Date: 2026-06-19Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi inaugurates new testing facilities and lays the foundation stone for the expansion of National Test House infrastructure in Mumbai
**Executive Summary**
On 19 June 2026, Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi inaugurated new testing facilities and laid the foundation stone for the expansion of the National Test House (NTH) in Mumbai. The initiative aims to strengthen India's quality assurance ecosystem, enhance industrial competitiveness, and support the "Atmanirbhar Bharat" vision. Key outcomes include the launch of specialized laboratories across different regions to facilitate ease of doing business and safeguard consumer interests.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Infrastructure Expansion**
* Laying of the foundation stone for the future expansion of testing infrastructure at the NTH Western Region campus in Mumbai.
* Commencement of modernization initiatives to review and upgrade existing laboratory capabilities.
* **Inauguration of New Facilities**
* **Microbiological Testing Laboratory:** Established at NTH, Mumbai, to expand technical testing services.
* **Shoe Testing Facility:** Launched at NTH Northern Region in Ghaziabad.
* **NTH-AURIC Satellite Centre:** Established at NICDC, AURIC City, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, to bring testing services closer to industrial hubs.
* **Strategic Objectives**
* **Quality Assurance:** Strengthening the national ecosystem to ensure product reliability and compliance with national and international standards.
* **Economic Impact:** Enhancing the global competitiveness of Indian products and facilitating a smoother environment for trade and industry.
* **Consumer Protection:** Prioritizing consumer safety and welfare through robust certification and testing processes.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Industry and Manufacturers**
**Impact**
Businesses gain better access to advanced testing facilities, which enhances product reliability and global competitiveness while facilitating the ease of doing business.
**Action Required**
Utilize the newly inaugurated facilities to ensure products meet stringent quality standards and regulatory requirements.
**Stakeholder: Consumers**
**Impact**
Consumer interests are better protected through a more robust testing and certification infrastructure, ensuring higher safety and quality standards for products in the market.
**Action Required**
No direct action is required; consumers benefit from the strengthened regulatory and testing framework.
**Stakeholder: National Test House (NTH) and Department of Consumer Affairs**
**Impact**
The organization sees a significant augmentation in its testing capacity across critical sectors and a modernized strategic roadmap for future growth.
**Action Required**
Implement the expansion plans and manage the new facilities to provide trusted, scientifically benchmarked testing services.
**Stakeholder: Emerging Industrial Sectors (e.g., AURIC City)**
**Impact**
Localized access to testing through satellite centres reduces the logistical burden on industries in these emerging regions.
**Action Required**
Engage with NTH satellite centres for localized quality assurance and technical expertise.
Key Entities Referenced
National Test House (NTH): A premier scientific organization under the Department of Consumer Affairs providing testing, evaluation, and quality assurance services for industrial and consumer products.
Shri Pralhad Joshi: Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution who inaugurated the new testing facilities and laid the foundation for infrastructure expansion.
Department of Consumer Affairs: The primary government department responsible for strengthening the nation's quality infrastructure and consumer protection ecosystem.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: A national initiative for a self-reliant India, supported by this policy's objective to enhance the global competitiveness of Indian products.
Mumbai, Ghaziabad, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Primary locations central to the applicability of the infrastructure expansion, including the site of the new microbiological laboratory and satellite centers.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi inaugurates
new testing facilities and lays the foundation
stone for the expansion of National Test House
infrastructure in Mumbai
New testing facilities to bolster India's quality assurance
ecosystem and enhance industrial competitiveness
प्रव तथ: 19 JUN 2026 6:03PM by PIB Mumbai
: Mumbai, 19 June 2026
National Test House (NTH), under the Department of Consumer Affairs, Government
of India, today marked a significant milestone in strengthening the nation's quality
assurance and testing infrastructure with the visit of Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union
Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and New & Renewable
Energy, to the NTH Western Region campus at Mumbai.
The programme commenced with the Minister's arrival at NTH Mumbai, followed by
the Bhoomi Pujan and laying of the foundation stone for future expansion of testing
infrastructure. The initiative reflects the Government's continued commitment to
developing world-class quality infrastructure to support industry, trade and
consumer welfare.In his inaugural address, Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi emphasized that robust
testing and certification infrastructure plays a vital role in protecting consumer
interests, enhancing product reliability and facilitating ease of doing business. He
noted that strengthening the country's quality ecosystem is essential for improving
the global competitiveness of Indian products and advancing the vision of
Atmanirbhar Bharat.The Minister appreciated the efforts of the Department of Consumer Affairs and
National Test House in expanding advanced testing facilities across different regions
of the country and bringing testing services closer to industry and consumers. He
subsequently visited the NTH Mumbai laboratories and engaged with scientists,
technical experts, and officials to review the institution's testing capabilities and
ongoing modernization initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Member of Parliament from Mumbai North West, Shri
Ravindra Waikar, highlighted the importance of robust quality infrastructure in
promoting industrial development and consumer welfare, and appreciated the
efforts of the Department of Consumer Affairs and National Test House in
strengthening the country's testing ecosystem and extending quality assurance
services to emerging sectors.
During the event, Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the following
facilities:
• Microbiological Testing Laboratory at National Test House, Mumbai;
• Shoe Testing Facility at National Test House (Northern Region), Ghaziabad; and
• NTH-AURIC Satellite Centre at NICDC, AURIC City, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar,
Maharashtra.
The event was attended by senior leadership of the Department of Consumer
Affairs. Smt. Nidhi Khare, Secretary, Department of Consumer Affairs, and Smt.
Richa Misra, Additional Secretary (Consumer Affairs), both underscored the pivotal
role that NTH plays in ensuring product quality, safeguarding consumer interests,
and enhancing industrial competitiveness. Dr. Alok Kumar Srivastava, Director
General, National Test House, presented a comprehensive overview of NTH’s
expanding capabilities, ongoing initiatives, and strategic roadmap for the future.The newly inaugurated facilities are expected to significantly augment testing
capacity in critical sectors, promote compliance with national and international
standards, and support the objectives of consumer safety, quality assurance and
industrial competitiveness.
Building on more than a century of excellence, National Test House remains at the
forefront of India’s quality infrastructure, providing trusted, scientific, and globally
benchmarked testing services that empower industry, safeguard consumers, and
support national development. The event marked a significant step towards
strengthening India's quality assurance, product testing and consumer protection
ecosystem under the Department of Consumer Affairs.
***
Jaydevi Pujari Swami/ Edgar Coelho/Parshuram Kor
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