On 16-4-2025, The Ministry of Communications notified the Telecommunications (Framework to Notify Standards, Conformity Assessment and Certification) Rules, 2025, to establish a regulatory framework ensuring that telecom equipment used in India meet safety, security, and performance standards. The provisions came into force on 16-4-2025.
Key Points:
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The Rules will set up a structured framework for standardizing, notifying telecom standards, conformity assessment measures and certifying telecom equipment under S. 19 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
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These rules supersede the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017, moving away from the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 to align with the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
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The Appropriate Authorities which will oversee the conformity assessment measures and inspection procedures will include Telecommunication Engineering Centre (‘TEC’) and the National Centre for Communication Security (‘NCCS’), under the Department of Telecommunications.
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The designated Appropriate Authority will set standards, notified and reviewed, to enhance compliance, security and standardization.
Revised standards will operate concurrently with existing standards for a specified period. These standards will be reviewed every 5 years to ensure relevance and compliance.
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These Rules outline procedures for recognizing Conformity Assessment Bodies (‘CAB’) for obtaining certification and ensuring compliance.
The Appropriate Authority will recognise a laboratory in India as a CAB, a list of which will be published on the ‘official portal’, for carrying out conformity assessment of standards.
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Certificate of Conformity Assessment can be obtained by entities, subject to notified standards, renewed upon compliance with procedures, at their own expense. Applications will be processed as per guidelines on the official portal, and certificates will be issued for a determined validity period.
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The telecom equipment imported into India for the purpose of research, or brought into India by a person for personal use will be exempted from the requirement of Conformity Assessment.
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On a regular basis, inspection and compliance procedures will be carried out by designated officers of Appropriate Authority.
Telecom businesses, in co-operation, grant access and provide required information during inspections.
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Legal proceedings will be initiated against those persons not complying with the relevant standards or the conformity assessment measures or does not possess the Certificate of Conformity Assessment. Non-certified equipment cannot be sold or used.
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The government will notify digital portals for:
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Publishing telecom standards;
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Managing certifications, fees, and compliance procedures;
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Issuing non-conformity notices and directions.
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These rules will be creating a more secure, reliable, and future-ready telecom ecosystem strengthening India’s digital infrastructure, safeguard networks from cyber threats, and encourage innovation in telecom technology. For telecom businesses, it streamlines regulatory approvals, making compliance clearer and more efficient.