The CDSCO's functions include:

• Laying down standards of drugs, cosmetics, diagnostics and devices;
• Laying down regulatory measures, amendments to Acts and Rules;
• Regulating market authorization of new drugs;
• Regulating clinical research in India;
• Regulating the standards of imported drugs;
• Approving licenses to manufacture certain categories of drugs as Central Licence Approving Authority i.e. for Blood Banks, Large Volume Parenterals and Vaccines & Sera;
• Carrying out work relating to the Drugs Technical Advisory Board and Drugs Consultative Committee;
• Testing of drugs by Central Drugs Labs; and
• Publishing the Indian Pharmacopoeia.