What is Equipment Type Approval (ETA), and which wireless products need one?

Equipment Type Approval (ETA) is the WPC Wing's approval that a wireless device model works within India's radio rules. It is required for the import, sale and use of wireless devices that operate in de-licensed frequency bands or involve RF transmission^[1].

"Type" means the approval covers a model, not a single unit. Once a model has an ETA, every unit of that model can be imported under it. The ETA is about radio frequency compliance only^[2]; product safety is a separate matter under BIS CRS. The full approval guide is at WPC ETA.

Two layers of law sit behind the ETA: an old customs notification that makes wireless imports licensable, and DoT exemption notifications that free certain bands from licensing.

Under Notification No. 71 of 25 September 1953, issued under the Sea Customs Act, 1878, a licence from the Ministry of Communications is required to import any wireless transmitter, receiver or transceiver, and WPC grants these subject to exemptions and relaxations^[4]. DoT then exempts low-power use of specific bands from licensing, through gazette notifications such as G.S.R. 45(E) for 2.4-2.4835 GHz and G.S.R. 1047(E) of 18 October 2018 for short-range devices^[7]. Devices in those de-licensed frequency bands still need an ETA, now granted on self-declaration^[2].

Any finished product with a radio transmitter in a licence-exempt band. The self-declaration route covers products such as mobile handsets, smartphones, laptops, smart watches, short-range devices, speakers, headphones, earphones, printers, scanners and cameras^[1].

Only bands DoT has made licence-exempt by gazette notification. DoT's list includes 2.4-2.4835 GHz, 5.150-5.350 and 5.725-5.875 GHz, short-range devices, ultra-wideband devices, 865-867 MHz, 433-434.79 MHz and 76-77 GHz, among others^[7].

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth use the 2.4 GHz band, which is licence-exempt under the 2005 low-power rules, G.S.R. 45(E)^[11]. The lower 6 GHz band, 5925-6425 MHz, was reportedly de-licensed for low-power indoor Wi-Fi by G.S.R. 47(E) of 20 January 2026^[12], which matters for Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 routers. Hand-held PMR radios may work without a licence in 446.0-446.2 MHz at up to 500 mW^[13].

If your product transmits outside these bands, self-declaration does not apply and you are into licensed-band rules.

The importer or the manufacturer's authorised Indian representative applies. Customs may accept a self-declaration from either as enough evidence to clear licence-exempt wireless products^[1].

An Indian representative uploads an authorisation from the manufacturer with the application^[1]. If you are an importer buying a model that another importer already approved, ask the brand who holds the ETA before you assume you can rely on it.

You register on Saral Sanchar, fill in the model and RF test details, pay, sign the undertaking and download the certificate. DoT's own sequence is below^[14].

Three: an RF test report, an authorisation from the manufacturer if the applicant is an Indian representative, and technical literature^[1].

The RF test report does not have to come from an Indian lab. In the self-declaration, the importer undertakes that the report was issued by an accredited laboratory, naming the lab and its country^[3]. The undertaking also confirms that the product works only in licence-exempt bands within the gazetted parameters, and it accepts liability to prosecution for a wrong declaration^[3]. The WPC ETA guide covers each document in detail.

The government fee is Rs 10,000 per model^[1]. Testing and consultant help are extra and vary.

Take an importer launching three Bluetooth earbud models. Each model needs its own ETA, because the fee and approval are per model^[1].

• Government fees: 3 x Rs 10,000 = Rs 30,000.
• RF testing, at the consultant estimate of Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 per model^[16]: Rs 45,000 to Rs 1,20,000.
• Total before any consultant: Rs 75,000 to Rs 1,50,000.

If the earbuds come in five colours of the same model, that is still one model for ETA purposes in our reading, since the approval follows the radio design. Earbuds also need BIS CRS for their batteries or chargers where listed; our approval checker shows the full set, and WPC ETA costs breaks down the budget.

For the lifetime of the model, unless the WPC Wing revokes it^[1]. There is no renewal fee or renewal date.

The catch is the word "model". If the radio design, frequency range or power changes, the approval no longer fits. For PMR 446 radios, DoT says the ETA certificate is not valid if the approved parameters change^[10].

Usually not for licence-exempt consumer devices. For devices that are 'Free' under DGFT import policy, the Saral Sanchar undertaking is enough to allow import^[4].

Two cases differ. Licence-exempt devices that are 'Restricted' under DGFT policy need a scrutiny-based ETA and then a separate import licence^[4]. Equipment in licensed bands needs operating, dealer and import licences^[4]. Standalone antennas, cables, connectors and batteries need no WPC import licence, but RF amplifiers do^[4].

No. RF devices in licence-exempt bands imported for testing, prototype or pre-launch purposes are exempt from ETA, but the importer must give Customs an undertaking in the prescribed format^[4].

This is how most importers bring in the units they send for RF testing. Our guide to importing samples for BIS testing covers the BIS side of the same shipment.

An ETA covers radio emissions; MTCTE covers telecom equipment against TEC's Essential Requirements; BIS covers electrical safety. A Wi-Fi router can need all three.

Not yet confirmed. DoT has stopped accepting new applications under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885; authorisations under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 open on the Authorisation Portal from 25 June 2026, and Radio Equipment Possession Authorisation from 6 August 2026^[22]. We have not seen DoT say whether the self-declaration ETA itself moves.

The possession rules matter more for licensed-band radios. Reports say the Radio Equipment Possession Authorisation Rules, 2026 were notified as G.S.R. 592(E) of 8 July 2026^[23]. We track updates on new rules for 2026.

For licence-exempt radio equipment, CCPA guidelines require listings to state the operating frequency ranges, give the ETA details with a downloadable ETA copy and accredited test report, and carry the seller's certification that both are unaltered^[24].

CCPA also defines 'unauthorised devices', which include de-licensed-band radios without an ETA and approved radios whose frequency or power was altered later^[24]. Reports in January 2026 said CCPA fined major platforms Rs 10 lakh each in walkie-talkie listing cases^[25]. See the Amazon listing checklist.

• One ETA for several models. The fee and approval are per model^[1].
• Forgetting MTCTE. Wi-Fi access points and CPE also need TEC MTCTE certification^[6].
• Assuming the ETA covers DGFT. ETA holders remain responsible for any DGFT NOC or clearance^[2]. Laptops and tablets, for example, are reported to need an import authorisation^[26].
• A careless declaration. The importer accepts liability to prosecution for a wrong declaration^[3].
• Changing the radio after approval. An altered device counts as unauthorised under CCPA guidelines^[24].
• Drones on self-declaration. Drones, radar, jammers and satellite equipment are excluded^[1].

For a side-by-side with telecom testing, read WPC ETA vs MTCTE. For a review of your product list, ask for a free compliance check.