Overview
Any product that transmits radio signals in India must use spectrum lawfully. For products working in the licence-exempt (de-licensed) frequency bands notified by the Government, such as the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands used by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the Wireless Planning & Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) grants an Equipment Type Approval (ETA). Without it, wireless products cannot be imported or sold, and customs may hold consignments.
Spectrum use is governed by India’s telecommunications law, now the Telecommunications Act, 2023, and by the Gazette notifications that de-license specific bands and set power limits. Since 2019, DoT has allowed ETA for licence-exempt products through self-declaration on the Saral Sanchar portal, supported by an RF test report. Details are published on DoT’s e-services page at https://eservices.dot.gov.in/equipment-type-approval-eta, and applications are made at https://saralsanchar.gov.in.
Who needs it
- Manufacturers and brand owners of wireless products sold in India.
- Importers, who need the ETA to clear wireless goods through customs.
- Foreign manufacturers, through an authorised Indian representative or importer.
- E-commerce sellers, who are increasingly asked by platforms for ETA evidence.
Products covered
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Mobile and computing | Smartphones, tablets, laptops, wireless keyboards and mice |
| Audio | Bluetooth earbuds, headphones, speakers, soundbars |
| Wearables | Smart watches, fitness bands |
| Networking | Wi-Fi routers, access points, mesh systems |
| IoT and smart home | Smart plugs, cameras, sensors, Zigbee and LoRa devices |
| Others | RF remote controls, wireless chargers, RFID readers, car accessories |
Products excluded from the self-declaration route include radar, jamming devices, drones and satellite equipment such as VSAT terminals. Products whose import is “restricted” under DGFT policy may need a scrutiny-based ETA and a separate WPC import licence.
Documents required
- RF test report for the model, typically from an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory, showing frequency range and output power within Indian limits
- Manufacturer’s authorisation letter for the Indian applicant
- Technical literature: product specifications, block diagram or user manual
- Company registration details of the applicant (GST, IEC for importers)
- Fee payment through the government payment gateway
Test reports are the part most often queried. They should name the exact model, show every radio technology in the product, and cover the frequency ranges and power limits that apply in India rather than only those of another market.
Process
- Confirm the bands. Check that every radio in the product operates in a de-licensed band and within the power limits notified for India.
- Get the RF test report. Test the model, or review existing reports for coverage of the Indian frequency ranges.
- Register on Saral Sanchar. Create the applicant account on the portal.
- Apply for ETA (self-declaration). Upload the test report, authorisation and technical documents, and pay the fee per model.
- Verification. WPC verifies the report and documents and may raise queries.
- Download the ETA certificate, which is then used for customs clearance and sale.
Validity, renewal & surveillance
According to DoT’s e-services page, an ETA is valid for the lifetime of the model unless revoked by the WPC Wing. A change to the radio hardware, frequency or power typically needs a new application. WPC can revoke approvals for false declarations or non-compliant products.
Note: DoT’s e-services page lists an ETA fee of Rs 10,000 per model. Fees and procedures are revised from time to time; we’ll confirm the current figure before filing.
Remember that ETA covers spectrum only. Many wireless products also need BIS CRS registration for safety and, for telecom equipment, TEC MTCTE certification.
How Aaditech helps
Aaditech was promoted in 2010 by former Directors of the Bureau of Indian Standards and is based in Delhi. We handle ETA alongside the BIS approvals that most wireless products also need, so you get one plan rather than three separate projects.
- Applicability check: ETA, CRS, MTCTE and BEE mapped for your product.
- Test report review to confirm coverage of Indian bands and limits before you file.
- Lab coordination where fresh RF testing is required.
- Saral Sanchar filing and payment for each model.
- Query handling with the WPC Wing through to approval.
- Customs support: guidance on presenting the ETA for clearance.
Our clients include Acer, Amazon and Flipkart. Contact us before your next wireless product launch.
