In the last two years, there have been many innovations in the RT-PCR testing regime, which is the gold-standard for Covid-19 tests and keeping this in mind the Nagpur based National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), under the guidance of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), developed a new technique called the Saline Gargle RT-PCR test for testing Covid-19 samples.

In a significant development, they have also transferred this technology to the Union Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), on a non-exclusive basis.

The test is simple, fast, cost-effective and patient-friendly. It is well suited for rural and tribal areas and this is where the cost-effectiveness will come into play. Most of the semi-urban, rural and tribal areas do not have a robust health infrastructure and this technology will be a boon to them.  

The transfer of technology to the MSME ministry will enable the government to rope in other stakeholders in the public and private sector to set up manufacturing facilities and commercialise the same. As it is on a non-exclusive basis the cost for the kits will also be reduced.

In the light of the prevailing pandemic situation and probable third wave of 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 Know-How of the Saline Gargle RT-PCR technique was done in the presence of Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari on September 11, 2021

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.