The Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme, announced by the Department of Telecommunications on 01.10.2022, aims to support and encourage research and development in telecom products and technologies. This initiative is part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission and aligns with the Hon'ble Prime Minister’s call for ‘Jai Anusandhaan’.

Testing and certification are critical to ensuring the quality, reliability, and safety of telecommunications services. It offers profound benefits, particularly for rural and remote areas, in:

• Promoting access to technology: Certification assures products are suitable for low-bandwidth, remote areas, promoting broader access to modern technology.


• Accelerated market entry: with reduced commercialization cost.


• Supporting rural businesses: Certified products ensure reliable telecom infrastructure for agriculture, small-scale industries, and rural enterprises.


• Stimulating economic development: Reliable, certified telecom services promote economic growth by enabling e-commerce, remote work, and entrepreneurship.


• Ensuring quality services: Rigorous testing ensures telecom products meet industry standards and perform reliably in challenging environments.


• Enhancing safety and security: Certified products comply with safety and security standards, reducing risks such as accidents and cybersecurity breaches.


• Compliance with regulatory requirements: Testing and certification help businesses meet regulatory standards, ensuring market access and long-term sustainability.

The TTDF scheme is committed to supporting startups and Micro and Small Enterprises in the telecom industry by reimbursing their testing and certification costs, under mandatory/ voluntary testing certification scheme.

Reimbursement Process:

The reimbursement process is streamlined through this online application portal, the following documents will be required for the application process:

• a. Certificate of Incorporation


• b. Audited Financial Statements


• c. DPIIT Registration or Udyam Certificate


• d. Lab TEC Designation or NABL Accreditation Certificate


• e. Test Certificate (countersigned by TEC/NCCS)


• f. Test Invoice/Receipt


• g. Self-certificate that annual revenue is less than INR 5 crore (excluding tax) or have not raised more than INR 10 crores fund.


• h. Bank account details along with a copy of a cancelled cheque.


• i. Any other supporting document.

• All tests that are published by the Telecommunication Engineering Center (TEC)/ National Center of Communication Security (NCCS) under the list of all mandatory/ voluntary test/ test procedures will be covered under this scheme.


• Tests can be conducted at any of the designated testing labs provided by TEC/ NCCS

Eligibility for reimbursements:

• The maximum reimbursement per startup is capped at INR 50 lakhs until they achieve an annual revenue of INR 5 crore or raise total funds of INR 10 crores, whichever comes first.


• Reimbursement must be claimed within three months of the invoice date, following product testing.


• Reimbursement percentages vary based on entity size -


• Startups eligible for 75%


• Micro-enterprises for 60%


• Small enterprises for 50%