DoT to partially cover testing and certification expenses for start-ups and MSMEs

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced at the India Mobile Congress theme launch event on Thursday that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will reimburse part of the testing and certification costs for start-ups and small and micro enterprises in the telecom sector.

The scheme will cover 75% of costs for start-ups, 60% for micro enterprises, and 50% for small enterprises. A total of ₹25 crore has been allocated for this initiative, with each start-up or MSE eligible for up to ₹50 lakh. Applications can be submitted online.

"A child in its infancy needs all the support it can get. In the start-up environment, where every cent and every paisa counts, the government is committed to supporting our MSMEs and start-ups. We will not only assist them through the certification process but also provide financial backing," Scindia said while announcing the scheme. He also emphasized the critical importance of cybersecurity in a world where wars are now "fought in clouds."

Following the launch, Scindia mentioned that the DoT has established a project management unit with representatives from BSNL, TCS, Tejas, and C-DoT to oversee the 4G rollout in BSNL. He noted that both he and telecom secretary Neeraj Mittal monitor the progress daily.