Punjab Partners with National Test House to Bring World-Class Testing Closer to Industry

Chandigarh, August 30, 2026: In a major move aimed at strengthening Punjab’s industrial ecosystem, the state government has partnered with the National Test House (NTH) to establish advanced testing and certification facilities closer to major industrial clusters.

Industries and Commerce Minister Aman Arora said the initiative is expected to reduce compliance costs, shorten testing turnaround times and help Punjab’s MSMEs and exporters compete more effectively in global markets.

NTH Laboratory to Come Up in Jalandhar

Under the agreement, a state-of-the-art National Test House laboratory will be established at the Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology (NIIFT) in Jalandhar.

The facility will strategically serve the major industrial centres of Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Amritsar, bringing specialised testing services closer to manufacturers and exporters.

The MoU between Punjab’s Department of Industries & Commerce and NTH was exchanged during the 115th Foundation Day celebrations of National Test House in Bengaluru.

The agreement was exchanged by Punjab Director of Industries & Commerce Jaspreet Singh and NTH Director General Dr Alok Kumar Srivastava.

Major Industrial Sectors to Benefit

The proposed laboratory is expected to cater to several important sectors of Punjab’s economy, including:

Sports goods
Textiles
Leather
Hand tools
Auto components
Food processing

These sectors have a significant presence in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and other industrial centres of the state.

Focus on MSMEs and Exporters

Aman Arora said quality certification is increasingly important for businesses seeking access to international markets.

According to the minister, bringing sophisticated testing infrastructure closer to industrial clusters will help enterprises improve product quality, reduce compliance expenses and compete more confidently in global markets.

For smaller manufacturers and exporters, the availability of testing facilities within Punjab could also reduce the time and logistical costs associated with sending samples to laboratories outside the state.

What Is National Test House?

The National Test House, under the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, is India's largest multi-location, multidisciplinary government industrial testing laboratory.

NTH provides testing, calibration and quality-evaluation services covering a wide range of industrial products and materials. Its areas of activity include civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical testing, chemical technology, biological testing, textiles, rubber and plastics, electronics and non-destructive testing.

NTH also has NABL-accredited testing facilities at several locations across India.

Potential Boost to Punjab’s Export Economy

Punjab has established industrial clusters in sectors such as sports goods, engineering products, textiles, auto components and hand tools.

The new testing facility could help manufacturers obtain quality assessments and certifications closer to their production centres, potentially making the process more efficient for businesses targeting domestic and international markets.

The move also aligns with NTH's broader push to modernise testing infrastructure and expand advanced quality-assurance capabilities.

Jalandhar Gets Strategic Advantage

The decision to locate the new laboratory at NIIFT Jalandhar is particularly significant for the region.

Jalandhar is a major centre for sports goods manufacturing, while the wider industrial belt connecting Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Amritsar has diverse manufacturing and export activity.

With a specialised NTH facility in the region, industries could potentially gain easier access to testing, evaluation and certification services without relying as heavily on distant laboratories.

Key Highlights
Punjab government has partnered with National Test House.
A new state-of-the-art NTH laboratory will be established at NIIFT Jalandhar.
The facility will serve industrial hubs in Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Amritsar.
Sports goods, textiles, leather, hand tools, auto components and food processing are among the targeted sectors.
The initiative aims to reduce testing costs and turnaround time.
MSMEs and exporters are expected to be major beneficiaries.
The project is designed to strengthen Punjab's industrial quality and export infrastructure.