Govt formulates clear rules for operation of radio-telephone apparatus

On 25-6-2025, the Ministry of Civil Aviation notified the Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and License Rules, 2025 to regulate the certification and licensing of individuals operating radio- telephone apparatus in aviation related services. The provisions came into force on 25-6-2025.

Key Points of the Radio Telephone Operator Rules

1. These Rules come under the ambit of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024.
2. The frequencies that are allocated to the aeronautical mobile service or to the aeronautical mobile- satellite service cannot be operated by any other person for the purpose of radio telephone service of any aircraft station or aircraft earth station.
3. The Central Government has the authority to grant or extend the Radio Telephone Operator (Restricted) Certificate and License.

4. Eligibility:

   • Any person can appear in the examination if he has attained the age of 16 years on the date of making an application and has passed Class 10th from the recognized Board;
   • Any person who fails this examination cannot appear for re-examination within a period of 6 weeks from the date of examination;
   • In case, the applicant is not a citizen of India, security clearance will be obtained from the Government of India.
5. The application will be submitted to the Director General.

6. Validity of Certificate and License:

   • Certificate or License will remain valid till the holder attains the age of 80 years unless suspended or cancelled;
   • Any Certificate or License existing on 25-6-2025 will continue to be valid till its expiration date.
   • In this case, the holder will have to pass the practical examination.

7. Scope of Authority to operate:

8. The holder can carry out the radiotelephone service of any aircraft station:
   • When working on frequencies of the maritime mobile service:
   • If the peak envelope power of the transmitter does not exceed 200 watts and the operation of the transmitter requires only the use of simple external switching devices.
   • When operating on frequencies allocated exclusively to the aeronautical mobile service if the operation of the transmitter requires only the use of simple external switching devices.
9. Disqualification: The Director General can disqualify any Certificate or License, after giving the opportunity of being heard, if:
   • Any person has obtained the Certificate or License/ or is in the process of obtaining it by suppressing any material information/ on the basis of wrong information or impersonation;
   • Any person has unauthorizedly varied or tampered with the particulars entered in a Certificate and License;
   • The Central Government has debarred a person, permanently or temporarily, from holding it.
10. Appeals can be made under Section 33 of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 to First Appellate Officer or Second Appellate Officer. The Appellate authority will pass a speaking order in writing.

11. Compounding of offences:

    • In case of breach of Rule 3 relating to “Operation of radio- telephone apparatus: fine can extend upto Rs. 1 Crore;
    • Breach of Rule 3 can be compounded by the Director General, the amount for which can extend upto Rs. 1 lakh.