DOT Notifies Rules For Possession Of Radio Equipment

On 8 July 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has notified the Telecommunications (Radio Equipment Possession Authorisation) Rules, 2026 (Rules). The Rules operationalise the authorisation requirement under Section 3(1)(c) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (Telecom Act) for possession of radio equipment, while also identifying categories of persons and equipment for which a separate possession authorisation is not required.

The Rules are relevant for companies that handle radio equipment as part of their products, operations or testing activities (such as telecom and network equipment manufacturers, importers and distributors), companies that sell or lease wireless devices, companies undertaking product trials, proof-of-concept deployments involving radio equipment. They will also be relevant to businesses procuring specialised wireless equipment for internal use.