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

Description
The scheme “Scheme for Reimbursement of Testing and Certification Charges for Start-ups and Telecom MSEs” has been launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in coordination with the Department of Telecommunications DoT , Government of India. It aims Testing and certification of telecom equipment are key enablers for Start-ups and Telecom MSEs, to ensure acceptance at both national and international deployment. Certificated products/solutions build consumer confidence and drive business growth, fostering adoption in domestic and global markets. To support start-ups and Micro & Small Enterprises MSE’s , the competent authority has decided to reimburse testing and certification charges for Start-ups and MSEs in respect of testing and certification in the field of telecom under the mandatory/voluntary testing certification scheme. Through this Scheme Department of Telecommunication DoT will reimburse a part of testing charges incurred by Start-ups & MSE’s at Telecommunication Engineering Centre TEC designated/ recognized labs or at NABL accredited Lab s in case there is no TEC designated Conformity Assessment Body CAB for a particular test facility and certification charges under mandatory/voluntary testing certification scheme. Objectives: - To reimburse a part of the testing and certification charges for Start-ups and MSEs in the field of telecom/ICT incurred by them at Telecommunication Engineering Centre TEC / National Centre for Communication Security NCCS designated/ recognized labs or at NABL accredited Lab s in case there is no TEC designated CAB for a particular test facility under mandatory/voluntary testing certification scheme. - To increase the competence of Start-ups/ MSE’s and create a conducive ecosystem in Telecom product development, thereby promoting their competitiveness in the domestic and export markets. Duration of the Scheme: - In order to catalyse the ecosystem, this scheme will be operational for a period of two years from the date of implementation or until the allocated funds of ₹25,00,00,000/- are fully utilised, whichever occurs earlier.

Exclusions
• The applicant will not be eligible for reimbursement of testing related to product research and development (R&D).
• The applicant should not have received reimbursement for the same testing/certification from any other government scheme.

Benefits
• The reimbursement of testing and certification charges will be provided as follows:
• The reimbursement is applicable for testing conducted at:
• The maximum reimbursement is capped at ₹50,00,000/- per applicant during the scheme duration.
• The product certificate (MTCTE/Voluntary Certification) must be issued after the scheme implementation guidelines or the notified date.
• The reimbursement claim must be submitted within 3 months from the date of issue of the product certificate by TEC.
• Reimbursement is applicable only for testing and certification related to Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) or voluntary certification.
• Reimbursement will not be provided for control tests related to product research and development (R&D).

Eligibility Criteria
1. The applicant should be a Start-up registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India.
2. The applicant should be a Micro or Small Enterprise registered under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
3. The applicant should be incorporated within Indian territory.
4. The applicant’s annual revenue should not exceed ₹5,00,00,000/- in any financial year since incorporation.
5. The applicant (Start-up) should not have raised funds exceeding ₹10,00,00,000/-.
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Application Process
Step 1: Step 1: Application for the reimbursement of testing and certification charges can be submitted through the online portal https://tec.gov.in/tcrs.
Online
Step 1: Application for the reimbursement of testing and certification charges can be submitted through the online portal https://tec.gov.in/tcrs.

Step 2: Step 2: Applicants should submit their applications in online mode along with the following essential documents:
Online
Certificate of Incorporation
Annual Audited Financial Statements (since incorporation)
DPIIT Registration or Udyam Registration Certificate, as the case may be
Lab’s TEC/NCCS Designation Certificate or NABL Accreditation Certificate, as the case may be
Test reports and Product certificate (MTCTE/Voluntary Certification)
Invoice/Receipt issued by TEC/NCCS designated Lab(s) or NABL Accredited Lab
Payment Receipt of certification fees paid to TEC/CB
An Undertaking that Start-up/ MSEs annual revenue should not have crossed INR 5 crores in any financial year (since incorporation), and the Start-up should not have raised funds more than INR 10 crores.
Bank account details along with a copy of a cancelled cheque.
Self-declaration confirming that the applicant has not received any reimbursement under any other government scheme for the product testing & certification charges applied under this scheme.
Copy of PAN card
Any other required documents

Step 3: Step 3: Application for the reimbursement of testing and certification charges can be submitted through a defined process/format, as mentioned in Annexure-I.
Online
Submit the application online before the prescribed quarterly deadline.
The application is screened by Telecom Centres of Excellence (TCOE) for completeness.
Eligible applications are forwarded to the Technical Evaluation Committee for evaluation and due diligence.
Recommendations are sent to the Administrative Committee for approval.
Final approval is granted by the competent authority.
Funds are released by Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) to TCOE.
TCOE disburses reimbursement to the applicant within 7 days.

Required Documents
• Certificate Of Incorporation
• Annual Audited Financial Statements (Since Incorporation)
• DPIIT Registration Certificate (For Start-ups) / Udyam Registration Certificate (For MSEs)
• Lab’s TEC/NCCS Designation Certificate Or NABL Accreditation Certificate
• Test Reports And Product Certificate (MTCTE/Voluntary Certification)
• Invoice/Receipt Issued By Testing Lab
• Payment Receipt Of Certification Fees Paid To TEC/Certification Body
• Undertaking (Regarding Revenue, Funding Limits, And No Duplicate Claims)
• Bank Account Details With Cancelled Cheque
• Self-Declaration (No Reimbursement From Other Schemes)
• PAN Card
• Any Other Required Documents

Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the objective of the scheme?
A: The scheme aims to reimburse a part of the testing and certification charges incurred by Start-ups and Micro &amp; Small Enterprises (MSEs) in the telecom/ICT sector.
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Q: Who can apply under this scheme?
A: Start-ups registered with DPIIT and Micro or Small Enterprises registered under the Ministry of MSME, incorporated in India, can apply.
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Q: What is the maximum reimbursement amount under the scheme?
A: The maximum reimbursement is capped at ₹50,00,000 per Start-up or MSE during the scheme duration.
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Q: What percentage of reimbursement is provided?
A: - Start-ups: Up to 75%
- Micro Enterprises: Up to 60%
- Small Enterprises: Up to 50%

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Q: Which types of testing and certification are eligible for reimbursement?
A: Testing and certification under Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) or voluntary certification conducted at TEC/NCCS designated labs or NABL accredited labs are eligible.
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Q: Is reimbursement available for R&D-related testing?
A: No, reimbursement is not provided for control tests related to product research and development (R&amp;D).
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Q: What is the time limit to apply for reimbursement?
A: The reimbursement claim must be submitted within 3 months from the date of issuance of the product certificate by TEC.
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Q: What is the duration of the scheme?
A: The scheme is operational for 2 years or until the allocated budget of ₹25,00,00,000 is fully utilised, whichever is earlier.
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Q: How can applicants apply under the scheme?
A: Applications can be submitted online through the official portal: [https://tec.gov.in/tcrs](https://tec.gov.in/tcrs).
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Q: Can an applicant claim reimbursement under multiple government schemes for the same testing?
A: No, the applicant must provide a self-declaration confirming that reimbursement has not been claimed under any other government scheme for the same testing and certification charges.
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