India's #1 Compliance Partner

WPC Registration

WPC Approval, issued as Equipment Type Approval (ETA) by the WPC Wing of the Department of Telecommunications, is mandatory to...

Free Consultation

25,000+

Clients

200+

Certifications

25+

Years

Pan-India

Presence

Get expert consultation

Trusted by 25,000+ leading enterprises worldwide

Key takeaways

WPC Approval is a compulsory certification from the WPC Wing of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) for wireless and RF devices in India.
It is required for products such as Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, drones and walkie-talkies.
WPC Approval consists of Equipment Type Approval (ETA) and an Import License.
The WPC Wing was established in 1952 under the Ministry of Communications and is headquartered in New Delhi, with regional offices in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Guwahati.
Devices that operate only in de-licensed frequency bands (2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz and 5.825 GHz to 5.827 GHz) do not need WPC Approval.
Applications are filed online through the Saral Sanchar portal.
Foreign manufacturers must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR); we can act as your AIR.

Overview

What is WPC ETA Approval?

WPC Approval, commonly known as Equipment Type Approval (ETA), is a certification process that ensures consumer protection and establishes a licensing framework for radio operations in India. It is managed by the Office of Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) under the Ministry of Communications, which was established in 1952.

The WPC Wing of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is responsible for spectrum management and for licensing wireless users across the country. Only WPC ETA approved wireless and Bluetooth products that operate in unlicensed frequency bands and meet safety standards may be sold in India.

Who needs WPC Certification

Manufacturers of telecom and wireless products
Importers of wireless devices into India
Sellers and distributors marketing them locally
Brands launching Wi-Fi routers and Bluetooth speakers
Makers of drones, RFID devices and walkie-talkies
Foreign manufacturers entering the Indian market

Scope

Types and frequency rules

WPC Certification allocates spectrum and frequency bands so that all wireless devices operate efficiently and free of interference. Not every device needs approval, products that work only in de-licensed bands are exempt.

Approval type	Who needs it
Equipment Type Approval (ETA)	Manufacturers and importers of wireless and RF equipment that operate in de-licensed bands.
Import License	Businesses importing wireless communication devices into India.

Frequency band	Status
2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz	De-licensed, no WPC approval required (typical Wi-Fi and Bluetooth)
5.825 GHz to 5.827 GHz	De-licensed, no WPC approval required
Other RF bands	Approval required where the device operates outside de-licensed ranges

Why it matters

Benefits of WPC Approval

Legal sales

Manufacture, import and sell wireless products in India without the risk of fines or debarment.

Customs clearance

An import licence proves compliance and supports timely clearance of wireless shipments.

Telecom compliance

For manufacturers, ETA is proof of compliance with Indian telecom standards.

Customer trust

For sellers, approval enhances credibility and reliability with the end customer.

Interference-free use

Spectrum licensing keeps wireless devices operating safely without harmful interference.

Market advantage

Certification signals legal, safe and trusted products in a competitive Indian market.

Compliance

Why WPC Approval is mandatory

The WPC Wing of the Department of Telecommunications licenses all wireless devices and monitors frequencies so that communication networks stay safe from interference. WPC Certification is compulsory in India for anyone involved with wireless or radio frequency (RF) devices. Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth speakers, drones, RFID devices and walkie-talkies cannot be sold legally unless WPC Approval has been obtained, or unless they operate only in de-licensed frequency bands.

What non-compliance can cost you

Imposition of a fine for selling, manufacturing or importing without approval.
Debarment from the activity, or both a fine and debarment.
Goods held up or rejected at customs on import.
Loss of credibility and trust with the end customer.

How it works

The application process, step by step

The process is filed online through the Saral Sanchar portal. The exact path depends on the equipment, and foreign manufacturers apply through an Authorized Indian Representative.

Prepare and verify

Compliance verification
Examine the EN standard and frequency range in the RF test report. If the device falls under de-licensed bands, a self-declaration certificate is issued.
Identify standards
Determine which Indian standards apply, for example Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or cellular, often based on international standards with India specific requirements.
Prepare documentation
Compile the technical dossier, including specifications, block diagrams, test reports from accredited labs, user manuals and proof of registration.
Conduct testing
Have the device tested in an accredited lab recognised by WPC; this may involve sending product samples.

Apply and approve

Appoint an AIR
Foreign applicants appoint an Authorized Indian Representative to manage the application. Diligence Certifications can act as your AIR.
File on Saral Sanchar
Register on the Saral Sanchar portal, obtain login credentials and prepare the ETA application with the test reports.
Pay fees and submit
Pay the government fees online, then submit all required documents, online and offline, to the WPC authority for the specific licence.
Receive the certificate
WPC verifies the documents and RF test report. Once satisfied, the Equipment Type Approval certificate is granted.

Paperwork

Documents required

Copy of company registration
Copy of company GST registration
ID and address proof of an authorized person
Radio frequency test report from an ISO 17025 accredited foreign lab or any NABL accredited Indian lab
Letter of Authorization
Product technical details
IEC and purchase order in case of import
Receipt of online fee and test report (CE, RoHS, ASTM or EN)

Lifecycle

Validity & renewal

The ETA certificate is generally valid for the entire lifecycle of the product.
No renewal is required unless the product design, frequency or model changes.
An import licence may be limited to a specific shipment or a defined time period, as determined by WPC.
Fresh approval is required for technical modifications such as a new frequency, design or model.

Need related approvals? See our WPC Import License, Equipment Type Approval and TEC Approval services.

Budgeting

Fees and cost factors

Certification fees vary with the product and the approval category. The typical components are:

Cost factor	Details
Product type and category	Charges differ for ETA versus an Import License.
RF testing	Cost of testing at an accredited lab, based on the device.
Application and processing	Government application and processing charges paid through the portal.
Documentation	Preparation and submission of the technical dossier.

Not sure if your device needs WPC Approval?

Tell us the product and its frequency band, and we will confirm whether ETA or an import licence applies and map the documents and timeline.

Get a free assessment

Official source

Wireless equipment approvals are granted by the WPC Wing, Department of Telecommunications.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is WPC Approval?

WPC (Wireless Planning and Coordination) Approval is mandatory for importing, manufacturing or selling wireless products in India. It ensures compliance with Equipment Type Approval (ETA) regulations for RF devices such as Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth speakers, drones and IoT gadgets.

Which products need WPC ETA Certification?

Any product operating on unlicensed radio frequencies needs ETA Certification. Common examples include Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices, wireless keyboards and mice, smartwatches and wearables, drones and remote-controlled toys, and Zigbee, RFID and LoRa devices.

How long does WPC certification take?

The process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks, depending on document accuracy and product compliance. Complete and correct documentation helps avoid delays and speeds up approval.

Do foreign brands need an Authorized Indian Representative?

Yes. Foreign brands must appoint an Authorized Indian Representative (AIR) to apply on their behalf. The same AIR designated in the ETA application is used to obtain the import licence. Diligence Certifications provides AIR services for global brands.

What documents are needed for the ETA certificate?

You need an RF test report from an accredited lab, the product datasheet and technical details, an authorization letter for foreign manufacturers, and importer and manufacturer details.

Is the WPC ETA certificate renewed?

The ETA certificate is generally valid for the entire lifecycle of the product and needs no renewal unless the product design, frequency or model changes. Import licences may be tied to a shipment cycle and renewed accordingly.

25,000+

Clients served

200+

Certifications

100+

Experts

25+

Years

Why Diligence

Why choose Diligence Certification?

For compliance and credibility, Diligence is much more than a checklist - we give you real confidence in your business. We examine your legal, financial and operational status, so you are not just certified, but trusted.

Stronger risk protection

Spot hidden legal, financial or operational risks early - fix problems before they become threats.

Earn stakeholder trust

From investors to customers, people want to work with businesses that play by the rules.

Stay legally aligned

Compliant not just on products but on labour, environmental and tax laws too.

Enhance brand reputation

Show the world you operate with integrity and transparency.

Stand out from competitors

In a crowded market, credibility is your biggest edge.

24×7 expert support

A 100+ strong service team guiding you at every step, free first consultation.

Real sites, real certifications

Our teams work inside factories and plants across India and abroad - inspections, audits and certification milestones spanning BIS, global schemes and the full compliance stack you see on this site.