WPC Approval for wireless devices in India

WPC De-Licensed Frequency Bands in India: The Complete 2026 Guide for Manufacturers & Importers

Every wireless product sold in India — from a Bluetooth earbud to an industrial RFID scanner — transmits on a radio frequency, and every radio frequency in India is governed by the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications. Before a manufacturer or importer can legally place a wireless device on the Indian market, they must answer one fundamental question: does the device operate in a licensed band or a de-licensed band? The answer determines everything that follows. Devices operating in de-licensed (licence-exempt) bands can be imported and sold with a WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) obtained through a fast, online self-declaration route. Devices operating outside these bands face a far more demanding regime involving import licences, frequency assignment, and case-by-case scrutiny. Getting this classification wrong at the design or procurement stage is one of the most expensive compliance mistakes a wireless product company can make — shipments held at customs, launch dates missed, and in the worst cases, redesigns of the RF front end itself. This guide consolidates every de-licensing gazette notification issued by the WPC Wing into a single reference, explains the WPC ETA approval process step by step, and sets out the documents, timelines, and pitfalls that manufacturers and importers must plan for in 2026. What Does “De-Licensed” Mean in Indian Spectrum Law? Under the Indian Telegraph Act and the wireless regulatory framework administered by the DoT, the default legal position is that operating a wireless transmitter requires a licence. The WPC Wing, established in 1952, is the national radio regulatory authority responsible for frequency spectrum management, licensing, and ensuring that wireless devices do not cause harmful interference. To enable mass-market wireless technologies — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, short-range remotes, medical implants — the Government of India has progressively exempted specific frequency bands from the licensing requirement through Gazette of India notifications (GSR notifications). A device operating within one of these de-licensed bands, and within the power limits and technical conditions specified in the relevant notification, may be used without an individual wireless operating licence. De-licensed does not mean unregulated. Three conditions still apply: The device must operate strictly within the notified frequency range. It must comply with the maximum transmit power, field strength, duty cycle, and bandwidth conditions in the notification. The device model must hold a WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) before import and sale — now issued via self-declaration for de-licensed-band devices. The consolidated list of licence-exempt bands is also reflected in Annexure-1 of the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP), the most recent release of which was published in 2025. The Complete List of WPC De-Licensed Frequency Bands in India The table below consolidates the gazette notifications regarding de-licensing bands issued by the WPC Wing, DoT. Each notification defines the band, the permitted application, and the technical conditions. S.No Frequency Band Gazette Notification Purpose / Applications 1 9–50 kHz GSR 83 (E) dated 11.02.2014 Very low power radio frequency devices including Radio Frequency Identification Devices (RFID) 2 50–200 kHz GSR 90 (E) dated 10.02.2009 Very low power radio frequency devices including RFID 3 302–351 kHz GSR 697 (E) dated 16.09.2015 Very low power devices for inductive applications 4 302–435 kHz; 855–1050 kHz; 1.89–2.30 MHz GSR 996 (E) dated 05.10.2018 Very low power devices for inductive applications 5 148.5–3155 kHz (and further inductive sub-bands up to 30 MHz) GSR 870 (E) dated 21.12.2021 Very low power devices for inductive applications (field-strength limited, dBµA/m) 6 13.553–13.567 MHz GSR 884 (E) dated 04.11.2010 Very low power devices for indoor applications (NFC, 13.56 MHz RFID) 7 26.957–27.283 MHz GSR 35 (E) dated 10.01.2007 & GSR 533 (E) dated 12.08.2005 Low power citizen band (CB) equipment, including use in motion or during halts 8 36–38 MHz GSR 696 (E) dated 16.09.2015 Very low power wireless microphones 9 335.7125–335.8375 MHz (six spot frequencies) GSR 34 (E) dated 10.01.2007 & GSR 532 (E) dated 12.08.2005 Low power wireless equipment for remote control of cranes 10 402–405 MHz GSR 673 (E) dated 23.09.2008 Medical Implant Communication Systems (MICS) and Medical Implant Telemetry Systems (MITS) 11 433–434 MHz GSR 680 (E) dated 12.09.2012 Low power devices for indoor applications 12 433–434.79 MHz GSR 698 (E) dated 16.09.2015 Very low power devices including RFID 13 865–867 MHz GSR 564 (E) dated 30.07.2008 Low power RFID equipment (UHF RFID) 14 Multiple short-range device bands: 6.765–6.795 MHz; 30–37.5 MHz; 87.5–108 MHz; 169.4–169.8125 MHz; 401–402 MHz; 405–406 MHz; 446–446.2 MHz; 2400–2483.5 MHz; 2446–2454 MHz; 2483.5–2500 MHz; 5725–5875 MHz; 24.05–24.5 GHz; 61–61.5 GHz GSR 1047 (E) dated 18.10.2018 Low power and very low power short range devices (SRDs): inductive devices, active medical implants, high duty cycle devices, assistive listening devices, PMR 446, radio determination, RFID, transport & traffic telematics, non-specific SRDs 15 2.4–2.4835 GHz GSR 45 (E) dated 28.01.2005 Low power WLAN / Bluetooth / IEEE 802.11b equipment 16 5.150–5.250 GHz; 5.250–5.350 GHz; 5.470–5.725 GHz; 5.725–5.875 GHz GSR 1048 (E) dated 18.10.2018 Low power wireless access points, fixed point-to-point access, mobile and portable client devices including RLAN, indoor and outdoor 17 76–77 GHz GSR 699 (E) dated 16.09.2015 Very low power short range radar systems (automotive radar) 18 1.6–10.6 GHz and above 10.6 GHz (UWB) GSR 1046 (E) dated 18.10.2018 Very low power ultra-wideband (UWB) devices: generic UWB, location tracking, road/rail vehicle UWB, material sensing, building material analysis 19 5925–6425 MHz (Lower 6 GHz) GSR 316 (E) Low power and very low power wireless access systems including RLAN in the Lower 6 GHz band (Wi-Fi 6E/7) Each of these notifications carries detailed technical conditions — maximum e.r.p or e.i.r.p, field-strength limits for inductive bands, duty-cycle limits, channel spacing, and in several cases references to harmonised European standards (EN 300 220, EN 300 330, EN 300 440, EN 302 065 and others) that define the test methodology. Compliance is demonstrated through an RF test report assessed against these parameters. Why the De-Licensed Classification Matters Commercially The commercial consequences of the licensed/de-licensed distinction are substantial. Market access speed. A device in a
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BIS ISI certification for bunk beds in India under IS 18033

BIS ISI Certification for Bunk Beds in India: Complete Compliance Guide

Bunk beds — including two-tier bunk beds, triple bunk beds, and loft beds for children and adults — are subject to mandatory BIS ISI Mark certification under the Furniture Quality Control Order in India, with enhanced safety requirements reflecting the fall and entrapment hazards of elevated sleeping. Bunk beds carry the most stringent safety requirements of any furniture category under the BIS Furniture QCO. Mandatory BIS ISI Mark certification requires a factory audit by a BIS officer, in-plant quality management verification, and ongoing product testing through periodic surveillance. Non-compliance attracts market withdrawal, seizure of goods, and prosecution under the BIS Act 2016. This guide covers the applicable Indian Standards, mandatory testing requirements, the step-by-step FMCS licence process, documentary requirements, and the most critical compliance pitfalls for this product category in 2026. Applicable Indian Standards IS 18033 : 2023 — Bunk beds and high beds — Safety requirements and test methods IS 18028 — Furniture — General safety requirements and test methods Applicable QCO — Furniture (Quality Control) Order, as notified by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry IS 18033 applies rigorous entrapment testing (head, neck, and body), guard rail height and gap verification, ladder strength and angle testing, and elevated berth structural load testing — all reflecting the severe injury risk from entrapment and falls from the upper bunk. Mandatory Tests for BIS ISI Certification for Bunk Beds BIS-approved laboratories and BIS officers evaluate the following key areas during type-testing and factory audit: Entrapment Testing Head, neck, and body entrapment probe tests on all openings in the guard rail, headboard, footboard, and ladder — a critical safety test unique to bunk beds. Guard Rail Safety Guard rail height above the mattress surface, gap below the guard rail, and guard rail structural strength under outward lateral load. Ladder Strength & Angle Ladder rung load capacity, ladder mounting security at both top and bottom attachment points, and ladder angle compliance. Upper Berth Structural Load Static and dynamic (drop impact) load on the upper sleeping surface; slat system integrity and cross-beam strength under full occupant load. Step-by-Step BIS ISI Mark (FMCS) Licence Process Key facts: Annual licence renewal | 2–4 months typical licence grant | Strictest furniture safety category. Documents Required Technical Note: For bunk beds intended for children under 6 years old, IS 18033 prescribes additional entrapment probe tests specific to this age group. Manufacturers targeting the children’s bedroom market must confirm the applicable age range and test probe set before submitting samples for BIS testing. Common Causes of Licence Rejection or Suspension Special Considerations for Importers Bunk beds imported into India must carry the ISI Mark and meet IS 18033 requirements before customs clearance under the Furniture QCO. Given the elevated fall and entrapment risk for children, BIS enforces this category with particular rigour at the port of entry. Why Choose PCN India Global PCN India Global manages end-to-end BIS ISI Mark (FMCS) certification for bunk beds in India — from IS 18033 entrapment testing to licence grant and surveillance. Contact us: WhatsApp +91 92895 87478 or email bdm@pcnindiaglobal.com.

Solar Panel Compliance in India: BIS Standards & the ALMM List Explained

India’s solar push is one of the largest clean-energy programmes in the world, and the compliance framework behind it has become correspondingly strict. For anyone manufacturing, importing, or supplying solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, two acronyms dominate the conversation: BIS and ALMM. They are related but distinct, and understanding how they fit together is the difference between a module that can be used in subsidised projects and one that is effectively locked out of the market. In simple terms, BIS certification proves a module meets India’s technical safety and quality standards, while ALMM — the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers, maintained by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) — is the gateway list that determines which modules and manufacturers are eligible for government and government-assisted projects. BIS is the foundation; ALMM is the door it unlocks. This guide explains both, including the significant List-II change that took effect in June 2026. 1. The Two Layers: BIS and ALMM It helps to think of solar compliance in India as two stacked layers: The relationship is sequential: a manufacturer first secures BIS certification for its module, then applies to have that model and manufacturing line enrolled on the ALMM. Without the BIS foundation, ALMM is simply not possible. 2. The BIS Standards for Solar Modules Solar PV modules are certified against a set of Indian Standards harmonised with international IEC norms. The core standards include: Standard Scope IS 14286 Design qualification and type approval of terrestrial PV modules (aligned with IEC 61215) IS / IEC 61730 PV module safety qualification — construction and testing requirements IS 16077 / IS 16221 Safety and performance requirements for terrestrial PV modules These standards test a module’s ability to withstand real-world conditions — thermal cycling, humidity, mechanical load, insulation, and more. Certification is handled through the BIS conformity process applicable to PV modules, and it forms the technical evidence MNRE relies on for ALMM enrolment. 3. Understanding ALMM List-I and List-II ALMM is structured in two lists that correspond to different points in the solar supply chain: This two-list structure reflects a deliberate policy: it is not enough for the finished panel to be approved; increasingly, the cells inside it must also come from approved sources. 4. The June 2026 Change: Cell Sourcing Under List-II Key development: ALMM List-II for domestically produced solar cells came into force on 1 June 2026. From that date, modules must use cells sourced from List-II-approved manufacturers in order to qualify for government subsidies and project approvals. In practice this means a module maker can no longer rely solely on its own List-I module listing — it must also ensure the cells it uses come from an approved List-II source. For importers and integrators, this is a structural shift. A panel that was acceptable purely on the strength of List-I module approval may now fall short if its cells are not from a List-II source. Supply-chain documentation — proving where the cells originate — has become a compliance requirement in its own right. Manufacturers planning to supply the government-driven segment of the market must map their cell sourcing against List-II well ahead of bidding. 5. Why ALMM Matters Commercially ALMM is not a safety mandate that applies to every single solar sale; rather, it is a powerful market-access gate. The vast majority of India’s solar deployment is connected in some way to government schemes, subsidies, open access, or net metering — and all of those channels require ALMM-listed modules. A module that is BIS-certified but not ALMM-listed can still exist in the market, but it is shut out of the largest and most bankable segment of demand. In other words, for a serious solar business in India, ALMM listing is effectively commercial oxygen. That is why manufacturers treat the BIS-then-ALMM pathway as a strategic priority rather than a paperwork afterthought. 6. The Pathway: From BIS to ALMM 7. Common Pitfalls 8. Domestic Content Requirements and the Push for Local Manufacturing ALMM does not exist in isolation. It is one instrument in a broader policy that aims to build a self-reliant Indian solar manufacturing base — from modules down to cells and, eventually, wafers and ingots. A related concept that solar suppliers encounter is the Domestic Content Requirement (DCR), which mandates that modules used in certain government schemes be made in India using domestically manufactured components. The List-II cell-sourcing rule that took effect in June 2026 should be read against this backdrop: the direction of travel is steadily toward deeper localisation of the supply chain. For an importer or an assembler, this matters strategically. A business model built purely on importing finished modules — or on assembling modules from imported cells — faces a narrowing path into the subsidised and government-linked segments of the market. Conversely, manufacturers who invest in domestic cell sourcing and List-II-compliant supply chains position themselves to capture the largest and most policy-protected share of demand. Understanding where your products sit on this spectrum is now a core part of solar business planning, not just a compliance detail. 9. Practical Steps for Importers and Developers Whether you are a module supplier or a developer specifying panels for a project, a disciplined approach keeps you on the right side of both BIS and ALMM: 10. Quality, Bankability, and Why Standards Matter Behind the regulatory machinery, the purpose of BIS certification and ALMM is to ensure that the solar modules deployed across India actually perform and last. Solar projects are long-term assets, often financed on the expectation of 20 or 25 years of generation. A module that degrades prematurely or fails in the field does not just disappoint a single buyer — it undermines the financial model of the entire project and the confidence of the lenders and investors behind it. This is where standards and bankability intersect. Financiers and large developers increasingly treat BIS certification and ALMM listing as baseline criteria for a module to be considered bankable. A panel that cannot demonstrate compliance is difficult to
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BIS Certification Cost and Timeline India 2026

BIS Certification Cost & Timeline in India 2026: A Complete Breakdown

“How much will it cost and how long will it take?” is the first question almost every manufacturer asks about BIS certification — and the honest answer is: it depends. Cost and timeline vary with the certification route, the product, the number of models, and how clean your documentation is. But “it depends” doesn’t help you plan, so here is a realistic breakdown of what to budget for in 2026. 1. First, Know Which Route Applies to You BIS certification isn’t one process. The route determines both the cost and the timeline: 2. Typical Cost Components Whatever the route, your total cost is built from the same building blocks: Cost component What it covers Notes Product testing Lab charges per model against the applicable IS Largest variable; rises with multiple models/series BIS application & registration fees Government fees payable to BIS Fixed schedule; varies by scheme Factory audit (ISI/FMCS only) On-site inspection of the manufacturing unit Adds auditor travel & time; not in CRS AIR / representative Authorised Indian Representative for foreign makers Mandatory for overseas applicants Consultant / filing support Documentation, coordination, query handling Optional but reduces rejection risk As a real-world anchor: a single power-bank model under CRS typically runs in the region of ₹28,000 to ₹1.5 lakh per model once testing and fees are combined — and that figure scales up with every additional model or variant you add. 3. Realistic Timelines Timelines depend heavily on lab queue times and document readiness, but as a planning baseline: 4. The Hidden Costs Importers Forget 5. How to Keep Costs and Time Down The cheapest certification is the one that clears on the first attempt. Confirm the correct standard before testing, use a BIS-recognised lab, keep brand/model names consistent across every document, and start 4–6 months ahead of any deadline. The money lost to a rejected application — re-testing, re-filing, and missed sales windows — almost always dwarfs the cost of getting it right up front. How PCN India Global Can Help Our compliance team manages documentation, lab-test coordination, AIR/AR appointment, and end-to-end filing so your application clears the first time. Call +91 80109 05029, email bdm@pcnindiaglobal.com, or visit pcnindiaglobal.com to get started.

One of India's leading independent consultancy bodies providing compliance, certification, and regulatory services to international and domestic players in electronics, IT, chemical, and electrical sectors.

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