MoU Strengthens Drone Certification Ecosystem
The Memorandum of Understanding between NTH and STQC–ERTL (North), functioning under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, was signed on February 2, 2026. The agreement was formalised in the presence of senior officials including the Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, the Director General of NTH, and senior scientists from STQC and ERTL.
Under the collaboration, EMI, EMC, and immunity testing of drones and their subsystems will be conducted at ERTL (North) in accordance with internationally recognised IEC 61000 and IS 14700 standards. NTH will carry out the remaining mandatory tests at its own laboratories, with all reports seamlessly integrated into the Type Certification process.
Compliance with Drone Rules and Global Standards
The collaboration directly supports regulatory requirements under the Drone Rules, 2021 and the Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CSUAS), 2022. By strengthening domestic certification capabilities, the initiative ensures that drones certified in India meet global benchmarks such as IEC, ISO, MIL-STD, ASTM, and RTCA standards.
This enhanced compliance framework is expected to significantly improve international acceptance of Indian-certified drones, making them more competitive in global markets while reinforcing safety and reliability standards.
Cost-Effective Support for Startups and MSMEs
One of the key benefits of the NTH–STQC collaboration is the avoidance of duplication of high-cost infrastructure. By leveraging existing government facilities, the initiative offers world-class testing and certification services at substantially lower costs compared to private laboratories.
This cost advantage is particularly crucial for drone startups and micro, small, and medium enterprises, enabling them to innovate, test, and certify products faster without prohibitive expenses. The move is expected to accelerate adoption of drones across agriculture, logistics, healthcare, disaster management, infrastructure monitoring, and smart city applications.
NTH’s Expanding Role in Emerging Technologies
National Test House is approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the Quality Council of India as an Authorised Testing Entity under CSUAS. Established in 1912, NTH operates under the Department of Consumer Affairs and maintains a nationwide network of NABL-accredited laboratories.
With the addition of EMI and EMC testing through this collaboration, NTH further strengthens its role in ensuring safety, quality, and regulatory compliance for emerging technologies, particularly in the fast-evolving drone sector.
Building a Future-Ready Drone Ecosystem
Officials noted that the partnership represents an important milestone in building a robust, indigenous, and future-ready drone certification ecosystem. By ensuring transparent, credible, and government-backed certification pathways, the initiative supports innovation while maintaining high safety standards.
As India expands the use of drones across civilian and commercial sectors, such collaborative frameworks are expected to play a critical role in sustaining growth, enhancing trust, and positioning the country as a global leader in drone technology and certification.
