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All medical devices manufactured in India are regulated by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) , also referred to as the Central Drug Control Organisation or Central Drugs Standard Control Organization. CDSCO functions under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India and acts as the national regulatory authority for drugs and medical devices.
The regulatory framework for medical devices is governed by the Medical Device Rules, 2017 (CDSCO). These rules ensure that medical devices manufactured, sold, or distributed in India comply with essential requirements of safety, quality, performance, and efficacy. Any manufacturer or entity dealing with medical devices or In-Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) devices must obtain a valid CDSCO medical device manufacturing license before starting operations.
Manufacturing, selling, or marketing medical devices without proper CDSCO registration or approval may result in regulatory action, CDSCO audit, suspension or cancellation of the CDSCO licence, penalties, or legal proceedings.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) regulates medical devices in India in coordination with different licensing authorities:
| Category | Description |
| State Licensing Authorities (SLA) | For low-risk and moderate-risk medical devices |
| Central Licensing Authority (CLA / CDSCO HQ) | For high-risk and critical medical devices |
This risk-based approach under CDSCO medical device rules 2017 ensures appropriate regulatory control while maintaining patient safety and compliance.
As per the Medical Device Rules, CDSCO 2017, medical devices manufactured in India are classified based on the level of risk associated with their intended use:

| Category | Description | Reference Items |
| Class A | Low-risk medical devices | Items such as surgical dressings, bandages, examination gloves, tongue depressors, hand-held surgical instruments, and thermometers (non-electrical) and many more. |
| Class B | Low to moderate-risk medical devices | Items include hypodermic needles, suction equipment, infusion sets, blood pressure monitoring devices, powered wheelchairs, and dental drills etc |
| Class C | Moderate to high-risk medical devices | Examples include infusion pumps, ventilators, dialysis equipment, bone fixation plates, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and anesthesia workstations and more. |
| Class D | High-risk or critical medical devices | Examples include heart valves, coronary stents, implantable defibrillators, pacemakers, heart-lung machines, and HIV or blood screening diagnostic kits etc. |
The CDSCO medical device classification determines:
Applicable licensing authority (SLA or CDSCO HQ)
Type of CDSCO online application and license form
Inspection and CDSCO audit requirements
Approval timeline and regulatory scrutiny level
| Device Class | Application Form | License Issued | Licensing Authority |
| Class A & B | MD-3 | MD-5 | State Licensing Authority (SLA) |
| Class C & D | MD-7 | MD-9 | Central Licensing Authority (CDSCO) |
These licenses collectively form the CDSCO medical device manufacturing license system in India.
The following entities are eligible to apply through CDSCO online registration:
Indian medical device manufacturers
Indian IVD medical device manufacturers
Manufacturers with in-house production facilities
Entities compliant with CDSCO medical device guidelines and quality standards
Applications are submitted through the official CDSCO online portal, commonly known as the CDSCO SUGAM portal.
Before applying for CDSCO certification or a manufacturing licence, manufacturers must ensure:
Finalized medical device name, model, and variants
Clearly defined intended use and indications
Correct risk-based device classification
Documented manufacturing process and workflow
Implementation of ISO 13485 / ICMED certified Quality Management System
Availability of qualified and experienced technical staff
Manufacturing facility readiness as per GMP and CDSCO medical device regulation requirements
Key documents required for CDSCO medical device registration include:
Covering letter addressed to CDSCO or State Licensing Authority
Company incorporation and constitutional documents
Plant Master File (PMF)
Device Master File (DMF) as per Medical Device Rules 2017 CDSCO
ISO 13485 or ICMED certification
Details of qualified technical personnel
Manufacturing site layout plan
Quality Management System (QMS) and SOP documentation
Product labels and Instructions for Use (IFU)
Batch test reports (where applicable)
Proof of CDSCO online fee payment
Phase I – CDSCO SUGAM Portal Registration
Manufacturers must register on the official CDSCO SUGAM portal, also known as mdonline CDSCO or CDSCOMD online, for medical device licensing.
Steps include:
CDSCO apply online through the SUGAM portal
Selection of correct application form (MD-3 or MD-7)
Entry of company, manufacturing site, and device details
Phase II – Application Submission
Upload of PMF, DMF, ISO certificates, and declarations
Submission of technical and regulatory documents
Online payment of government fees as per device class
Generation of CDSCO application reference number
Phase III – Technical Review & CDSCO Audit
Application scrutiny by CDSCO or SLA
Queries or clarification requests, if any
Manufacturing site inspection or CDSCO audit
Verification of GMP, infrastructure, and quality systems
Phase IV – Grant of CDSCO Manufacturing License
Upon successful review and inspection:
MD-5 license issued for Class A & B devices
MD-9 license issued for Class C & D devices
This CDSCO registration certificate authorizes the legal manufacture and sale of medical devices in India.
Validity
MD-5 and MD-9 licenses have perpetual validity
License remains valid subject to payment of retention fees every 5 years
Retention Requirements
No annual renewal is required
Retention fee must be paid before the end of each 5-year cycle
Retention fee is equivalent to the fresh CDSCO license fee
Non-payment of retention fees may result in suspension, cancellation, or requirement of fresh CDSCO registration for medical devices.
Legal authorization to manufacture medical devices in India
Compliance with CDSCO medical device rules 2017
Enhanced credibility and acceptance in domestic and export markets
Eligibility for hospital supply and government tenders
Reduced regulatory, legal, and compliance risks
Absolute Veritas is a trusted CDSCO registration consultant offering end-to-end support for CDSCO medical device manufacturing license and certification.
Our services include:
Complete CDSCO manufacturing license assistance
Device classification and regulatory strategy
PMF, DMF, QMS, and SOP documentation
CDSCO SUGAM portal filing and coordination
CDSCO audit and inspection support
License issuance, retention, and post-approval changes
With extensive experience in CDSCO medical device registration, Absolute Veritas ensures a smooth, compliant, and timely approval process, enabling manufacturers to confidently establish and expand their presence in the Indian medical device market.
Let Absolute Veritas Guide You for CDSCO medical device registration.
Don’t let Process slow down your business. Contact Absolute Veritas today and let our experienced consultants handle the entire registration process for you. We’ll provide Complete CDSCO manufacturing license assistance ,saving you time, effort, and stress.
Connect with us now to get expert consultation and seamless CDSCO registration support across India. For more information please contact us at cs@absoluteveritas.com
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A CDSCO medical device manufacturing license is a mandatory regulatory approval issued under the Medical Device Rules, 2017, that authorizes manufacturers to legally produce medical devices or IVDs in India while ensuring compliance with safety, quality, and performance standards.
Yes, all manufacturers of medical devices and IVDs in India must obtain a valid CDSCO manufacturing license before commencing production, sale, or distribution, irrespective of device risk class.
The licensing authority depends on device classification. Class A and Class B devices are licensed by the State Licensing Authority (SLA), while Class C and Class D devices are regulated and licensed by the Central Licensing Authority (CDSCO HQ).
Medical devices are classified into Class A, B, C, and D based on the risk associated with their intended use. This classification determines the applicable license form, regulatory scrutiny level, inspection requirements, and approval timeline.
Indian manufacturers, Indian IVD manufacturers, contract manufacturers, and entities with compliant manufacturing facilities and quality systems are eligible to apply through the CDSCO SUGAM online portal.
Manufacturers of Class A and B devices must apply using Form MD-3 and receive the license in Form MD-5, whereas manufacturers of Class C and D devices apply using Form MD-7 and receive approval in Form MD-9.
Manufacturers must finalize device details, confirm correct classification, implement an ISO 13485 or ICMED-certified QMS, appoint qualified technical staff, and ensure manufacturing facilities comply with GMP and CDSCO regulatory requirements.
Essential documents include the Plant Master File, Device Master File, ISO 13485 or ICMED certificate, company incorporation documents, technical personnel details, site layout, SOPs, labeling and IFU, and proof of fee payment.