Indigenous Saline Gargle RT-PCR Test

In a major step towards India’s fight against the Covid-19, Nagpur’s National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) has transferred the know-how of indigenously developed Saline Gargle RT-PCR technique used for testing the Covid-19 samples to the Union Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME). The Saline Gargle RT-PCR technology is simple, fast, cost-effective, patient-friendly and comfortable; it also provides instant test results and is well-suited for rural and tribal areas, given minimal infrastructure requirements, the Union Ministry of Science & Technology said. NEERI functions under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The CSIR-NEERI stated that the innovation developed by the institute has been “dedicated to the nation” to serve society. The know-how has been transferred to the Union Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), on a non-exclusive basis. This would enable the innovation to be commercialised and licensed to all capable parties, including private, government and various rural development schemes and departments.


The licensees are expected to set up manufacturing facilities for commercial production in the form of easily usable compact kits. In the light of the prevailing pandemic situation and probable third wave of the Covid-19, CSIR-NEERI fast-tracked the know-how transfer process to potential licensees for its wider dissemination across the nation.

The ceremonial transfer of the Standard Operating Procedure and Knowhow of the Saline Gargle RT-PCR technique was conducted in the presence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on 11t September 2021. “The Saline Gargle RT-PCR method needs implementation across the nation, especially in resource-poor regions like rural and tribal areas. This would result in faster and more citizen-friendly testing and will strengthen our fight against the pandemic. The MSME unit had approached CSIR-NEERI for commercializing the Saline Gargle RT-PCR technology developed by CSIR-NEERI.

The principal inventor of Saline Gargle RT-PCR technology is NEERI scientist Dr Krishna Khairnar and the team of research scholars of Environmental Virology, at CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur,” the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways said.



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