In December 2025, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, representing the Ministry of Communications, unveiled three significant reforms introduced by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). These reforms, implemented through the National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS), aim to strengthen India's telecom security ecosystem.
The major reforms include:
The Pro Tem Certification Scheme, launched in October 2024, was designed to prevent disruptions in business operations for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). This scheme particularly applies to Internet Protocol (IP) routers and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) devices, which need to be security certified by October 1, 2024. Initially, the scheme was set to be reviewed by December 31, 2025.
Under this scheme, OEMs must submit a declaration of conformance, affirming compliance with the Indian Telecommunication Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR) for applicable IP Router and Wi-Fi CPE products.
The NCCS has expanded the scheme to include essential components such as:
To date, a total of 107 certificates have been issued by the DoT through the NCCS, ensuring business continuity for OEMs.
The NCCS has reduced the designation application fees for TSTLs by more than 50%. Currently, there are nine designated TSTLs across the country, which evaluate telecom equipment in accordance with ITSAR and Test Schedule and Test Procedure (TSTP) standards.
Special concessions include a 50% fee reduction for Indian startups, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), and women-owned enterprises. Complete fee waivers are also available for central and state government testing agencies, government institutions, Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), and autonomous bodies.
Additional changes have been made to the fee structure, including lower renewal fees and more affordable scope expansion. Notably, no fees will be charged for Specific Security Requirement (SSR) additions when a Common Security Requirement (CSR) approval already exists.
The DoT has streamlined the ITSAR certification process for ONT devices, which are used at customer premises for internet access. The new methodology allows for customized variants of ONTs to be tested under a single certification procedure, significantly reducing the number of testing cases by nearly tenfold and alleviating the financial burden of security testing.
Originally, ITSAR for ONT devices was established on November 24, 2023, with voluntary certification starting on August 1, 2024, and mandatory certification commencing on January 1, 2026.
The NCCS is responsible for conducting security testing under the Communication Security (ComSec) Scheme, which is part of the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) framework. The MTCTE framework was first notified in September 2017 and subsequently replaced by the Telecommunications (Framework to Notify Standards, Conformity Assessment, and Certification) Rules, 2025.
Q1. What is the purpose of the Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme?
Answer: The Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme aims to prevent business disruptions for OEMs by allowing them to certify their telecom equipment against security requirements, ensuring compliance without interruption to operations.
Q2. How much has the fee for TSTL designations been reduced?
Answer: The application fees for Telecom Security Testing Laboratories (TSTLs) have been reduced by over 50%, making it more affordable for testing and certification processes.
Q3. What changes have been made to ONT device certifications?
Answer: The certification process for Optical Network Terminator (ONT) devices has been simplified, allowing customized variants to be tested under a single procedure, significantly reducing testing cases and costs.
Q4. Who benefits from the special concessions provided by NCCS?
Answer: Special concessions are available for Indian startups, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), women-owned enterprises, and government institutions, offering fee reductions and waivers.
Q5. What is the role of the NCCS in telecom security?
Answer: The NCCS is responsible for conducting security testing under the Communication Security Scheme, ensuring that telecom equipment adheres to the necessary security standards and requirements.
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