DoT Cuts Telecom Security Testing Fees By Up To 95 per cent

05 Aug 2025 CW Team

Previously ranging between Rs 2,00,000 and Rs 3,50,000 depending on the category of equipment, the revised fees are now set at Rs 10,000 for Group A equipment (down from Rs 2,00,000), Rs 20,000 for Group B, Rs 30,000 for Group C, and Rs 50,000 for Group D. This sharp reduction significantly lowers the financial barrier for telecom and ICT manufacturers seeking certification.

Government R&D institutes like C-DOT and C-DAC are fully exempt from these fees for product certification applications submitted until 31 March 2028, encouraging continued innovation in public sector research.

The DoT has also simplified the testing and compliance process for Highly Specialised Equipment (HSE) and products at the end-of-sale or end-of-life stage. Mandatory security testing currently applies to products like IP routers, Wi-Fi CPEs, and 5G Core SMF, while certification for Optical Line Terminals and Optical Networking Terminals remains voluntary, with fee exemptions applicable until 31 August 2025.

Applicants may submit payments via the MTCTE portal. The National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS), under the DoT, is responsible for implementing the security testing and certification regime.

The ComSec scheme is part of the broader Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) framework, initially introduced in September 2017 and later revised under the Telecommunications (Framework to Notify Standards, Conformity Assessment, and Certification) Rules, 2025.

By aligning testing with global standards, the government aims to position India as a hub for telecom security testing. This move is expected to improve the competitiveness of Indian telecom OEMs, simplify market access, and strengthen national telecom infrastructure.

Image source:https://www.financialexpress.com/

In a major step to enhance ease of doing business and reduce the compliance burden on the telecom and ICT sectors, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced a reduction of up to 95 per cent in security test evaluation fees under the Communication Security Certification Scheme (ComSec). The revised fee structure comes into effect from 1 August 2025 and is particularly aimed at benefiting domestic manufacturers, especially micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).Previously ranging between Rs 2,00,000 and Rs 3,50,000 depending on the category of equipment, the revised fees are now set at Rs 10,000 for Group A equipment (down from Rs 2,00,000), Rs 20,000 for Group B, Rs 30,000 for Group C, and Rs 50,000 for Group D. This sharp reduction significantly lowers the financial barrier for telecom and ICT manufacturers seeking certification.Government R&D institutes like C-DOT and C-DAC are fully exempt from these fees for product certification applications submitted until 31 March 2028, encouraging continued innovation in public sector research.The DoT has also simplified the testing and compliance process for Highly Specialised Equipment (HSE) and products at the end-of-sale or end-of-life stage. Mandatory security testing currently applies to products like IP routers, Wi-Fi CPEs, and 5G Core SMF, while certification for Optical Line Terminals and Optical Networking Terminals remains voluntary, with fee exemptions applicable until 31 August 2025.Applicants may submit payments via the MTCTE portal. The National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS), under the DoT, is responsible for implementing the security testing and certification regime.The ComSec scheme is part of the broader Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) framework, initially introduced in September 2017 and later revised under the Telecommunications (Framework to Notify Standards, Conformity Assessment, and Certification) Rules, 2025.By aligning testing with global standards, the government aims to position India as a hub for telecom security testing. This move is expected to improve the competitiveness of Indian telecom OEMs, simplify market access, and strengthen national telecom infrastructure. Image source:https://www.financialexpress.com/

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

VECV Sales Rise 7.8 Per Cent In May 2026

VE Commercial Vehicles recorded sales of 7,978 units in May 2026, compared to 7,401 units in May 2025, registering growth of 7.8 per cent. This included 7,789 units from the Eicher brand and 189 units from the Volvo brand.Eicher branded trucks and buses reported sales of 7,789 units during the month, up 7.3 per cent from 7,258 units a year earlier. In the domestic commercial vehicle market, Eicher sales rose 9.1 per cent to 7,375 units from 6,758 units in May 2025.Exports declined 17.2 per cent to 414 units from 500 units in the corresponding month last year. Volvo Trucks and Volvo Buses recor..

Infrastructure Urban

02 Jun 2026

Table Space Strengthens DESYN Leadership Team

Table Space has announced strategic leadership appointments within DESYN, its integrated Design and Build business, as it looks to strengthen operations across key enterprise and GCC markets in India. DESYN was launched as a strategic extension of Table Space’s workspace solutions portfolio to meet rising demand for agile, high-quality and rapidly deployable enterprise workspaces.Shruti Ookabhoy has joined DESYN as Executive Director and will lead the Design vertical, focusing on design capability, operational excellence and team development across markets. She brings over 22 years of experi..

Infrastructure Transport

02 Jun 2026

Concord Associate Bags Rs 2.79 Bn Kavach Order

Concord Control Systems said its associate company, Progota India, has received a Rs 2.79 bn domestic order from Indian Railways for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of on-board Kavach 4.0 loco equipment.The order is scheduled for execution within 12 months and strengthens Concord’s role in India’s railway safety and signalling ecosystem. Kavach is India’s indigenous automatic train protection system, designed to improve operational safety by helping prevent signal passing at danger and reducing collision risks.Gaurav Lath, Joint Managing Director, Concord Control Syst..