CPRI's Regional Testing Laboratory (RTL) at Nashik | 12 Sep 2025

Why in News?

The Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, inaugurated its advanced Regional Testing Laboratory (RTL) at Nashik.

  • Shri Manohar Lal Khattar, Honorable Minister of Power & Housing and Urban Affairs, officially inaugurated the facility and dedicated it to the nation.

Key Points

  • Purpose: The facility aims to serve industries in western India by providing cutting-edge testing services for electrical and power equipment, such as Transformers, Energy Meters, Smart Meters, and Transformer Oil.
    • It will reduce turnaround time for testing and certification, improving the quality assurance ecosystem and speeding up procurement cycles for utilities.
  • Significance: The establishment of RTL Nashik enhances India's ability to support the power sector’s technological advancement. 
    • The lab will not only meet industry needs but will also contribute to R&D in power sector equipment testing, advancing India's power infrastructure.

Central Power Research Institute (CPRI)

  • The Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) was established in 1960 by the Government of India and became an autonomous society under the Ministry of Power in 1978.
  • The headquarters of CPRI is located in Bengaluru, with additional centers situated across the country. 
    • These include the Switchgear Testing & Development Center in Bhopal, the UHV Research Laboratory (UHVRL) in Hyderabad, the Thermal Research Center in Nagpur, and Regional Testing Laboratories in Noida, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Nashik.
  • The institute serves as a National Testing and Certification Authority to ensure the availability of quality equipment for Indian Power Systems.