New Delhi: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) today announced a major reduction in fees for testing the security of telecom and tech products. Starting August 1, 2025, these fees, part of the Communication Security Certification Scheme (ComSec), have been cut by up to 95%. This change makes it easier and cheaper for companies, especially small and medium businesses, to meet government requirements.
The fees for testing telecom equipment used to range from ₹2 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh, depending on the type of product. Now, they’ve been slashed significantly: Group A equipment fees are down to ₹10,000 from ₹2 lakh, Group B to ₹20,000 from ₹2 lakh, Group C to ₹30,000 from ₹2.5 lakh, and Group D to ₹50,000 from ₹3.5 lakh. This reduction aims to ease the financial burden on companies making telecom and tech products in India.
Government research organisations, like CDOT and CDAC, won’t have to pay these fees at all if they apply for product certification before March 31, 2028. This exemption is meant to encourage new ideas and advancements in public sector research.
The DoT has also made the testing process simpler for specialised and older telecom equipment that’s no longer sold or nearing the end of its use. Right now, products like internet routers, Wi-Fi devices, and parts of 5G networks must undergo security testing. Other equipment, like certain optical network devices, can be tested voluntarily, with no fees until August 31, 2025.
Companies can pay these fees online through the MTCTE website (https://mtcte.tec.gov.in). The National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS), run by the DoT, handles the testing and certification process. Any company wanting to sell, import, or use telecom equipment in India must get its products tested and certified under this scheme.
The equipment is divided into four groups— A, B, C, and D—based on how complex and time-consuming the testing is. This includes things like routers, mobile network equipment, base stations, satellite systems, and SIM cards. This initiative falls under the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) rules, first introduced in 2017 and updated in 2025.
These changes are expected to help Indian telecom companies compete better, spark more innovation, and make it easier for both local and international manufacturers to enter the market, the Ministry stated, adding that by aligning with global security standards, the DoT aims to keep India’s telecom network safe and reliable for the long term.
– global bihari bureau
