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Maharashtra FDA proposes more manpower for new drug testing labs in Pune & Nashik
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Shardul Nautiyal, Mumbai
August 28 , 2025
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In a significant move aimed at strengthening the state’s drug regulatory framework, the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has submitted a detailed proposal to the state government, seeking approval for the sanctioning of manpower for the newly constructed drug testing laboratories in Pune and Nashik. This development comes under the broader umbrella of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) focused on enhancing drug regulatory infrastructure across India.
The CSS scheme, which was initiated in 2016–17 and received fund sanctioning in 2018, aims to strengthen the drug testing ecosystem in Maharashtra. It operates under a financial partnership model, with 60% funding from the Central government and 40% from the state. The funding window was valid until March 31, 2025, with a total project cost of Rs. 136 crore.
The scheme is focused on upgrading existing labs and establishing new ones to meet the increasing demand for drug sample testing, ensuring public safety and enhancing regulatory compliance.
“The Pune Divisional Office and Laboratory, along with the Nashik Divisional Office and Laboratory, have completed their civil construction work under the CSS-State Regulatory Scheme. However, critical components such as partitioning, equipment procurement, lab establishment, and recruitment of trained personnel are still pending before the laboratories can become fully operational,” according to official sources.
As per the Maharashtra FDA records, Maharashtra currently has 189 sanctioned posts across its existing drug testing laboratories for Mumbai, Aurangabad and Nagpur. However, 56 of these posts remain vacant, hampering efficient functioning. In response, the government has taken steps to expedite recruitment. Notably, for Class 3 positions, particularly lab chemists, the government has hired Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to conduct examinations.
Examinations for these posts have already been conducted, and the results are awaited. Following the declaration of results, the Maharashtra FDA expects to induct 56 new lab chemists to bolster its workforce.
For Class 2 and higher positions, recruitment is managed directly by the state government.
As part of the ongoing infrastructure enhancement, the Mumbai laboratory currently has the capacity to test approximately 4,000 drug samples annually.
The Aurangabad laboratory, whose capacity has seen recent improvements, now tests 2,500 samples, up from 1,000 samples in previous years.
The Nagpur laboratory, however, is currently functioning from a rented building, which imposes restrictions on expansion and procurement of new instruments. It presently handles 1,000 samples annually, up from an earlier capacity of 500–600 samples.
Procurement of high-end testing instruments has been completed for both Mumbai and Aurangabad labs, boosting their testing capabilities. However, due to infrastructural limitations, similar upgrades at the Nagpur lab have been deferred.
With the civil infrastructure for the Pune and Nashik labs completed, the Maharashtra FDA is now focusing on equipping the facilities and filling essential posts to commence full-scale operations. These additions are expected to significantly enhance the state’s capacity for drug quality surveillance, enabling more rigorous checks on pharmaceuticals in the interest of public health.
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