Mumbai: Dr. Pritesh M. Shah, Ph.D., Chairman of PRIMA Group and Founder of PRIMA Equipment, has been nominated for the India Republic Times – Leadership Conclave Mumbai 2026’s Bharat Shreshtha Ratna Sanman (BSRS). The nomination recognises his contribution to indigenous environmental technology, engineering innovation and the development of advanced pollution, safety and emission monitoring solutions in India.
Dr. Shah’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1992, when he established PRIMA Equipment with an initial investment of just ₹140. After gaining professional experience in the sales of measurement instruments, gas detectors and weather monitoring systems, he identified the need for affordable and reliable environmental monitoring solutions suited to Indian industrial conditions. What began as a small business gradually developed into a technology-driven organisation focused on research, design and manufacturing.
A defining aspect of Dr. Shah’s work has been his commitment to developing indigenous technologies and reducing dependence on imported environmental monitoring equipment. Under his leadership, PRIMA developed Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) in 1998 and continued to expand its expertise in ambient air quality monitoring, dust and particulate measurement, gas analysis, industrial safety and IoT-enabled monitoring solutions.
One of the major milestones in his professional journey has been the development of India’s first and only indigenously manufactured MCERTS-certified Continuous Emission Monitoring System. The certification, granted by CSA Group Testing UK Ltd., covers the integrated CEMS system rather than only the gas analyser. This approach considers the complete monitoring process, including sampling probes, heated sample lines, gas conditioning, analysers, data acquisition and software configuration. It reflects Dr. Shah’s focus on measurement reliability and the importance of evaluating monitoring equipment as a complete system.
Another significant contribution has been his role in mentoring and supporting the development of advanced testing and calibration infrastructure for Automated Measuring Systems (AMS) in Asia. This testing and calibration facility, accredited under ISO/IEC 17025, supports the validation and performance assessment of environmental monitoring technologies under EN 14181, EN 15267-3, and US EPA’s RATA standards. These capabilities contribute to improving measurement reliability and strengthening technical standards in the environmental monitoring sector.
Today, PRIMA Equipment operates with a team of more than 90 professionals and has supported over 6,400 projects, with a presence across Indian states and international markets. Its integrated operations include research and development, manufacturing, application support, assembly and calibration. The organisation’s work covers industries such as power, cement, steel, chemicals and petrochemicals, where accurate emission monitoring is an important part of environmental compliance.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Dr. Shah is actively involved in technical knowledge sharing and professional development. He has participated as a speaker at national and international conferences across India, Europe and Asia, sharing his expertise in precision emission monitoring, calibration, environmental compliance and sustainability. He also mentors and trains young people through JCI and Rotary International and founded the Kalabharti Charitable Foundation, which focuses on education, entrepreneurship and the environment.
His contributions have received recognition from several professional and industry organisations, including the Times Group, SKOCH Group and international environmental technology forums. In 2025, PRIMA achieved MCERTS certification for its indigenous CEMS, while Dr. Shah continued to represent Indian environmental engineering at international conferences and technical platforms.
The nomination for the Bharat Shreshtha Ratna Sanman 2026 at the India Republic Times – Leadership Conclave Mumbai 2026 brings attention to Dr. Shah’s work in advancing indigenous engineering and environmental responsibility. His guiding philosophy, “If you can visualise it, you can actualise it,” reflects his belief in converting technical ideas into practical solutions that serve industry and society.
For Dr. Shah, environmental protection begins with accurate measurement, reliable technology and responsible action. Through PRIMA Group, he continues to pursue his vision of making India a global contributor to environmental monitoring technology, guided by the principle of “Reliability to Sustainability™.”
The Bharat Shreshtha Ratna Sanman 2026 nomination marks an important milestone in his journey as an entrepreneur, technologist and mentor, highlighting his continued commitment to innovation, indigenous manufacturing and a cleaner, more sustainable future.
