CDSCO Seeks Urgent Action From States, UTs to Complete SUGAM Labs Onboarding for Digital Drug Testing, NSQ Monitoring
Only five States have completed the process so far.
New Delhi: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued a reminder to all State and Union Territory Drugs Controllers, asking them to expedite the onboarding of their officials and Drug Testing Laboratories on the SUGAM Labs Portal, noting that only five States have completed the process so far.
In a reminder letter dated November 9, 2026, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, stated that onboarding requests had been received from 16 States/UTs, but only five States had completed the onboarding process. Responses from the remaining States and Union Territories are still awaited.
The reminder follows an earlier communication dated September 24, 2026, requesting States and UTs to initiate the onboarding of their respective officials and Drug Testing Laboratories on the integrated digital platform developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Government of India's Digital India initiative.
Highlighting the platform's role in strengthening drug regulatory operations, CDSCO stated that the SUGAM Labs Portal provides an integrated digital workflow connecting CDSCO, State Food and Drug Administrations (FDAs), Drug Inspectors, Regulatory Offices, State Zone/Sub-Zone Offices and Drug Testing Laboratories.
The platform facilitates end-to-end management of regulatory activities, covering sample collection and registration, laboratory testing, result approval, report generation and subsequent enforcement or legal action.
Importantly, the onboarding is also expected to improve the efficiency of monthly Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) compilation through automated processes.
"The onboarding will also bring enhanced efficiency in monthly NSQ compilation through automated processes," the letter stated.
In view of the pending onboarding, CDSCO has once again requested all State and UT Drugs Controllers to furnish the requisite details of their respective officials and Drug Testing Laboratories at the earliest to enable completion of the process and effective operationalisation of the portal across the country.
The regulator has asked the concerned States and UTs to accord priority to the matter and ensure timely submission of the required information.
For assistance with onboarding and other related issues concerning the SUGAM Labs Portal, States and UTs may contact C-DAC or the CDSCO helpdesk through the email addresses provided in the communication.
The letter was issued by Dr Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, Drugs Controller General (India), for information and necessary action on priority.
