Report of NEQAP--the ten years growth success

External quality assessment forms a vital aspect of health laboratory service. Decisionto start National External quality assessment Programme (NEQAP) under IAPM was taken at the Annual conference at Bombay in December, 1989 to be run from Varanasi at the initiative of the author. It has been running now for more than ten years and is unique in that it does not have financial backing from government or any institution and runs by contributions from participants and help from IAPM from time to time. Another unique feature is that it is truly multiparametric including clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology and cytology. It covers about 300 labs from all corners of India. Details of the IAPM-NEQAP programme made during successful running for ten years (1990-1999) and recommendations for further action are given.