Standalone laboratory
Pathology only — blood and other lab tests, with sample collection. No imaging, so no radiation approvals.
Laboratory setup
Diagnostic Centre Consultancy
What Is a Diagnostic Centre?
A diagnostic centre brings pathology (blood and other lab tests), imaging such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT or MRI, sample collection and doctor consultation rooms together under one roof. A standalone laboratory handles lab tests only, and a scan centre handles imaging only. Planning just one of these? See our Laboratories or Imaging Centre pages for the detail.
Which One Do You Need
Lab, diagnostic centre or scan centre?
The three are often used interchangeably, but they differ in what they house, what they cost to equip and which licences they need. Here is the short version.
Diagnostic centre
Pathology and imaging together, plus collection and consultation rooms. Needs approvals for both sides.
This pageScan & imaging centre
Imaging only — ultrasound, X-ray, CT or MRI. No lab bench, but the radiation and PCPNDT rules still apply.
Imaging centre setup
The Opportunity
Diagnostic Centre Market Insights
The diagnostics industry, both in India and globally, is experiencing rapid growth. In India, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14%, reaching $25 billion by 2028 from $13 billion in 2023, with pathology making up 58% of this market. Globally, the industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11%, expanding from $260 billion to $450 billion by 2028.
This growth is driven by rising chronic diseases, an aging population, higher demand for preventive tests, and advancements in diagnostic technologies. These trends present significant opportunities for businesses to expand and innovate in both markets.
- 14% CAGR, India Expected growth rate of the Indian diagnostics market
- $25bn India by 2028 Up from $13 billion in 2023
- 58% Is pathology Pathology's share of the Indian market
- $450bn Global by 2028 From $260 billion, an 11% CAGR
The Process
How a Diagnostic Centre Project Runs: Six Phases
Our diagnostic centre consultancy covers setup and growth, starting with market analysis to identify expansion opportunities. It guides facility design and equipment setup to ensure efficient, compliant operations. It also helps craft specialized test menus and strategies tailored to patient and market demands.
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Phase 01
Catchment & Test-Mix Study
We look at who lives and works around your site, which doctors refer nearby and what is already available, then shape a test and scan mix that suits that catchment rather than a standard list.
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Phase 02
Layout, Shielding & Patient Flow
A floor plan that separates the lab, the imaging rooms, sample collection and consultation, keeps patients moving in one direction, and places X-ray and CT rooms where the radiation shielding and room layout can be approved.
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Phase 03
Equipment Mix Across Pathology and Imaging
Choosing analysers and imaging modalities together, so the pathology and imaging sides are sized to the same expected footfall and your capital is not tied up in capacity you will not use.
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Phase 04
Licensing Across Both Sides
Clinical Establishments Act registration for the centre, AERB approval for X-ray and CT, and PCPNDT registration where you offer ultrasound, alongside the waste, fire and trade approvals listed below.
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Phase 05
TPA Empanelment & Pricing
Setting your test and scan pricing against what the local market pays, and starting empanelment so the centre can offer cashless to insured patients. See our Insurance & TPA Support page for the detail.
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Phase 06
Launch & Referral Building
Staff training and commissioning, then the branding, doctor outreach and local marketing that bring the first referrals in through the door.
Choosing A Site
What makes a good location
Most of a centre’s footfall is decided before a single wall goes up. These are the four things we check on every site visit.
Footfall
Who passes the door and who lives within a short trip — the catchment that has to sustain your daily test volume.
Nearby hospitals and doctors
Referrals decide the first year. Being close to clinics and consultants who send samples matters more than a busy road.
Parking
Patients arriving for scans often come by car and may be unwell. Somewhere to stop matters more than people expect.
Ground-floor access
Level entry for elderly and less mobile patients, and a route wide enough to move heavy imaging equipment in on install day.
Before You Open
Licences Across Pathology and Imaging
Because a diagnostic centre combines a lab with imaging, it usually needs the approvals for both. Requirements vary by state and by the equipment you install, so treat this as a starting checklist.
The centre and its lab
Applies whatever modalities you install
- Registration under the Clinical Establishments Act (or your state’s equivalent)
- Biomedical waste authorisation from the State Pollution Control Board
- Fire NOC and trade licence from the local authorities
- NABL accreditation to ISO 15189 for the lab (voluntary)
The imaging side
Triggered by the modalities you choose
- AERB registration or licence for X-ray and CT, including approval of the room layout and radiation shielding
- A designated Radiation Safety Officer for X-ray and CT
- PCPNDT registration if you offer ultrasound
Which of these apply depends on your state, your premises and the modalities you install. We confirm the list for your centre and prepare the paperwork with you.
Start Here
Planning Your First Centre?
Four guides that cover which type of centre to open, the steps to get there, what a small setup costs, and where a consultancy actually saves you time.
Complete Diagnostic Centre Setup & Growth Consulting
One centre, both sides of the report.
End-to-end support for building, launching, and scaling diagnostic centres in India from market analysis and facility design to test menu strategy and patient-focused branding.
Diagnostic Centres We Have Set Up
Completed centres across Tamil Nadu and Kerala — from single-speciality collection points to full diagnostic and polyclinic operations.
ADRIC Full-Service Laboratory
A centre fitted out for biochemistry, haematology, microbiology and fertility screening.
Aravind Heart Care & Polyclinic Cardiac Centre & Polyclinic
ECG, ECHO and TMT running alongside a lab and pharmacy in one unit, sharing the same footfall.
Dr Sridevi’s Diagnostic Centre Launch & Handover
A centre on handover day with signage, working hours and contact details all in place.
BTN Diagnostic & Physio Hub Diagnostics With Physiotherapy
Diagnostics paired with a physiotherapy hub in the same building, adding repeat visits.
Kesav Diagnostics Grand Opening
Opening day at a high-street location, sited among everyday retail to drive walk-in volume.
Medsmart Labs Reception & Front Office
The front office finished and branded before opening, where registration and reporting happen.
Neighbourhood Collection Centre
A local collection point with signage in Tamil and a home-collection number for its catchment.
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Ready to Build Your Laboratory, Diagnostic Centre or Hospital?
Expert consultancy for planning, finance, equipment, licensing, and operational support.