot shapes of its population, which differ from Western norms.

The UK sizing system was introduced in India by the British before independence. According to this system, the average Indian woman wears shoe sizes between 4 and 6, while for men, it ranges between 5 and 11.

What did the survey find?

The survey revealed that the average Indian woman's foot size stops growing around the age of 11, while for Indian men, it peaks at about 15 or 16 years old.

In general, Indian feet were found to be wider than those of Europeans or Americans. Because of the narrow shoes offered by the UK/European/US sizing systems, Indians often end up wearing shoes that are a size larger than necessary.

'Bha' implementation

CSIR每CLRI has submitted its report to the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) under the Ministry of Commerce. The Department will then forward it to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is the relevant authority responsible for implementing this sizing system.

It has been recommended to provide users with footwear produced according to the 'Bha' size system for trial and feedback. The new sizing system is anticipated to be put into effect in 2025.

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