National Test House (NTH) and Standardization Testing & Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate sign MoU to integrate EMI/EMC testing for drone certification.

Key facts

• National Test House (NTH) and Standardization Testing & Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate – Electronics Regional Test Laboratory (North) [ERTL (North)] signed an MoU on 2 February 2026.
• The collaboration enables Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing of drones and their subsystems at ERTL (North).
• EMI/EMC testing addresses regulatory requirements under the Drone Rules, 2021 and the Certification Scheme for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CSUAS), 2022.
• ERTL (North) operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
• NTH is approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Quality Council of India (QCI) as a Certification Body (CB) / Authorised Testing Entity (ATE) under CSUAS.
• Testing will follow IEC 61000 / IS 14700 standards.
• Integrated certification pathway offers drone manufacturers, especially startups and MSMEs, government-backed testing without duplication of high-cost infrastructure.
• Drones certified through the collaboration will meet international benchmarks including IEC, ISO, MIL-STD, ASTM, and RTCA standards.
• Lower testing costs aim to accelerate innovation in agriculture, logistics, healthcare delivery, disaster management, infrastructure monitoring, and smart cities.
• National Test House (NTH), established in 1912, operates under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution.