The National Test House (NTH), functioning under the Department of Consumer Affairs in the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) under the Ministry of Defence, on December 28, 2025. The MoU establishes a framework to deepen cooperation in research, testing and training between the two premier scientific institutions. Key areas of collaboration include joint research and testing activities on advanced materials and technologies, sharing of laboratory infrastructure and specialised instrumentation facilities and exchange of scientific and technical expertise between NTH and DMSRDE professionals. The agreement also provides for joint seminars, workshops and structured training programmes to upskill specialists in advanced testing methodologies and emerging materials technology, with an emphasis on building a talent pool equipped to address both civilian and defence-oriented challenges. Where specialised facilities are limited on either side, the MoU enables mutual support for testing and evaluation on agreed terms, amplifying capabilities without duplicating infrastructure. NTH provides testing, inspection and quality-assurance services across industrial and consumer products, while DMSRDE specialises in research and development of non-metallic materials including polymers, composites, elastomers, ceramics, technical textiles, fuels, lubricants and other speciality materials critical for defence applications. The partnership supports consumer safety, defence self-reliance and national priorities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework.