The ISI mark is the most visible indicator of BIS certification on a TMT bar — but it is also the easiest thing to fake. Counterfeit ISI stamps exist. Bundles labelled "Fe 550D" are sometimes neither 550D nor BIS certified. A stamp on a bundle tag costs nothing to print.
What cannot be faked is a valid entry in the Bureau of Indian Standards' own database. The BIS Care app gives any buyer — contractor, engineer, site manager, or homeowner — direct access to that database from their phone, at the point of purchase, in under a minute.
This guide walks through exactly how to use it, what to look for, and what the results mean.
What the BIS Care App Does
Quick answer: The BIS Care app is the official Bureau of Indian Standards mobile application. It lets you verify any manufacturer's ISI licence by entering their CM/L number. If the licence is active, you see the manufacturer's name, address, certification standard, validity date, and the exact product grades and sizes covered — all pulled directly from BIS records.
The app is free, available on both Android and iOS, and requires no login. The verification is live — it queries the BIS database in real time, so you are seeing the current status of the licence, not a cached or printable copy. Widely used by contractors and builders across Tamil Nadu and Kerala for on-site verification before purchase.
How to Verify BIS Certification of TMT Bars (Quick Steps)
- Open the BIS Care app on your phone (free on Android and iOS)
- Tap "Verify Licence Details" on the home screen
- Enter the CM/L number from the TMT bar bundle tag
- Check that the manufacturer name matches the brand you are buying
- Verify the IS standard, licence validity date, and that your grade and size are in the varieties covered
Step-by-Step: How to Verify a TMT Bar's BIS Licence
Download the BIS Care App
Search for "BIS Care" on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and install the official Bureau of Indian Standards app. It is free.
Once installed, open the app. You will see the home screen with a grid of verification options.
Tap "Verify Licence Details"
On the home screen, tap the first option in the grid: "Verify Licence Details." This is the section for verifying ISI-marked product licences, including TMT bars.
You will be taken to a search screen with a single input field labelled CM/L — the Certification Marks Licence number.
Enter the CM/L Number and Search
Type the CM/L number from the TMT bar bundle tag or packaging into the field and tap Search. The CM/L is a 7 or 10-digit numeric code.
For Tusker TMT 550D, enter 6900106309 (IS 1786:2008). The full list of Tusker TMT CML numbers is below.
How to Read the Results
A valid search returns a Licence Details panel. Here is what each field means and what to check:
- Name of Manufacturer — Must match the brand you are buying. For Tusker TMT, this will show "FERROSCO INDUSTRIES PRIVATE LIMITED" (the BIS database may display a legacy spelling variant — this is as recorded at the time of original registration and does not affect the licence's validity).
- Address of Manufacturer — Cross-check against the manufacturer's registered address. Tusker TMT is manufactured at NH-7, Palavoor Village, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.
- IS No — Confirms which BIS standard the licence covers. For Fe 550D structural TMT bars, this must be IS 1786:2008.
- Valid till — The licence expiry date. Do not accept steel from a licence that has expired. Tusker TMT's IS 1786:2008 licence is valid through April 2026.
- Varieties Covered — Lists the exact grades and diameter sizes certified. Confirm that the grade (Fe 550, Fe 550D) and the specific bar diameter you are purchasing are listed.
Important: The varieties covered field is the one most buyers skip — but it matters. A licence may cover Fe 500 but not Fe 550D. Or it may cover 8mm to 16mm but not 20mm or 25mm bars. Always confirm your specific grade and size is explicitly listed.
Tusker TMT 550D — CML Licence Numbers
Ferrosco Industries holds BIS certification across three IS standards. Use any of these numbers in the BIS Care app to verify:
| BIS Standard | What It Covers | CML Number |
|---|---|---|
| IS 1786:2008 | High strength deformed steel bars and wires for concrete reinforcement (Fe 500, Fe 550D) | 6900106309 |
| IS 15911 | Structural steel — micro-alloyed medium and high strength bars | 6400173406 |
| IS 14650:2023 | TMT bars — thermomechanically treated steel for structural use | 6900104709 |
All three can be verified on the BIS Care app or directly at bis.gov.in. The IS 1786:2008 licence (CML 6900106309) is the primary certification to check for structural TMT bar purchases.
Red Flags: What Should Concern You
- No result found — The CM/L number entered has no record in the BIS database. Either the number is wrong, never existed, or the licence was cancelled. Do not use the steel.
- Name of Manufacturer doesn't match — The licence belongs to a different company than the brand on the bundle. This is a serious mismatch requiring immediate clarification.
- Licence has expired — An expired BIS licence means the manufacturer is no longer under active BIS surveillance. The steel may still be structurally fine, but you have no current third-party verification.
- Your grade or size isn't in the varieties covered — A licence covering Fe 500 does not certify Fe 550D. A licence covering up to 16mm does not certify 20mm bars. Check the specific product you are actually buying.
- No CM/L number on the bundle — A legitimate BIS-certified product must have a traceable CM/L number. If the supplier cannot provide one, that is a significant red flag.
Can I Verify Without the App?
Yes. The same verification is available at bis.gov.in — search for "Verify Licence" in the portal. The BIS Care app is simply faster and works directly on your phone at the purchase site or on a construction site visit. For anyone who needs to verify BIS certification of TMT bars quickly — at a dealer's yard, on site, or before signing a purchase order — the app is the more practical tool.
For a broader guide to physically identifying genuine TMT bars — including what to look for in rib patterns, surface finish, bend tests, and heat numbers — see: How to Identify Genuine TMT Bars (The Complete Buyer's Guide).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BIS Care app?
It is the official Bureau of Indian Standards mobile app, available free on Android and iOS. It lets you verify ISI licences, check HUID for hallmarked gold, lodge complaints about non-conforming products, and access BIS standards information — all from your phone.
Where do I find the CM/L number on a TMT bar?
The CM/L number is printed on the bundle tag attached to every legitimately certified TMT bar bundle. It may also appear on the delivery challan or invoice. For Tusker TMT 550D (IS 1786:2008), the CML is 6900106309.
What if no result appears when I search?
No result means the CM/L number has no active record in BIS's database. The number may be incorrect, the licence may have been cancelled, or the brand may not be BIS certified. In any case, do not use that steel for structural construction without further verification from BIS directly.
What is Tusker TMT's BIS licence number?
Tusker TMT 550D (Ferrosco Industries Pvt Ltd) holds CML 6900106309 under IS 1786:2008 — the primary standard for Fe 550D reinforcement bars. Additional licences: IS 15911 (CML 6400173406) and IS 14650:2023 (CML 6900104709). Verify any of these on the BIS Care app.
Can I verify BIS certification without the app?
Yes — at bis.gov.in using the same CM/L number. The BIS Care app is simply faster and more practical for on-site verification. Both query the same live BIS database.
Related Articles
If a supplier cannot be verified in the BIS database, you are not buying certified steel — regardless of what is printed on the bundle.
Tusker TMT 550D — Verified. Every Batch.
BIS certified under IS 1786:2008 (CML 6900106309). Verify it yourself on the BIS Care app — right now, before you buy.
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