Scheme for Reimbursement of Testing and Certification Charges for Start-ups and Telecom MSEs

Scheme for Reimbursement of Testing and Certification Charges for Start-ups and Telecom MSEs gives financial support to Start-ups and Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) by paying back a part of their testing and certification costs for telecom equipment. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and Department of Telecommunications (DoT) run this scheme together to help domestic telecom products compete better in Indian and export markets.

Testing and certification are key for telecom products to be accepted at national and international level. Since the scheme was launched, DoT has released updated implementation guidelines for 2026 and the online application portal is open for claims. Eligible companies can apply through the official portal and get reimbursement of up to 75 percent of their charges.

Scheme for Reimbursement of Testing and Certification Charges for Start-ups and Telecom MSEs - Introduction

Department of Telecommunications launched this scheme to reimburse a part of the testing and certification charges paid by Start-ups and telecom MSEs. The support covers testing done at Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) or National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) designated labs. If no such facility exists for a specific test, testing at NABL-accredited laboratories is also eligible for reimbursement.

The scheme is funded from Digital Bharat Nidhi with an initial allocation of ₹25 crore. It stays operational for two years from the date of implementation or until the allocated funds are fully used, whichever happens first.

Objectives

The scheme has been set up with two clear goals in mind.

• To reimburse a part of the testing and certification charges for Start-ups and MSEs in the field of telecom and ICT under the mandatory or voluntary testing certification scheme.
• To improve the competitiveness of Start-ups and MSEs in both domestic and export markets by creating a supportive ecosystem for telecom product development.

Key Information

Benefits

Reimbursement is given based on the type of entity applying. The percentage of charges paid back depends on the category of the applicant.

• Start-ups: Up to 75 percent of testing and certification charges.
• Micro Enterprises: Up to 60 percent of charges.
• Small Enterprises: Up to 50 percent of charges.

The maximum reimbursement for any Start-up or MSE is capped at ₹50,00,000 (₹50 lakh) for the whole scheme duration. Reimbursement applies to Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) or approved voluntary certification. Claims must be submitted within 3 months of the issue of the product certificate by TEC. Applications sent through the portal on or before the 20th of the last month in a quarter are considered for reimbursement.

Eligibility

Companies need to meet a few basic conditions to apply for reimbursement under this scheme.

• The applicant must be a Start-up with valid registration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in the Start-up category.
• The applicant must be a Micro or Small Enterprise with valid registration with the Ministry of MSME.
• The entity must be incorporated in Indian territory.
• Annual revenue must not have crossed ₹5 crore in any financial year since incorporation.
• The Start-up must not have raised funds of more than ₹10 crore.

Exclusions

Testing charges related to internal product research and development (R&D) are not eligible for reimbursement. Applicants also cannot claim reimbursement if they have already received funding for the same testing and certification costs from any other government scheme.

Application Process

Applications for reimbursement are submitted online through the official portal. The steps are simple and explained below.

STEP 1 - Visit the official application portal at tecrs.tcoe.in and download the application sample format to check all the points before filling the form.

STEP 2 - Register and fill the online application form, then upload all required documents including proof of registration, audited financial statements, test reports, invoices and payment receipts.

STEP 3 - The application is screened by the Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCOE) for completeness and then forwarded to the Technical Evaluation Committee for detailed evaluation.

STEP 4 - After approval by the competent authority, funds are released to the TCOE, which pays the reimbursement to the applicant within 7 days of receiving the disbursement from Digital Bharat Nidhi.

Documents

Applicants must keep the following documents ready while applying online.

1. Certificate of Incorporation.
2. Annual Audited Financial Statements since incorporation.
3. DPIIT Registration or Udyam Registration Certificate, as the case may be.
4. Lab Designation (TEC/NCCS) or NABL Accreditation Certificate.
5. Test reports and product certificate (MTCTE or Voluntary Certification).
6. Invoice or receipt issued by TEC/NCCS designated labs or NABL accredited labs.
7. Payment receipt of certification fees paid to TEC or Certification Body.
8. Undertaking that annual revenue has not crossed ₹5 crore and funds raised are below ₹10 crore.
9. Bank account details along with a copy of a cancelled cheque.
10. Self-declaration confirming no duplicate reimbursement from any other scheme.
11. PAN card.

References

• Official Scheme Implementation Guidelines 2026
• DoT Scheme Details

FAQ's

What is the primary goal of the scheme?

The goal is to reduce the money burden on Start-ups and MSEs by paying back a part of their testing and certification costs so that telecom products become more competitive in domestic and export markets.

What is the financial cap?

Applicants can receive a maximum reimbursement of ₹50 lakh throughout the scheme period.

Are there location restrictions for the testing labs?

Testing must be done at TEC/NCCS designated labs or at NABL accredited labs if no TEC designated body is available for a particular test.

How soon must I apply after obtaining a certificate?

Claims must be submitted within 3 months from the date of issue of the product certificate by TEC. Applications sent on or before the 20th of the last month in a quarter are considered.

How can I contact the scheme office?

Applicants can call 011-26598627 or write to tecrs@tcoe.in for help with the application process.