Parliament Question: State Health Regulatory Excellence Index

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3547 TOBE ANSWERED ON13TH MARCH, 2026 STATE HEALTH REGULATORYEXCELLENCE INDEX 3547. SMT.SANJNAJATAV: SHRIPPCHAUDHARY: SHRIBHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: SHRIAMAR SHARADRAO KALE: SHRIMADHAVANENIRAGHUNANDAN RAO: Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a)the current status of rollout andimplementation of the State HealthRegulatory Excellence Index(SHRESTH)introducedbythe CentralDrugsStandardControlOrganisation(CDSCO), indicatingState/Union Territory-wiseprogress; (b) the details of the criteria, benchmarks and performance indicators prescribed under the Indexfor assessment of StateandUnion Territory drug regulatoryauthorities; (c) whether any deficiencies, operational issues or challenges have been observed during the initialphase of implementation; and (d) if so, the detailsthereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT.ANUPRIYAPATEL) (a)to(d): The State Health Regulatory Excellence Index (SHRESTH) has been operationalized and was launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on 12th August, 2025. States submit the data on predefined metrics to Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) which is collected by 25th of everymonth; scored and shared with allStates/UTs. SHRESTH Index is a virtual gap assessment tool designed to assist States/UTs to assess their current regulatory status. It provides a structured framework for evaluating key regulatory functions such as inspections, licensing, & product testing and encourage improved compliance and timely regulatory action through periodic scoring and benchmarking. *******