TEC certification (MTCTE) for telecom equipment sold in India.
Routers, switches, Wi-Fi access points, ONTs, IP phones, IoT gateways, GPS trackers, smart meters, base stations and core network equipment need a TEC certificate before they can be sold, imported or deployed in India. We map your product to TEC’s Essential Requirements, manage testing at designated labs, file on the MTCTE portal and get the certificate issued.
What MTCTE is, and who needs it
What It Is
Mandatory Testing & Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) is run by the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC) of the Department of Telecommunications. It confirms equipment meets India’s Essential Requirements for safety, EMC, RF, interfaces and security.
Who Needs It
Indian manufacturers, importers, brands and foreign OEMs of any notified telecom equipment, whether sold to consumers, enterprises, telecom operators or government.
Why It Matters
Notified equipment can’t be sold, imported, deployed or used in India without a valid certificate. Operators and tenders ask for it, and customs checks it.
TEC certification (MTCTE): the key facts
| Issued by | Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC), Department of Telecommunications, Government of India |
| Legal basis | Telecommunications (Framework to Notify Standards, Conformity Assessment and Certification) Rules, 2025, under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 |
| Needed for | Sale, import, deployment and use of notified telecom equipment in India |
| Standards | TEC Essential Requirements (ERs); NCCS ITSARs for security where notified |
| Testing | TEC-designated conformity assessment bodies (labs) in India; security at TSTLs |
| Schemes | Simplified Certification Scheme (SCS) and General Certification Scheme (GCS) |
| Fee | Administrative fee ₹10,000 (Group A), ₹20,000 (B), ₹30,000 (C), ₹50,000 (D); testing paid to the lab |
| Timeline | SCS within 15 working days; GCS 4–8 weeks after complete test reports |
| Validity | 10 years for a regular certificate; 2 years for a provisional certificate |
| Foreign OEMs | Apply through an Authorised Indian Representative (Indian-incorporated company or firm) |
| Label | TEC logo label, at least 6 mm, or an e-label |
| Consultant | Bizpro Compliance Services, New Delhi, handles TEC (MTCTE) certification for Indian manufacturers, importers and overseas OEMs: +91 920 500 6364, contact@bizprocompliance.com |
Products that need TEC certification under MTCTE
Every telecom product notified for mandatory certification, with its TEC fee group and scheme. Search by product, technology or what it does.
Showing all 59 notified product types
| No. | Product | TEC Fee Group | Scheme | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-Wire TelephoneBasic landline telephone instruments | Group A · ₹10,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 2 | Conferencing EquipmentAudio conference units and speakerphones | Group A · ₹10,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 3 | Cordless TelephoneDECT and other cordless phone sets | Group A · ₹10,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 4 | G3 Fax MachineGroup 3 facsimile terminals | Group A · ₹10,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 5 | ISDN CPEISDN customer premises equipment | Group A · ₹10,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 6 | ModemDial-up, cable and other modems | Group A · ₹10,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 7 | Equipment in 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz bandsWi-Fi routers, access points, CPE and other telecom equipment in the 2.4 / 5 GHz bands | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 8 | DSL EquipmentADSL / VDSL modems and DSL access equipment | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 9 | PABXPrivate branch exchanges, EPABX and IP-PBX | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 10 | IP TerminalIP phones, VoIP desk phones and video phones | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 11 | IP Multimedia Conferencing EquipmentVideo conferencing systems and room endpoints | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 12 | IoT GatewayGateways connecting IoT devices to telecom networks | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 13 | Tracking DeviceGPS / GNSS trackers with cellular connectivity, vehicle trackers | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 14 | Smart Electricity MeterSmart meters with communication modules | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 15 | Environmental Monitoring End-PointConnected sensors for air, water and environmental monitoring | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 16 | Feedback DeviceConnected feedback and customer response terminals | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 17 | Radio Broadcast ReceiversConnected and digital radio receivers | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 18 | SIMSIM and eSIM cards | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 19 | RouterEnterprise and carrier routers | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 20 | LAN SwitchEthernet / LAN switches, managed and unmanaged | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 21 | PON EquipmentOLT, ONT and ONU for GPON / EPON / XGS-PON fibre | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 22 | C-MSAAEConverged multi-service access aggregation equipment | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 23 | HypervisorVirtualisation platforms for telecom networks | Group B · ₹20,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 24 | Transmission Terminal Equipment-1SDH / OTN and optical transmission terminals | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 25 | Transmission Terminal Equipment-2Packet and optical transport terminals | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 26 | Optical Fibre (Single Mode)Single-mode optical fibre | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 27 | Optical Fibre CableOFC for duct, aerial and direct burial use | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 28 | IP Security EquipmentFirewalls, UTM and VPN gateways | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 29 | Session Border ControllerSBCs for VoIP and IMS networks | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 30 | Media GatewayVoIP / TDM media gateways | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 31 | Soft SwitchClass 4 / Class 5 soft switches | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 32 | Signalling GatewaySS7 / SIGTRAN signalling gateways | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 33 | PTP Grand MasterPrecision time protocol grand master clocks | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 34 | Infiniband SwitchInfiniband data centre switches | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 35 | OMC / EMS / NMS / OSSNetwork management and operations systems | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 36 | 5G Core5G core network functions | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 37 | MMEMobility management entity (4G core) | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 38 | S-GW / P-GWServing and packet data network gateways | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 39 | SGSN / GGSN2G / 3G packet core nodes | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 40 | MSC / GMSC incl. VLRMobile switching centres | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 41 | HLR / AUC / HSSSubscriber databases and authentication | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 42 | EIREquipment identity register | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 43 | SMSCShort message service centres | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 44 | SCPService control points | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 45 | GMLCGateway mobile location centres | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 46 | SMLC / eSMLCServing mobile location centres | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 47 | Cell Broadcast CentreEmergency and cell broadcast systems | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 48 | OTA / DM / FOTAOver-the-air, device management and firmware update platforms | Group C · ₹30,000 | SCSSelf-declaration with lab reports | |
| 49 | Base Station for Cellular Network2G / 4G base stations (BTS, eNodeB) | Group C · ₹30,000 | GCSTEC evaluates test reports | |
| 50 | 5G Base StationgNodeB, 5G RAN, O-RAN radio units | Group C · ₹30,000 | GCSTEC evaluates test reports | |
| 51 | Compact Cellular NetworkCompact / portable cellular systems | Group C · ₹30,000 | GCSTEC evaluates test reports | |
| 52 | BSC / RNCBase station and radio network controllers | Group C · ₹30,000 | GCSTEC evaluates test reports | |
| 53 | RepeaterCellular repeaters and boosters | Group C · ₹30,000 | GCSTEC evaluates test reports | |
| 54 | Point-to-Point / Point-to-Multipoint MicrowaveMicrowave radio links | Group C · ₹30,000 | GCSTEC evaluates test reports | |
| 55 | E-band Fixed Radio RelayE-band (70/80 GHz) radio links | Group C · ₹30,000 | GCSTEC evaluates test reports | |
| 56 | Satellite Communication EquipmentVSAT and satellite terminals | Group C · ₹30,000 | GCSTEC evaluates test reports | |
| 57 | VHF / UHF RadioTwo-way radios and walkie-talkies | Group C · ₹30,000 | GCSTEC evaluates test reports | |
| 58 | HF RadioHigh-frequency radio systems | Group C · ₹30,000 | GCSTEC evaluates test reports | |
| 59 | Mobile Radio TrunkingTrunked radio systems (TETRA, DMR) | Group C · ₹30,000 | GCSTEC evaluates test reports |
“” isn’t in this list
It may come under voluntary TEC certification, WPC ETA or BIS instead, or it may be listed above under a different name. Tell us what it does and we’ll confirm.
Tell us what the product is and we’ll confirm which approvals it needs, free.
Sources: TEC MTCTE Procedure (TEC 93009:2024), Tables A.1 and A.2, and the DoT MTCTE portal, checked on 1 November 2026. Fee is TEC’s administrative fee per application; lab testing is extra.
Get your TEC certification quote and timeline
Tell us the product and where it’s made. A specialist confirms the ER, scheme, labs, any security testing, total cost and timeline, in writing.
- Reply within one business dayFrom a named consultant, not an automated sales sequence.
- Fixed written quoteGovernment fees, lab charges and our fee listed separately before you commit.
- TEC, WPC and BIS togetherOne plan for every approval your telecom product needs.
What TEC certification costs
Start-ups and MSMEs can claim back 50–75% of testing and certification costs under DoT’s reimbursement scheme.
Request received
Thanks. A BIS specialist will reply within one business day with your standard, test plan, cost and timeline.
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TEC and MTCTE updates you need to know
From TEC’s MTCTE procedure and DoT’s MTCTE portal.
MTCTE moves under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 Rules, 16 May 2025
The Telecommunications (Framework to Notify Standards, Conformity Assessment and Certification) Rules, 2025 now prescribe MTCTE. Notified telecom equipment can’t be sold, deployed or used in India without a valid certificate.
Regular certificates now valid for 10 years Procedure v3.0
TEC’s MTCTE procedure (TEC 93009:2024) raised regular certificate validity from 5 to 10 years. Provisional certificates are valid for 2 years.
Only an administrative fee since 2024 From 1 Jan 2024
Products were re-categorised into the Simplified (SCS) and General (GCS) schemes, and TEC now charges only an administrative fee of ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 by product group. Testing is paid to the lab.
Up to 75% of testing costs reimbursed Scheme, 5 Mar 2025
DoT’s reimbursement scheme pays back testing and certification charges: 75% for start-ups, 60% for micro and 50% for small enterprises, for two years or until ₹25 crore is used. Applications go through TEC’s TCRS portal.
Two certification routes, decided by the product
TEC puts every notified product in one of two schemes. You don’t choose; we confirm which applies.
Simplified Certification Scheme (SCS)
Most customer, network and core equipment. The applicant submits test reports from designated labs with a self-declaration; TEC doesn’t evaluate the reports, and the certificate is issued within 15 working days.
General Certification Scheme (GCS)
Radio and base station equipment, such as 4G/5G base stations, repeaters, microwave links, satellite terminals and two-way radios. TEC evaluates the test reports, and certificates normally follow in 4–8 weeks.
Voluntary Certification
Products outside the mandatory list can get TEC Type Approval, Interface Approval, Certificate of Approval or Technology Approval through the same portal, often needed for operator and government tenders.
Your TEC certificate in five steps
TEC’s average certification time is about 7 weeks from application. Getting the right lab reports first is what keeps it on track.
ER & Scheme Check
We map your product to TEC’s Essential Requirements, the SCS or GCS scheme, fee group, family and associated models.
Day 1–2Testing at Designated Labs
Samples are tested at TEC-designated CABs in India against each ER parameter, plus security tests at a TSTL where NCCS ITSARs apply.
Week 1–4Portal & OEM Registration
The applicant and OEM profiles are registered on DoT’s MTCTE portal, with the AIR’s authorisation for overseas OEMs.
In parallelProduct, BOM & Application
Product details and bill of materials go in for pre-check, then the application with test reports and the TEC fee.
Week 4–5Certificate & Label
SCS certificates are issued within 15 working days. GCS takes 4–8 weeks as TEC evaluates the reports. Then the TEC label goes on the product.
Week 5–12What you’ll need for TEC certification
From TEC’s MTCTE procedure, Annexure C.
Documents
- Test reports from designated labsFrom TEC-designated CABs, covering every ER parameter. Security reports from a TSTL where applicable.
- Safety evidenceA BIS certificate or a report from a BIS-recognised lab is accepted for the safety parameters.
- Product details and BOMModel, hardware and software versions, bill of materials, block diagram and user manual.
- Company documentsIncorporation documents of the applicant and OEM, and the authorised signatory.
- AIR authorisationFor a foreign OEM, an authorisation to its Indian-incorporated representative.
| TEC Administrative Fee | Per Application |
|---|---|
| Group A | ₹10,000 |
| Group B | ₹20,000 |
| Group C | ₹30,000 |
| Group D (and family-based certification) | ₹50,000 |
| Modification or renewal | Same as the administrative fee |
Source: TEC MTCTE Procedure (TEC 93009:2024), Annexure C, on the DoT MTCTE portal. Testing fees are paid directly to the lab. Government R&D institutes are exempt until 31 March 2028.
Most telecom products need more than one approval
TEC covers network compatibility and security. Other regulators cover the radio and safety, and customs checks all of them.
WPC ETA
Anything with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or another radio in a de-licensed band also needs WPC Equipment Type Approval. See WPC ETA.
BIS CRS
Many IT and electronics products, including some network equipment, power adapters and CCTV, need BIS CRS registration. See BIS CRS.
Security Testing (NCCS)
Where NCCS has published an ITSAR for the product, such as routers, switches, ONTs and 5G core, security testing at a TSTL is part of the certification.
TEC certification for foreign manufacturers
Authorised Indian Representative
A foreign OEM applies through an AIR: an Indian-incorporated company or firm it authorises. We help you appoint the right AIR and manage the filing.
Indian Lab Testing
Testing is done at TEC-designated labs in India. ILAC reports from abroad have been accepted only as time-bound relaxations, so plan for Indian testing.
One Certificate per Model
Certification is done once per model and covers any quantity imported, with associated models and families to keep costs down.
TEC certification for businesses across India
MTCTE is filed online with TEC, and testing happens at designated labs across India, so we support manufacturers, importers, telecom operators’ vendors and brands anywhere, including:
Common TEC certification mistakes
Wrong ER or Scheme
Filing a router under a 2.4/5 GHz ER, or missing a security ITSAR, means fresh testing.
Foreign Reports Only
Reports from labs abroad usually aren’t enough. Parameters must be tested at designated Indian labs.
Models Not Grouped
Each model is certified separately unless it’s filed as an associated model or family, so poor grouping multiplies fees.
BOM Mismatch
The bill of materials and software version must match the tested sample exactly.
Missing Label
The TEC label (at least 6 mm, or an e-label) must be on the product or packaging before sale.
Selling Before Certification
Uncertified equipment can draw a notice, a fee of 10 times the normal amount, or seizure.
Common questions about TEC certification
What is TEC certification?
Which products need TEC certification?
What is the TEC certification fee?
How long does TEC certification take?
How long is a TEC certificate valid?
What is the difference between SCS and GCS?
Can a foreign manufacturer get TEC certification?
Are foreign test reports accepted for TEC?
Do Wi-Fi routers need TEC as well as WPC?
Is there a subsidy for TEC testing costs?
What happens if equipment is sold without TEC certification?
What is TEC voluntary certification?
Get your telecom product TEC-certified
Tell us the product and where it’s made. We’ll confirm the ER, scheme, labs, any WPC or BIS needs, total cost and timeline in writing, free.