Ultra-wideband is the quiet revolution inside the last few generations of flagship devices. The precise “find my keys” arrow on a phone locating a tracker tag, digital car keys that unlock only when the owner is actually beside the door, indoor positioning systems tracking assets to within centimetres in a warehouse, radar sensors detecting a child left in a rear seat — all of these are UWB applications, and their numbers are growing rapidly across consumer, automotive, and industrial markets. UWB works differently from conventional radio. Instead of transmitting relatively high power in a narrow channel, it spreads extremely low power across gigahertz of bandwidth — power levels so low they sit near the noise floor of other services. This unusual profile requires its own regulatory treatment, and India provides it through GSR 1046 (E) dated 18.10.2018, the gazette notification de-licensing very low power ultra-wideband devices. Every UWB-equipped device model imported into or sold in India requires WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA), obtainable through the self-declaration route because the UWB framework is licence-exempt. This guide explains what GSR 1046 (E) permits, which products it covers, how UWB interacts with the other radios in a modern device, and the step-by-step ETA process. What GSR 1046 (E) Permits GSR 1046 (E) de-licenses the use of very low power ultra-wideband devices across two frequency regions: between 1.6 GHz and 10.6 GHz, and above 10.6 GHz. Within these regions, the notification enumerates five permitted device categories: Category Description Typical Products 1. Generic UWB device usage General-purpose UWB communication and ranging Phones, tags, wearables, digital key modules 2. Location tracking systems Real-time locating systems (RTLS) Warehouse asset tracking, sports analytics, personnel safety 3. UWB in road and rail vehicles Vehicle-installed UWB In-cabin radar, keyless entry, occupant detection 4. Material sensing devices UWB-based material analysis Wall scanners, stud finders, pipe detectors 5. Building material analysis devices Construction diagnostics Concrete inspection, rebar imaging The referenced measurement standards are the EN 302 065 series (parts 1, 2, and 3), the harmonised European framework for UWB communication devices, location tracking, and vehicular applications. UWB compliance is expressed in power spectral density masks — maximum e.i.r.p density (dBm/MHz) varying by frequency — rather than a single power number, which is why UWB test reports look different from conventional RF reports. In practice, the global UWB ecosystem (IEEE 802.15.4z, the FiRa consortium profiles, and the major chipset implementations) operates chiefly in channels 5 (6.5 GHz) and 9 (8 GHz), comfortably inside the 1.6–10.6 GHz region that GSR 1046 (E) de-licenses. Why UWB Regulation Looks Different: A Short Technical Primer Conventional radio regulation assigns narrow channels and polices the power transmitted within them. UWB inverts the model: the signal occupies at least 500 MHz of bandwidth, and the regulatory question becomes how much energy falls into each megahertz of spectrum shared with other services. That is why UWB limits are written as power spectral density masks — a curve of maximum e.i.r.p density (in dBm/MHz) across frequency — rather than as a single output-power figure. The engineering consequence is that compliance depends on the whole transmission chain: pulse shape, spreading, antenna response across gigahertz of bandwidth, and enclosure effects all shape the measured PSD. Two devices using the same UWB chipset can produce materially different emission profiles depending on antenna integration. This is why module-level test data, while useful, seldom fully answers the device-level question, and why UWB testing belongs in the project plan as its own line item rather than an appendix to the Bluetooth test. For planning purposes, teams should also understand the interplay between ranging and communication. IEEE 802.15.4z-era UWB (the basis of FiRa-profile secure ranging in phones, tags, and car keys) transmits short bursts at low duty cycle — a profile that sits comfortably within very-low-power regulatory frameworks. Data-heavy UWB applications push closer to the mask and demand more careful characterisation. Either way, the Indian framework’s application categories (generic usage, location tracking, vehicular, material sensing, building analysis) are broad enough to accommodate the mainstream ecosystem, provided the filing identifies the right category and the evidence matches it. Products That Need UWB ETA Coverage Smartphones and tablets with UWB chips — the UWB radio must be covered in the device ETA alongside Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC. Item finders and smart tags (UWB trackers) — require ETA; most also contain BLE, which needs parallel coverage. Digital car key and vehicle access modules — UWB anchors and key fobs in vehicles fall under the road/rail vehicle category. In-cabin radar and child-presence detection sensors — vehicle-installed UWB radar. RTLS infrastructure — anchors, tags, and gateways for industrial and healthcare real-time location systems. Wall scanners and material analysers — construction tools using UWB sensing. UWB development kits and modules — commercial imports require ETA like finished goods. Access control and secure-entry systems using UWB ranging for proximity verification. Use-Case Deep Dives Smart tags and item finders. The tag itself files as a generic UWB device with companion BLE. The phone that locates it relies on its own multi-radio ETA. Brands importing tags at consumer scale should note that coin-cell-powered tags also engage battery EPR obligations, and that marketplace listings for trackers are increasingly checked for approval evidence. Digital car keys. Vehicle access systems place UWB anchors around the car body and a UWB radio in the key fob or phone. The anchors and fob are the manufacturer’s filings (vehicle category); phone-as-key uses the handset’s approvals. Automotive programmes should align WPC evidence with the vehicle homologation timetable, since anchor part numbers freeze early in the platform cycle. RTLS in industry and healthcare. Warehouse and hospital RTLS involves anchors (mains-powered, often PoE), tags (battery), and network infrastructure. Anchors and tags are separate models requiring separate coverage, and deployments frequently add Wi-Fi backhaul radios to anchors — which must be declared. Buyers issuing RTLS tenders should demand ETA certificates per model as a tender condition; it is the cleanest way to keep an installation project off the customs critical path. In-cabin sensing and child-presence detection.

Not every radio transmitter looks like a radio. A Qi wireless charging pad, an induction-based toothbrush charger, an EV charging system, a wireless power bank, an inductive proximity sensor, a metal detector, an anti-theft EAS gate at a shop exit — all of these devices generate radio-frequency magnetic fields in the kilohertz range, and in Indian law they are wireless equipment regulated by the WPC Wing of the Department of Telecommunications, exactly like a Wi-Fi router. The regulatory framework for these inductive applications is built on a family of gazette notifications de-licensing bands from 9 kHz up to 30 MHz, with limits expressed not in transmit watts but in magnetic field strength — dBµA/m measured at 10 metres. The modern cornerstone is GSR 870 (E) dated 21.12.2021, which consolidated field-strength limits across the low-frequency spectrum, alongside the earlier GSR 697 (E) and GSR 996 (E) inductive notifications and the RFID-oriented GSR 83 (E) and GSR 90 (E). Every wireless charger and inductive device model imported into or sold in India requires WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) — available through self-declaration because these bands are de-licensed. This guide explains the notifications, the field-strength logic, the ETA process, and the pitfalls specific to inductive products. Why Wireless Chargers Are “Wireless” in Law Inductive power transfer works by driving an alternating current through a coil, creating an oscillating magnetic field that induces current in a receiving coil. Qi chargers typically operate around 100–300 kHz; EV charging systems sit in defined kHz ranges; NFC-adjacent charging arrives at 13.56 MHz. Although the intent is power transfer rather than communication, the oscillating field is a radio-frequency emission capable of interfering with services sharing or neighbouring the spectrum — navigation beacons, time-signal broadcasts, AM radio. Regulators therefore treat inductive equipment as intentional radiators, subject to emission limits and type approval. The Inductive De-Licensing Notifications GSR 870 (E) dated 21.12.2021 — The Consolidated Field-Strength Framework GSR 870 (E) is the key modern notification for very low power radio frequency devices or equipment for inductive applications. It specifies magnetic field-strength limits, measured at 10 metres, across a ladder of sub-bands: Frequency Band Field-Strength Limit (at 10 m) Typical Uses 9–90 kHz 72 dBµA/m Inductive systems, LF sensing 90–119 kHz 42 dBµA/m Inductive applications 119–135 kHz 66 dBµA/m LF RFID, animal ID region 135–140 kHz 42 dBµA/m Inductive applications 140–148.5 kHz 37.7 dBµA/m Inductive applications 148.5–5000 kHz (except 3155–3400 kHz) −15 dBµA/m in 10 kHz BW Wideband inductive; loop-coil external antennas only 3155–3400 kHz 13.5 dBµA/m Inductive applications 5000–30000 kHz (with sub-band exceptions) −20 dBµA/m in 10 kHz BW HF inductive 7400–8800 kHz 9 dBµA/m Inductive applications 10200–11000 kHz 9 dBµA/m Inductive applications 6765–6795 kHz (GSR 1047 E) 42 dBµA/m Inductive SRD band Two technical notes recur in the notification: where external antennas are used, only loop-coil antennas are permitted, and for systems operating with bandwidths larger than 10 kHz, the total field strength may reach −5 dBµA/m at 10 m provided the density limit per 10 kHz is maintained. The reference measurement standard family is EN 300 330. The practical consequence for Qi chargers is that the 100–300 kHz operating region spans several sub-bands with different limits — a charger fundamental at 127.7 kHz sits in the 119–135 kHz / 66 dBµA/m segment, while its harmonics and spurious emissions fall into stricter neighbouring segments. Compliance is a matter of measured field strength across the whole emission profile, not just the fundamental. GSR 697 (E) dated 16.09.2015 — 302–351 kHz De-licensed 302–351 kHz for very low power devices for inductive applications — a band relevant to certain EV charging and industrial power-transfer designs. GSR 996 (E) dated 05.10.2018 — 302–435 kHz, 855–1050 kHz, 1.89–2.30 MHz Extended inductive de-licensing to three further ranges, giving designers additional room for power-transfer fundamentals and inductive signalling. The 302–435 kHz range in particular aligns with several wireless power standards’ upper operating region. GSR 83 (E) and GSR 90 (E) — 9–50 kHz and 50–200 kHz RFID The earlier notifications covering very low power devices including RFID in 9–50 kHz (GSR 83 (E) dated 11.02.2014) and 50–200 kHz (GSR 90 (E) dated 10.02.2009) remain the reference for LF RFID and legacy inductive systems, and overlap the Qi operating region in the 100–200 kHz segment. 13.553–13.567 MHz — GSR 884 (E) NFC-based charging and 13.56 MHz inductive systems rely on GSR 884 (E) dated 04.11.2010, which de-licensed the band for very low power indoor devices. Products That Need ETA Under the Inductive Framework Qi wireless charging pads, stands, multi-device chargers, and charging-capable power banks Wireless charging modules embedded in furniture, vehicles, and appliances Magnetic-attach charging accessories for phones, earbuds, and wearables Electric toothbrush, shaver, and small-appliance inductive chargers EV wireless charging systems and inductive charging infrastructure Inductive proximity sensors and industrial position sensors Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) gates and deactivators Metal detectors (walk-through, handheld, industrial) LF RFID readers, animal identification readers, and immobiliser systems Induction-based data couplers and near-field communication chargers A phone that receives wireless charge is generally assessed through its overall device approvals; the transmitting pad is the article squarely inside the inductive ETA framework. Understanding dBµA/m: A Practical Primer for Product Teams Because inductive limits are unfamiliar to teams used to conventional RF, a short translation is worth the space. dBµA/m expresses magnetic field strength (H-field) in decibels relative to one microampere per metre, measured at a defined distance — 10 metres in the Indian notifications. Unlike e.i.r.p limits, which describe radiated power, H-field limits describe the near-field magnetic environment the device creates, which is the correct physics for coils operating far below their radiating frequency. Three practical consequences follow. First, coil geometry, drive current, ferrite shielding, and enclosure design all move the measured number — two chargers with identical electrical power ratings can differ by tens of dB in field strength. Second, measurement at 10 metres of a source designed to work at 5 millimetres involves significant measurement technique; laboratories experienced in EN 300 330 methodology extrapolate correctly where near-field measurements are

Few wireless applications carry stakes as high as medical radio. A cardiac pacemaker that reports arrhythmia data to a bedside monitor, an implanted insulin pump adjusted through a wireless programmer, a continuous glucose monitor streaming to a phone, a swallowed capsule endoscope transmitting images from inside the body — these devices depend on radio links that must work reliably, at vanishingly low power, in spectrum protected from interference. India protects this spectrum through a set of dedicated de-licensing notifications issued by the WPC Wing of the Department of Telecommunications. The centrepiece is GSR 673 (E) dated 23.09.2008, which de-licensed the 402–405 MHz Medical Implant Communication Systems (MICS) band, flanked by the 401–402 MHz and 405–406 MHz wing bands and the 2483.5–2500 MHz active-implant band covered by GSR 1047 (E) dated 18.10.2018. Every wireless medical device model using these bands requires WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) before it can be imported into or placed on the Indian market — in addition to its medical-device regulatory obligations under CDSCO. This guide explains the medical radio bands available in India, their strict technical conditions, the ETA self-declaration process, and the compliance planning that medical device companies need alongside their clinical regulatory pathway. India’s De-Licensed Medical Radio Bands 402–405 MHz: The MICS Core Band — GSR 673 (E) dated 23.09.2008 GSR 673 (E) de-licensed 402–405 MHz for very low power remote cardiac monitoring radio frequency wireless medical devices, Medical Implant Communication Systems (MICS), Medical Implant Telemetry Systems (MITS), and other such very low power medical radio frequency wireless devices. The notified conditions are: Maximum power of 25 µW e.r.p Channel emission bandwidth within 300 kHz Built-in antenna This is the globally harmonised MedRadio/MICS core band used by pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), neurostimulators, and their external programmers and home monitors. The 25 µW limit — twenty-five millionths of a watt — reflects the band’s purpose: ultra-short-range links between an implant and a nearby controller, coexisting with the meteorological aids services that share this spectrum internationally. 401–402 MHz and 405–406 MHz: The Wing Bands — GSR 1047 (E) GSR 1047 (E) extends licence-exempt medical use to the wing bands on either side of the MICS core. Both 401–402 MHz and 405–406 MHz are available at 25 µW e.r.p for systems specifically designed for non-voice digital communications between active implantable medical devices and/or body-worn devices and other devices external to the human body, for transferring non-time-critical, individual patient-related physiological information. Conditions include: 25 kHz channel spacing, with individual transmitters permitted to combine adjacent channels up to 100 kHz bandwidth Alternatively, a duty-cycle limit of 0.1% Reference standard: EN 302 537 (Medical Data Service devices) These bands suit lower-priority telemetry — trend data, device status logs — keeping the core band free for session-based clinical communication. 30–37.5 MHz: Ultra-Low Power Membrane Implants — GSR 1047 (E) A specialised entry in GSR 1047 (E) covers 30–37.5 MHz at 1 mW e.r.p with a 10% duty-cycle limit, available only for ultra-low power medical membrane implants for blood pressure measurements — implantable pressure sensors within the definition of active implantable medical devices. The reference standard is EN 302 510. 2483.5–2500 MHz: Wideband Active Implants — GSR 1047 (E) For implant systems needing higher data rates, GSR 1047 (E) de-licensed 2483.5–2500 MHz at 10 mW e.i.r.p for low power active medical implant devices, with 1 MHz channel spacing — the whole band may also be used dynamically as a single channel for high-speed data transmission — and a 10% duty-cycle limit, referencing EN 301 559. This band supports modern implant platforms that upload larger datasets (for example, high-resolution glucose or cardiac waveform histories) in short bursts. Summary Table Band Power Limit Key Conditions Application Notification 402–405 MHz 25 µW e.r.p ≤300 kHz emission BW, built-in antenna MICS/MITS, cardiac monitoring GSR 673 (E) 401–402 MHz 25 µW e.r.p 25 kHz spacing (combinable to 100 kHz) or 0.1% duty cycle Implant/body-worn telemetry GSR 1047 (E) 405–406 MHz 25 µW e.r.p 25 kHz spacing (combinable to 100 kHz) or 0.1% duty cycle Implant/body-worn telemetry GSR 1047 (E) 30–37.5 MHz 1 mW e.r.p 10% duty cycle; membrane pressure implants only Blood-pressure implants GSR 1047 (E) 2483.5–2500 MHz 10 mW e.i.r.p 1 MHz spacing or full-band dynamic; 10% duty cycle Wideband active implants GSR 1047 (E) Many connected medical devices also use the general de-licensed bands — Bluetooth LE at 2400–2483.5 MHz under GSR 45 (E) for wearables, glucometers, and patient monitors, and Wi-Fi under GSR 1048 (E) for hospital equipment. Those radios require ETA coverage in the same application. Which Devices Need WPC ETA? External programmers and clinician tablets communicating with implants in the MICS/MedRadio bands — require ETA; these are the transmitters most visibly placed on the market. Home monitoring units / bedside transceivers — require ETA. Body-worn sensors and patches using 401–406 MHz, 2.4 GHz BLE, or proprietary links — require ETA. Active implantable devices themselves (pacemakers, neurostimulators, implanted sensors) — as radio transmitters, the models require type approval coverage; manufacturers should address this within the same ETA planning as their external units. Capsule endoscopy systems, wireless telemetry transmitters, patient monitors — require ETA for each transmitting model. Hospital equipment with Wi-Fi/Bluetooth (infusion pumps, ventilators, imaging consoles) — the embedded radios require ETA. Step-by-Step: WPC ETA Self-Declaration for Medical Wireless Devices Because the medical bands above are de-licensed and the equipment is exempt from import licensing under DGFT policy, wireless medical devices qualify for ETA self-declaration (ETA-SD) via the Saral Sanchar portal. Radio and band audit. Inventory every transmitter in the system — implant, programmer, home monitor, companion app gateway — and map each to its notification and conditions (power, bandwidth, duty cycle, channel spacing). Accredited RF testing. Commission test reports evidencing frequency range, e.r.p/e.i.r.p, occupied bandwidth, and duty-cycle behaviour. EN 302 537, EN 302 510, EN 301 559, and EN 300 328 (for BLE) are the commonly referenced methodologies. Saral Sanchar registration. The Indian importer or Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) of the foreign manufacturer registers as applicant. ETA-SD filing with device

Below 1 GHz lies the quiet workhorse spectrum of the connected world. Sub-GHz radio — and the 433 MHz band in particular — carries an enormous share of the world’s short-range wireless traffic: car key fobs, gate and garage door openers, wireless doorbells, weather stations, tyre pressure monitoring systems, industrial remote controls, alarm sensors, smart meters, and a fast-growing population of LPWAN IoT nodes. Sub-GHz signals travel further and penetrate walls better than 2.4 GHz, at very low power — which is precisely why regulators keep these bands on a tight technical leash. In India, the sub-GHz short range device (SRD) landscape is defined by a cluster of gazette notifications issued by the WPC Wing of the Department of Telecommunications: GSR 680 (E) and GSR 698 (E) for the 433 MHz band, GSR 1047 (E) — the omnibus short range device notification of 18.10.2018 — for a wide set of bands from 169 MHz to 61 GHz, and GSR 564 (E) for 865–867 MHz, which doubles as India’s main licence-exempt LPWAN band. Every device using these bands requires WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) before import or sale, obtainable through self-declaration because the bands are de-licensed. This guide explains each notification, the duty-cycle and power conditions that trip up product teams, and the full ETA process for sub-GHz devices. The 433 MHz Band: Two Notifications, Read Together GSR 680 (E) dated 12.09.2012 — 433–434 MHz Indoor Devices GSR 680 (E) de-licensed 433–434 MHz for low power devices or equipment for indoor applications, with conditions of 10 mW maximum power and channel bandwidth within 10 kHz, using built-in antennas. This notification covers the classic indoor use cases: wireless sensors, remote switches, and home automation nodes. GSR 698 (E) dated 16.09.2015 — 433–434.79 MHz Including RFID GSR 698 (E) extended the de-licensed range to 433–434.79 MHz for very low power radio frequency devices including Radio Frequency Identification Devices, at 10 mW e.r.p with maximum channel bandwidth of 10 kHz and a duty-cycle limit of 10%. The wider band edge and explicit RFID coverage make this the primary basis for active tags, key fobs, and telemetry devices in the 433 MHz ISM range. The practical conditions for any 433 MHz product entering India are therefore: stay inside 433–434.79 MHz, keep radiated power at or below 10 mW e.r.p, respect the narrow 10 kHz channel bandwidth condition, and keep transmit duty cycle at or below 10%. GSR 1047 (E): India’s Omnibus Short Range Device Notification GSR 1047 (E) dated 18.10.2018 is the broadest SRD notification in the Indian framework, de-licensing multiple bands for low power and very low power short range devices across nine device families: inductive devices, active medical implants, high duty cycle / continuous transmission devices, assistive listening devices, Personal Mobile Radio (PMR 446), radio determination devices, RFID, transport and traffic telematics devices, and non-specific short range devices. Key sub-GHz entries include: Band Power Limit Conditions Typical Applications 6.765–6.795 MHz 42 dBµA/m at 10 m Inductive Inductive sensing 30–37.5 MHz 1 mW e.r.p 10% duty cycle; ultra-low power medical membrane implants Blood-pressure measurement implants 87.5–108 MHz 50 nW e.r.p High duty cycle devices Low-power audio transmitters 169.4–169.475 MHz 500 mW e.r.p ≤50 kHz channel; 1% duty cycle (10% for metering) Smart metering, telemetry 169.4–169.4875 MHz 10 mW e.r.p 0.1% duty cycle Non-specific SRD 169.4875–169.5875 MHz 10 mW e.r.p 0.001% duty cycle Non-specific SRD 169.5875–169.8125 MHz 10 mW e.r.p 0.1% duty cycle Non-specific SRD 169.4–169.5875 MHz 500 mW e.r.p Assistive listening devices Hearing assistance 446–446.2 MHz 500 mW e.r.p 6.25 / 12.5 kHz channel spacing PMR 446 walkie-talkies 865–867 MHz (GSR 564 E) 1 W Tx / 4 W e.r.p, 200 kHz RFID and licence-exempt use UHF RFID, LoRa/LPWAN gateways and nodes The duty-cycle figures deserve emphasis: the 169 MHz sub-bands range from 1% down to an extraordinarily strict 0.001%. A firmware beaconing schedule that would be legal in Europe may violate the Indian conditions — duty cycle is a design parameter, not a paperwork afterthought. PMR 446: India’s Licence-Exempt Walkie-Talkie Band Consumer walkie-talkies are a recurring compliance flashpoint. Under GSR 1047 (E), licence-exempt PMR operation is confined to 446–446.2 MHz at up to 500 mW e.r.p with 6.25/12.5 kHz channel spacing. Imported radios covering wider ranges (e.g., 400–470 MHz handhelds) are not compliant, are regularly seized at customs, and have triggered marketplace delistings. Only radios locked to the notified PMR band parameters can obtain ETA through self-declaration. 865–867 MHz: India’s LPWAN Home India’s licence-exempt sub-GHz IoT deployments — LoRaWAN above all — operate in 865–867 MHz under GSR 564 (E) dated 30.07.2008, sharing the band with UHF RFID. The conditions (1 W transmitter power, 4 W e.r.p, 200 kHz carrier bandwidth) accommodate LoRa gateways and nodes using the IN865 channel plan. Manufacturers of LoRa modules, gateways, trackers, and smart city sensors must ensure regional firmware uses the Indian channel plan, and each shipped model requires its own ETA. Step-by-Step: WPC ETA Self-Declaration for Sub-GHz Devices Fix the India RF profile. Confirm operating frequencies, power, bandwidth, and duty cycle against the exact notification that covers your band. Where hardware supports multiple regions, lock the India SKU in firmware. Accredited RF testing. Obtain test reports evidencing frequency range, radiated power (e.r.p), occupied bandwidth, and duty-cycle behaviour. EN 300 220 is the commonly referenced standard family for sub-GHz SRDs. Register on Saral Sanchar (saralsanchar.gov.in). Foreign manufacturers file through an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) or Indian importer. Submit the ETA-SD application with model and RF module details, band/power declarations, test reports, and datasheets. Pay ₹10,000 government fee per application/model online. Download the ETA certificate generated on self-declaration basis. Import with undertaking. Present the ETA and customs undertaking confirming operation in de-licensed bands. Documents Required Saral Sanchar ETA-SD online application RF test report from an accredited laboratory (frequency, e.r.p, bandwidth, duty cycle) Device and RF module datasheets Declaration of India-specific channel plan and power configuration Applicant incorporation documents and IEC AIR authorisation letter for foreign manufacturers Customs undertaking accompanying the ETA at import Common Causes of Rejection

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Near Field Communication (NFC) have moved from niche logistics tools to core infrastructure across the Indian economy. UHF RFID drives warehouse automation, retail inventory, tolling ecosystems, and asset tracking; 13.56 MHz technology powers contactless payment cards, access control, metro ticketing, and every NFC-enabled smartphone and POS terminal; low-frequency RFID underpins animal tagging, vehicle immobilisers, and industrial sensing. Every RFID reader, NFC device, and interrogator placed on the Indian market is a radio transmitter regulated by the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Department of Telecommunications. The frequencies these devices use are de-licensed in India through a series of gazette notifications — but the devices themselves still require WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) before import and sale, and India’s RFID band plan differs from the US and several other markets in ways that regularly catch global vendors off guard. This guide sets out every de-licensed band relevant to RFID and NFC in India, the technical conditions attached to each, the ETA self-declaration process on the Saral Sanchar portal, and the compliance pitfalls specific to this product category. India’s De-Licensed RFID & NFC Frequency Bands UHF RFID: 865–867 MHz — GSR 564 (E) dated 30.07.2008 The workhorse band for supply chain, retail, and logistics RFID in India is 865–867 MHz, de-licensed under GSR 564 (E) for low power RFID equipment. The notified conditions permit: Maximum transmitter power of 1 W Maximum radiated power of 4 W e.r.p Carrier bandwidth of 200 kHz This is the single most important fact for anyone importing UHF RFID readers into India: the Indian band is 865–867 MHz, not the North American 902–928 MHz band. Readers built and tested for FCC Part 15 operation are not compliant in India unless they are configured (and evidenced) to operate within the Indian 2 MHz window at the notified power limits. ETSI-region hardware (865–868 MHz) is closer to the Indian plan but must still be shown to respect the 867 MHz upper edge. HF / NFC: 13.553–13.567 MHz — GSR 884 (E) dated 04.11.2010 The 13.56 MHz band — the global home of ISO 14443 contactless smartcards, ISO 15693 vicinity cards, and NFC — is de-licensed under GSR 884 (E) for very low power radio frequency devices for indoor applications. This covers: NFC readers in smartphones, tablets, and wearables Contactless POS terminals and payment acceptance devices Access control readers and time-attendance systems Library, laundry, and industrial HF RFID systems Metro and transit ticketing validators LF RFID: 9–50 kHz and 50–200 kHz — GSR 83 (E) & GSR 90 (E) Low-frequency RFID (typically 125/134.2 kHz) sits within the bands de-licensed by GSR 90 (E) dated 10.02.2009 (50–200 kHz) and, for the lowest frequencies, GSR 83 (E) dated 11.02.2014 (9–50 kHz), both covering very low power radio frequency devices including RFID. Typical applications include animal identification, car key immobilisers, and proximity access cards. Related inductive-application bands (302–351 kHz under GSR 697 (E), and the wider inductive sub-bands under GSR 870 (E) dated 21.12.2021 with field-strength limits specified in dBµA/m at 10 m) support inductive readers and wireless sensing. 433 MHz and 2.4 GHz RFID Two further notifications matter for active RFID and microwave RFID: 433–434.79 MHz — GSR 698 (E) dated 16.09.2015 permits very low power devices including RFID at 10 mW e.r.p with a maximum channel bandwidth of 10 kHz and a 10% duty-cycle limit. This supports active RFID tags and beacons common in yard management and personnel tracking. 2446–2454 MHz — GSR 1047 (E) dated 18.10.2018 permits RFID devices at up to 500 mW e.i.r.p, enabling 2.4 GHz microwave RFID systems, alongside general short-range device use of 2400–2483.5 MHz. Summary Table Technology Frequency Band Notification Key Conditions LF RFID 9–50 kHz / 50–200 kHz GSR 83 (E) / GSR 90 (E) Very low power devices incl. RFID Inductive / LF 302–351 kHz; 148.5 kHz–30 MHz sub-bands GSR 697 (E) / GSR 870 (E) Field-strength limits in dBµA/m at 10 m HF RFID / NFC 13.553–13.567 MHz GSR 884 (E) Very low power, indoor applications Active RFID 433–434.79 MHz GSR 698 (E) 10 mW e.r.p, 10 kHz bandwidth, 10% duty cycle UHF RFID 865–867 MHz GSR 564 (E) 1 W transmitter, 4 W e.r.p, 200 kHz carrier Microwave RFID 2446–2454 MHz GSR 1047 (E) 500 mW e.i.r.p Who Needs WPC ETA in the RFID Ecosystem? A useful rule of thumb: anything that transmits needs approval; purely passive items do not. RFID readers / interrogators (fixed, handheld, integrated) — require ETA. These are the active transmitters. NFC-enabled devices — smartphones, POS terminals, smartwatches, access readers: the NFC radio requires ETA coverage alongside any Wi-Fi/Bluetooth radios in the same device. Active RFID tags and beacons — battery-powered transmitters require ETA. Passive RFID tags, labels, and inlays — do not transmit autonomously; they backscatter reader energy and are generally outside ETA requirements. RFID printers/encoders — contain an interrogator module and require ETA. Multi-radio gateways — readers with built-in Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/4G backhaul need every radio assessed; the cellular element brings additional considerations. Step-by-Step: ETA Self-Declaration for RFID & NFC Devices Because all the bands above are de-licensed and the equipment is import-licence-exempt under DGFT policy, RFID and NFC devices qualify for the ETA self-declaration (ETA-SD) route on the Saral Sanchar portal (saralsanchar.gov.in). Confirm the India configuration. Verify the reader’s frequency plan is set (and lockable) to the Indian band — 865–867 MHz for UHF — and that output power respects the notified limits. Obtain the manufacturer’s India-region firmware/SKU confirmation in writing. RF testing. Commission testing at an accredited laboratory covering operating frequency range, channel occupancy, radiated power (e.r.p/e.i.r.p), and where applicable duty cycle. EN-referenced reports (e.g., EN 302 208 for UHF RFID, EN 300 330 for LF/HF) are widely used as the technical basis. Register the applicant on Saral Sanchar. Indian importers apply directly; foreign manufacturers apply through an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR). File the ETA-SD application with model details, RF specifications, band and power declarations, test reports, and datasheets. Pay the fee — ₹10,000 per application/model via

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are the two most widely shipped radio technologies on earth, and they sit inside almost every product category entering India — smartphones, laptops, routers, smart TVs, wireless earbuds, speakers, wearables, smart home devices, POS terminals, industrial gateways, drones, and connected appliances. Every one of these products transmits in spectrum regulated by the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing of the Department of Telecommunications, and every one of them requires WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) before it can be imported into or sold in India. The good news for manufacturers and importers is that the frequency bands used by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in India are de-licensed — exempted from individual wireless operating licences through gazette notifications. This qualifies compliant devices for the fast ETA self-declaration route on the DoT’s Saral Sanchar portal. The catch is that India’s band plan, power limits, and channel conditions are specific to India, and devices tested only against FCC or CE parameters routinely fail to demonstrate compliance. This guide covers the three notifications that matter for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth — GSR 45 (E) for 2.4 GHz, GSR 1048 (E) for 5 GHz, and GSR 316 (E) for the Lower 6 GHz band — along with the full ETA process, documentation, and the compliance pitfalls we see most often at the customs stage. The De-Licensed Bands for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in India 2.4 GHz Band — GSR 45 (E) dated 28.01.2005 The foundational notification for consumer wireless in India is GSR 45 (E), which de-licensed the 2.4–2.4835 GHz band for low power equipment — specifically wireless LAN equipment and devices using Bluetooth and the IEEE 802.11 family of standards. This is the band used by: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n/ax (2.4 GHz radios of every dual-band product) Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) — 2400–2483.5 MHz Zigbee, Thread, and other 802.15.4 mesh protocols Proprietary 2.4 GHz links (wireless mice, keyboards, game controllers, drone links) Related conditions in GSR 1047 (E) dated 18.10.2018 additionally cover short range device use in 2400–2483.5 MHz (10 mW e.i.r.p for non-specific SRDs and 25 mW e.i.r.p for radio determination devices), and 2446–2454 MHz at up to 500 mW e.i.r.p for RFID applications. 5 GHz Band — GSR 1048 (E) dated 18.10.2018 GSR 1048 (E) de-licensed four sub-bands for wireless access systems including Radio Local Area Networks (RLAN), under indoor and outdoor environments: Sub-band Typical Wi-Fi channels Notes 5.150–5.250 GHz (UNII-1) 36–48 Low power wireless access 5.250–5.350 GHz (UNII-2A) 52–64 Subject to notified conditions 5.470–5.725 GHz (UNII-2C) 100–140 Subject to notified conditions 5.725–5.875 GHz (UNII-3 and SRD) 149–165 Also 25 mW e.i.r.p non-specific SRD use under GSR 1047 (E) This notification is what allows dual-band and tri-band routers, mesh systems, laptops, and smartphones to operate their 5 GHz radios in India, covering low power access points, fixed point-to-point access, and mobile and portable client devices. Lower 6 GHz Band — GSR 316 (E) The most significant recent development for the Wi-Fi industry is the de-licensing of the Lower 6 GHz band, 5925–6425 MHz, for low power and very low power wireless access systems including RLAN. This notification opens the door for Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 devices in India, and the band has been enabled for ETA self-declaration filing. Manufacturers planning 6 GHz-capable products for the Indian market must ensure the device firmware restricts operation to the notified 5925–6425 MHz range and the applicable low power / very low power classes — the full 6 GHz range available in some other markets (up to 7125 MHz) is not de-licensed in India. Why ETA Is Mandatory Even Though the Bands Are Licence-Exempt De-licensing removes the need for the user of the device to hold a wireless operating licence. It does not remove the obligation on the manufacturer or importer to obtain Equipment Type Approval for the device model. ETA is the WPC Wing’s confirmation that the specific model conforms to the frequency, power, and technical conditions of the applicable notification. In practical terms, ETA is enforced at three points: Customs. Wireless consignments are checked against WPC requirements at import. De-licensed-band devices clear customs on presentation of the ETA together with an importer’s undertaking. Without ETA, goods are detained. Marketplaces. Amazon, Flipkart, and other platforms increasingly require ETA evidence before listing wireless products. Enforcement. Sale or operation of non-approved wireless equipment exposes the seller to action under the Indian Telegraph Act and Wireless Telegraphy Act. Since February 2022, ETA for devices that operate exclusively in de-licensed bands and are exempt from import licensing under the DGFT policy is issued through self-declaration (ETA-SD) on the Saral Sanchar portal — a major simplification compared with the earlier paper-based scrutiny route. Step-by-Step: WPC ETA Self-Declaration for Wi-Fi / Bluetooth Devices Radio inventory and band mapping. List every transmitter in the product — 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, 5 GHz Wi-Fi, 6 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth/BLE, and any additional radios (NFC, UWB, sub-GHz). Confirm each falls inside a notified de-licensed band at compliant power levels. One out-of-band radio disqualifies the entire device from the self-declaration route. RF testing at an accredited laboratory. Obtain test reports demonstrating operating frequency range, channel plan, and maximum output power (e.i.r.p) for each radio, aligned to the Indian band edges. Reports from ILAC-accredited labs referencing the applicable standards are accepted; testing of the final product or its certified RF modules should reflect the configuration actually shipped to India. Portal registration. Register the applicant entity on saralsanchar.gov.in. Foreign manufacturers apply through an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) or their Indian importer. ETA-SD application. File the online application with device model details, RF module details, frequency bands, output power, and uploaded test reports and datasheets. Fee payment. Pay the government fee of ₹10,000 per application/model (covering the RF modules within that model) through the portal’s online payment gateway. Certificate generation. For eligible devices the ETA is issued on a self-declaration basis and downloaded directly from the portal — typically within days of a complete filing. Import. Present the ETA with an undertaking to customs at the time of