USB-C accepted as the uniform charging port in India by all stakeholders: What this means for consumers

USB-C accepted as the uniform charging port in India by all stakeholders: What this means for consumers
HIGHLIGHTS

Stakeholders have agreed to use USB-C as the standard charging port for most commonly used electronic devices in the country.

The decision was made in an inter-ministerial task force held by the union government.

We will go through the benefits that the consumers are likely to get from this initiative.

In a central inter-ministerial task force meeting held yesterday, all the stakeholders including smartphone manufacturers have agreed to adopt USB-C as the uniform charging port. However, there’s a catch. It will be done in a phased manner. In any case, eventually, the market will have a standard charging port and it will be beneficial to the consumers. Let’s see how.

USB-C as the uniform charging port in India: What the stakeholders have to say?

USB-C

USB-C will be used as the charging port for electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc. The list of devices excludes wearables. A dedicated sub-group will be created to see if a uniform charging port makes sense for devices like smartwatches, fitness bands, etc. 

Even within the phones category, feature or basic phones may be assigned a different charging port. 

So, the new decision doesn’t cover all electronic devices. But, for what it’s worth, this is a move in the right direction. 

"Stakeholders agreed that a phased roll-out of the common charging port may be conducted so that the same can be applied by the industry and adopted by consumers harmoniously," remarks an official statement.

USB-C

"Industry should overcome inertia in adopting a uniform charging port in the interest of consumer welfare and prevention of avoidable e-waste," Consumer Affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh.

Now it’s about a time when we get to see USB-C on new smartphones, laptops, and tablets. We won’t have to bother with buying or carrying around different charger types. From an ecological standpoint, this could reduce e-waste and result in 'mindful and wasteful consumption' instead. 

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G. S. Vasan

G. S. Vasan

Vasan is a word weaver and tech junkie who is currently geeking out as a news writer at Digit. View Full Profile

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