With reference to 'Quality Council of India (QCI)', consider the following statements: 1. QCI was set up jointly by the Government of India and the Indian Industry. 2. Chairman of QCI is appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendations of the industry to the Government. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

Both statements hold, so the answer is C. QCI was set up in 1997 as a joint initiative of the Government of India and Indian industry, with CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM as its founding partners. That makes statement 1 correct. It is a non-profit, autonomous body, not a statutory one.

Statement 2 is also correct. QCI's own description says its Chairperson is appointed by the Prime Minister on the recommendation of industry to the Government. This mechanism reflects its industry-led character, and it is the point examiners test.

• Core concept: QCI is a public-private institution that works on quality infrastructure, including accreditation through NABL and NABCB and national quality awards. It sits within the wider quality ecosystem of BIS and the Ministry of Commerce.
• Mains angle: Quality infrastructure and standards for Make in India and export competitiveness, with the question of how far non-statutory bodies can be effective regulators.

Trap: Candidates treat QCI as a statutory body set up by an Act of Parliament, or confuse it with BIS, which is a statutory body under the BIS Act, 2016. Check the founding and appointment details separately.