WPC Certification (ETA Approval) for Wireless Products
Any wireless product sold or imported in India, from Bluetooth earbuds to Wi-Fi routers, needs Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from the WPC Wing of the Department of Telecommunications. For products working in de-licensed bands, ETA is granted on self-declaration through the Saral Sanchar portal, for a ₹10,000 fee. We prepare the file, coordinate the RF test report and handle the portal filing.
What it is
WPC stands for the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). It manages radio spectrum in India. Any device that transmits radio waves, even a tiny Bluetooth chip, uses that spectrum. So before such a product is imported or sold, WPC wants to know it stays within the permitted frequency and power limits.
That permission is called Equipment Type Approval, or ETA. People often call it “WPC certification” or “WPC approval”. For products in de-licensed bands, such as 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, ETA works on self-declaration: you file an RF test report and technical papers on the Saral Sanchar portal, pay ₹10,000, and DoT issues the approval for that model.
Who it applies to
You import wireless goods
Traders bringing in smartwatches, earphones, speakers, printers, cameras or laptops with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Importers also need an Import Export Code before the first shipment.
You make or brand products in India
Companies making or assembling wireless products here, including private-label brands. Picture a Faridabad electronics trader launching its own range of Bluetooth speakers made by a contract factory: the brand owner is the one selling, so the ETA sits in its name.
You are an overseas maker
An overseas maker cannot file directly. It appoints an Indian representative, often its importer or Indian subsidiary, who files with the manufacturer’s authorisation letter.
Why it matters
It gives you the right to sell
ETA is the DoT’s confirmation that your product’s radio side follows Indian rules. Without it, a wireless product has no approval to be sold here.
You pay once per model
DoT states the ETA is valid for the lifetime of the model unless the WPC Wing revokes it. There is no annual fee and no renewal cycle.
It keeps your launch on time
Filing before the goods land means your launch date does not wait on paperwork.
De-licensed bands at a glance
The self-declaration route covers products that work only in bands exempted from licensing. The common ones:
| Band | Typical products | Exemption |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4–2.4835 GHz | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, wireless mice and keyboards | G.S.R. 45(E), 2005 |
| 5.15–5.875 GHz | Dual-band Wi-Fi routers, access points, laptops | G.S.R. 1048(E), 2018 |
| 5925–6425 MHz (lower 6 GHz) | Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 devices | Lower 6 GHz Band (Exemption from Licensing Requirement) Rules, 2026, notified January 2026 |
| 865–867 MHz | UHF RFID tags and readers | De-licensed for low-power RFID |
Each exemption comes with power and use conditions. The lower 6 GHz rules, for example, prohibit use on oil platforms, drones, boats and in cars and trains, and allow it on aircraft only above 10,000 feet. Mobile handsets also appear on DoT’s ETA list, but equipment for licensed bands can need separate WPC permissions. We check this before you pay for testing.
Documents required
About the applicant
- Certificate of incorporation, GST certificate or other entity proof
- PAN of the applicant entity
- Authorised signatory details and contact
- Authorisation letter from the manufacturer, if you are the Indian representative
About the product
- Model number, brand and product photos
- Technical literature or datasheet
- Details of every radio module inside (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.)
- Operating frequency and output power
Test evidence
- RF test report from an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory
- Report must match the exact model being filed
How it works
Confirm the frequency bands
We check every radio in your product against the de-licensed bands. Here is the catch: radar, jamming devices, drones and satellite equipment are excluded from this route altogether.
Get the RF test report
An accredited lab tests the product’s radio performance. If your overseas maker already has a suitable report, we check that it covers the exact model and bands.
Register on Saral Sanchar
We set up the applicant account on the Saral Sanchar portal of DoT, using your entity details and authorised signatory.
File the ETA and pay ₹10,000
We upload the test report, technical literature and authorisation, then pay the fee online. One application covers one model.
Answer queries and download the ETA
If WPC raises a query, we reply on the portal. Once approved, the ETA certificate is downloaded and shared with you for your records and buyers.
Timelines
Before import or sale
Get the ETA before the product is imported or offered for sale. In practice, RF testing takes the longest, so book the lab first.
Valid for life
The ETA has no expiry date. It stays valid unless the WPC Wing revokes it, so there is nothing to renew.
New model, new ETA
ETA is issued per model. A new model, or a change to the radio inside an existing one, needs a fresh application.
What happens if you skip ETA
Your goods cannot be sold legally
Wireless products without ETA have no approval for the Indian market, and stock already imported can sit unsold in your warehouse.
Your approval can be revoked
ETA rests on your self-declaration. If the product does not match what you declared, the WPC Wing can revoke the approval.
A wrong-route filing stays illegal
Excluded equipment, such as drones or jammers, cannot be approved by self-declaration. Filing it that way does not make it legal.
Frequently asked questions
Is WPC certification the same as ETA?
Yes, in everyday use “WPC certification” or “WPC approval” means the Equipment Type Approval issued by the WPC Wing of DoT. The formal name is ETA. For products in de-licensed bands, it is granted on self-declaration through the Saral Sanchar portal against a fee of ₹10,000. Whichever term your buyer uses, the paperwork is the same.
Which products need WPC ETA?
Any product with a radio transmitter needs ETA before import or sale. DoT’s own list includes mobile handsets, smartphones, laptops, smartwatches, short-range devices, microphones, speakers, headphones, earphones, printers, scanners and cameras. If it connects by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or a similar radio link, assume it needs ETA. We check your product list and confirm item by item.
What is the government fee for ETA?
The ETA fee is ₹10,000 per application, paid online on the Saral Sanchar portal. One application covers one model. The RF test report is a separate cost charged by the laboratory. There is no annual or renewal fee afterwards, because the ETA stays valid for the life of the model unless revoked. We tell you the full outlay before we start.
How long is the ETA valid?
The ETA is valid for the lifetime of the model unless the WPC Wing revokes it. DoT states this on its ETA service page. You do not renew it every year or every few years. You only apply again for a new model or a changed radio design. Keep the certificate and test report safely; buyers ask for them often.
Can a foreign manufacturer apply directly?
No, a foreign manufacturer applies through an Indian representative. The representative is usually the Indian importer, distributor or subsidiary, and files with the manufacturer’s authorisation letter, RF test report and technical literature. If you are setting up an Indian arm for this, a private limited company is the usual choice. We guide you through both steps.
Which products cannot use the self-declaration route?
Radar, jamming devices, drones and satellite equipment are outside the ETA self-declaration route, according to DoT. Equipment for licensed bands can also need separate WPC permissions, and some items are restricted altogether. Tell us the product and its frequencies, and we will tell you plainly which route applies before you spend on testing.
Is ETA the same as BIS or TEC certification?
No, they cover different things. ETA covers the radio side under WPC. BIS registration under its compulsory scheme covers safety for notified electronics, and TEC’s MTCTE covers notified telecom equipment. One product can need more than one. We map which approvals apply to your product so nothing is missed at launch.
Does every model variant need its own ETA?
Yes, because ETA is issued per model. If two variants carry different model numbers or different radio modules, plan for separate applications at ₹10,000 each. Where you are unsure whether a variant counts as a new model, ask before filing. We review your model list with you, so you do not pay for applications you do not need.
What does Taxhint do, and what does the lab do?
The accredited lab does the RF testing and issues the test report; we do everything else on the paperwork side. That includes checking frequency bands, setting up your Saral Sanchar account, preparing the authorisation and technical file, filing the application, paying the fee and answering WPC queries. You deal with one team from the first check to the downloaded ETA.
What it costs
Our fee plus the government fee that applies to your case, quoted before you commit. Tell us the situation and we will price it exactly.
Government fee: ₹10,000 per ETA application (one model), paid on the Saral Sanchar portal. RF testing is billed separately by the laboratory.
Ready to begin?
Send us your product list and datasheets, and we will confirm which models need ETA and file them on Saral Sanchar.