A pan-Indian survey on Indians’ foot sizes was recently carried out as part of a larger effort to create an Indian sizing system for footwear. The proposed ‘Bha’ (भ) sizing system seeks to replace the current US and UK/European sizing systems, potentially transforming the Indian footwear manufacturing sector. In order to accommodate the varied foot morphology of its populace, which deviates greatly from Western norms, India requires its own system for measuring shoes.
Because Indian feet are typically wider and have different growth patterns than those of the UK/European and US, the current reliance on these sizing systems frequently leads to footwear that is poorly fitting, especially for children and teenagers. The creation of a native sizing system such as Bha (भ) would guarantee that footwear is customized to meet the specific requirements of Indian customers, enhancing comfort, foot health, and general satisfaction. It would also support the expansion of the Indian footwear industry, streamline production procedures, cut waste, and be in line with India’s goal of innovation and independence.
The survey, conducted between December 2021 and March 2022, covered 1,01,880 individuals across 79 locations in five geographical zones. Utilizing 3D foot scanning machines, researchers sought to understand the size, dimensions, and structure of an average Indian foot. Contrary to initial hypotheses, the survey revealed that Indians generally have wider feet than Europeans or Americans. Consequently, due to the narrow footwear available under existing sizing systems, many Indians have been wearing shoes that are larger than necessary, leading to discomfort and potential health issues. The analysis also uncovered that Indian women’s foot size typically peaks at around 11 years of age, while for men, it peaks at approximately 15 or 16 years. Moreover, it was observed that a significant number of Indians, both men and women, were wearing ill-fitted and tight footwear, often resulting in injuries and compromised foot health, particularly among elderly women and diabetics. Historically, the British introduced UK sizing in India before independence, with an average Indian woman wearing sizes between 4 and 6, and men between 5 and 11. However, the absence of comprehensive data on Indian feet structure and dimensions has hindered the development of an indigenous sizing system until now.
Eight shoe sizes are recommended by the Bha system, ranging from newborns to adults. Initially, the majority of the population’s needs will be met by commercial manufacturing, which will concentrate on sizes III to VIII. Users and shoe manufacturers stand to gain a great deal from the adoption of Bha. Only eight sizes would need to be developed by manufacturers, doing away with the need for half-sizes and simplifying the production process.
Leading the survey was the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR–CLRI), which then forwarded its findings to the Union Ministry of Commerce’s Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). These recommendations have since been sent by the DPIIT to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for approval. When Bha is put into effect, which is anticipated to happen in 2025, it could completely transform the Indian footwear market by giving customers better-fitting shoes and improving comfort and foot health all around the country. Before widespread adoption, users will be given Bha-sized shoes for trial, testing, and feedback in order to ease the transition.
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