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# India WPC 2.4 GHz ISM Band: Licence Exemption, Power Limits, and ETA Requirements

India's WPC Wing controls who can transmit at 2.4 GHz — and the rules are more nuanced than a single power limit. This guide breaks down the 100 mW e.i.r.p licence-exempt threshold, when you need an Equipment Type Approval, how BIS CRS fits into the picture, and what Bluetooth and Wi-Fi product makers need to know before shipping into the Indian market.

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At a glance

Frequency band

2400–2483.5 MHz

Licence-exempt limit

100 mW (20 dBm) e.i.r.p

Authority

WPC Wing, Ministry of Communications

Also required

BIS CRS registration (separate)

## Key concepts: WPC spectrum rules for 2.4 GHz devices

### WPC and India's radio frequency authority

The Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing is a division of the Ministry of Communications under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). WPC is the national radio regulatory authority responsible for spectrum management, frequency allocation, and licensing of radio equipment in India — operating under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933 (IWT Act). All radio frequency transmitters, including consumer electronics carrying Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, or any other wireless technology, must either hold a WPC licence or qualify for a licence exemption under the current exemption rules. WPC publishes the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP), which defines permitted uses of each frequency band and is the primary reference document for spectrum compliance in India.

### 2.4 GHz ISM band plan in India — 2400 to 2483.5 MHz

India designates the 2400–2483.5 MHz band as an ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical) band available for licence-exempt use under defined conditions. This is the same band used by 802.11b/g/n/ax Wi-Fi (channels 1–13 in standard consumer use), Bluetooth Classic and BLE, Zigbee (IEEE 802.15.4), and other technologies. The band allocation in India's NFAP is consistent with the ITU Region 3 allocation. Adjacent bands require careful attention: the 2400–2483.5 MHz band sits between aeronautical radionavigation frequencies below and radiolocation and earth exploration satellite uses above 2483.5 MHz. Devices must not transmit outside the 2400–2483.5 MHz band, and transmit mask requirements apply to protect adjacent band users.

### 100 mW e.i.r.p licence exemption limit for 2.4 GHz

The current WPC licence exemption for 2.4 GHz ISM band devices permits operation without a WPC licence provided the device's maximum transmit power does not exceed 100 mW (20 dBm) e.i.r.p (equivalent isotropically radiated power). This limit applies to conducted power combined with antenna gain — it is not the conducted power at the antenna port alone. A device with 20 dBm conducted output power and a 0 dBi antenna has 20 dBm e.i.r.p and is within the limit; a device with 18 dBm conducted output and a 5 dBi antenna has 23 dBm e.i.r.p and exceeds the limit, requiring a WPC licence. Standard consumer Wi-Fi (802.11n MIMO) and Bluetooth devices operating at their normal conducted power levels with integrated antennas typically qualify for the exemption. The licence exemption historically targeted indoor use — outdoor deployments at 2.4 GHz above certain thresholds may require coordination with WPC.

### ETA (Equipment Type Approval) for non-exempt and above-limit devices

Devices exceeding the 100 mW e.i.r.p exemption limit, devices with external antennas offering gain that pushes e.i.r.p above the threshold, and devices used outside the exemption scope require a WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) — also referred to as a WPC licence for specific equipment. The ETA process involves submitting an application through WPC's SARAL Sanchar portal (dot.gov.in), providing full technical parameters (frequency range, output power, modulation, antenna type and gain), paying the prescribed fee, and undergoing WPC technical review. ETA certificates are device-model-specific and must be obtained before import, manufacture, or sale. Importing, manufacturing, or even possessing radio equipment without a valid licence or qualifying exemption is an offence under the IWT Act 1933 and can result in seizure and prosecution.

### BIS CRS requirement — separate from WPC ETA

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices in India must also comply with BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) under IS 13252 (Part 1) / IEC 62368-1, which covers IT and AV equipment electrical safety. BIS CRS and WPC ETA are entirely separate regulatory requirements — both must be satisfied for lawful import and sale. A device may qualify for WPC licence exemption and still require BIS CRS registration backed by test reports from a BIS-recognised laboratory. The BIS test standard IS 13252 covers electrical safety, not radio spectrum compliance; WPC handles spectrum and BIS handles product safety. Products imported without valid BIS CRS registration and WPC compliance risk seizure at Indian customs and financial penalties under both the BIS Act and the IWT Act.

### Bluetooth and Wi-Fi — practical compliance for common device types

Bluetooth Classic (BR/EDR) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) at standard power levels — Class 2 at 4 dBm conducted, Class 1 at 20 dBm conducted — combined with typical integrated chip antennas (0 to +2 dBi) generally fall within the 100 mW e.i.r.p WPC exemption for consumer products. Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz (802.11b/g/n) at standard consumer output levels (17–20 dBm conducted) with internal PCB antennas (typically 2–3 dBi) similarly qualifies for most consumer products. However, Wi-Fi equipment with external high-gain directional antennas — outdoor CPE, point-to-point bridge links — and 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) MIMO configurations where combined e.i.r.p may exceed 20 dBm require individual WPC assessment. The WPC exemption notification specifies precise conditions that manufacturers and importers must self-certify their devices meet before placing them on the market.

## WPC and BIS compliance process for 2.4 GHz devices

01

Identify all radio frequency technologies in the product: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, NFC, or any other 2.4 GHz transmission. Obtain the RF module datasheet and the antenna datasheet with gain specifications. Calculate maximum e.i.r.p for each radio interface using the formula: e.i.r.p (dBm) = conducted output power (dBm) + antenna gain (dBi) − cable and connector losses (dB). This calculation must be done for the worst case — maximum transmit power setting and highest-gain antenna configuration offered.

02

Compare the calculated e.i.r.p against the WPC 2.4 GHz ISM band licence exemption limit of 100 mW (20 dBm). If all radio interfaces are at or below 20 dBm e.i.r.p and the use case falls within the exemption conditions (primarily indoor consumer use), the device qualifies for licence-exempt operation and no WPC ETA is needed. Document this determination in writing — retain the e.i.r.p calculation and the exemption basis in your compliance file for each product model.

03

If e.i.r.p exceeds 20 dBm, or the device is designed for outdoor point-to-point use outside the exemption scope, initiate the WPC ETA application. Register on the SARAL Sanchar portal at dot.gov.in as a manufacturer or importer. Prepare the technical parameters file: frequency range, channel plan, maximum output power, modulation type, antenna gain and type, duty cycle, and any applicable standards references.

04

Commission radio frequency testing at a WPC-approved or NABL-accredited test laboratory if required for ETA submission. WPC may require test evidence of actual measured e.i.r.p, spectral mask compliance, and frequency accuracy. Test reports from internationally accredited laboratories (FCC TCB labs, CE-notified test houses) may be accepted as supporting evidence alongside Indian lab reports — confirm acceptability with WPC for each specific ETA application before commissioning tests.

05

Simultaneously prepare for BIS CRS registration if the product category appears in the mandatory BIS CRS notification — which covers Wi-Fi routers, smartphones, laptops, tablets, and a broad range of consumer electronics. Commission electrical safety testing per IS 13252 (Part 1) / IEC 62368-1 at a BIS-recognised Indian laboratory. Ensure the test lab is currently on the BIS-recognised lab list, as the list changes periodically; an outdated lab recognition will cause BIS CRS registration rejection.

06

Submit the BIS CRS application through the BIS online portal (manakonline.in). Upload test reports, product and factory details, and pay the applicable registration fees. BIS CRS registration typically takes 4–12 weeks for new products. Each product model must be separately registered, and registration is valid for 2 years from the date of grant, after which renewal is required. The CRS registration number (R-XXXXXXXX format) must appear on the product label and packaging before sale.

07

Ensure product labelling complies with all applicable marking requirements: BIS CRS registration number printed as R-XXXXXXXX on the product and packaging, manufacturer or importer name and Indian contact address, model number and batch or serial number, rated electrical parameters. For WPC-exempt products, no specific WPC mark is required on the product, but the compliance basis (licence exemption) should be documented in the technical file and may be referenced in customs documents.

08

Prepare customs clearance documentation before importing. The Bill of Entry must reference the WPC compliance basis (licence exemption or ETA certificate number) and the BIS CRS registration number for the specific product model. Indian Customs increasingly enforce both requirements at the port of entry — shipments of consumer electronics are routinely checked. Maintain complete compliance documentation and ensure it is available in digital form for presentation to Customs, WPC, or BIS authorities on short notice.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does a Bluetooth device need a WPC licence in India?

Standard Bluetooth devices — both Classic Bluetooth BR/EDR and Bluetooth Low Energy — operating within the 2400–2483.5 MHz band at or below 100 mW (20 dBm) e.i.r.p do not require a WPC licence; they qualify for India's ISM band licence exemption. Most consumer Bluetooth devices — smartphones, wireless earbuds, speakers, fitness trackers — operate at Class 2 power levels (4 dBm conducted, approximately 6–8 dBm e.i.r.p with typical chip antennas), well within the 20 dBm limit. Bluetooth Class 1 devices at 20 dBm conducted combined with external high-gain antennas may approach or exceed the limit and require a WPC assessment before deployment. Note that WPC licence exemption covers spectrum only — BIS CRS requirements under IS 13252 apply separately and must also be satisfied.

### What is the WPC ISM band power limit for Wi-Fi in India?

The WPC licence exemption for the 2.4 GHz ISM band in India permits operation up to 100 mW (20 dBm) e.i.r.p without a licence, and this aligns with typical output levels of standard consumer Wi-Fi products operating in the 2400–2483.5 MHz band. Wi-Fi devices fitted with external high-gain directional antennas — outdoor CPE equipment or point-to-point bridge hardware — frequently exceed this limit and require a WPC Equipment Type Approval (ETA) before they can legally be imported or sold in India. For 5 GHz Wi-Fi (802.11a/n/ac/ax), separate WPC rules apply to the relevant frequency bands in India's NFAP — the ISM band 100 mW limit applies specifically to the 2.4 GHz band and cannot be directly extrapolated to 5 GHz devices.

### What is the difference between WPC ETA and BIS CRS for a Wi-Fi product?

WPC ETA (Equipment Type Approval) and BIS CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) are two distinct regulatory requirements with completely separate scopes. WPC ETA is issued by the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing under the Ministry of Communications and covers radio spectrum compliance — it authorises the use of specific radio frequencies at defined power levels under the IWT Act 1933. BIS CRS is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and covers electrical safety and product quality per IS 13252 / IEC 62368-1. A Wi-Fi product that qualifies for the WPC licence exemption does not need a WPC ETA for spectrum purposes, but still needs BIS CRS registration before it can be legally sold in India. Both certifications must be in place — they address different risks and are enforced by different government bodies.

### What happens if a product is imported to India without WPC and BIS compliance?

Importing radio frequency devices without valid WPC compliance — either a documented licence exemption basis or a WPC ETA certificate — is an offence under the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and can result in seizure of the goods, substantial monetary penalties, and criminal prosecution. Importing products without BIS CRS registration (for categories on the mandatory list) violates the BIS Act and applicable mandatory standard notifications, with penalties including goods seizure and fines levied on the importer. Indian Customs increasingly enforce both requirements at ports of entry — shipments of consumer electronics are routinely screened for BIS CRS registration numbers and WPC compliance documentation. Remediation after goods are seized is complex, time-consuming, and expensive; ensuring full compliance before shipment is strongly preferable to attempting to resolve non-compliance at the border.

**Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. Regulatory requirements change. Consult a qualified compliance specialist before making decisions.

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