[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/India WPC Type Approval IndiaWireless # India WPC Type Approval: Wireless Device Certification for the Indian Market Every wireless product entering India — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, or proprietary RF — needs WPC Equipment Type Approval and an Import Licence before it clears customs. This guide explains the process, the testing requirements, and how WPC approval sits alongside BIS CRS in India's compliance landscape. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Findia-wpc-type-approval) At a glance Body WPC Wing (Ministry of Communications) Approval Equipment Type Approval (ETA) Import Licence Required for all radio equipment imports Frequency Licensed + unlicensed bands regulated ## How WPC regulates wireless devices in India ### WPC and Equipment Type Approval (ETA) The Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing, under India's Ministry of Communications, administers the country's radio frequency spectrum and issues Equipment Type Approvals for wireless devices. WPC ETA is required for any product that transmits or receives radio signals — including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, Zigbee, LoRa, and proprietary RF devices. ETA is a mandatory requirement that applies independently of BIS CRS certification: both are required for most wireless consumer electronics. ### Licensed vs unlicensed frequency bands in India India designates certain frequency bands as unlicensed — including the 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz ISM bands used by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and portions of the 868/915 MHz bands used by some IoT protocols. However, 'unlicensed' does not mean unregulated. Devices operating on unlicensed bands still require WPC Equipment Type Approval and may require a WPC Import Licence. The 5 GHz Wi-Fi band has historically had restrictions in India — companies should verify current WPC rules on specific sub-bands before assuming unrestricted access. ### WPC Import Licence Any company importing radio equipment into India — regardless of whether it operates on licensed or unlicensed frequency bands — must obtain a WPC Import Licence from the WPC Wing. The licence specifies the equipment type, permitted quantity, frequency bands, and port of entry. It must be obtained before the equipment clears customs. Import Licences are typically granted on a per-shipment or annual basis and must be renewed as required. ### SACFA clearance and site registration For fixed radio installations — such as base stations, point-to-point microwave links, and VSAT systems — a clearance from the Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocation (SACFA) is required. SACFA clearance relates to the deployment site and interference coordination, not the equipment itself. It is distinct from the Equipment Type Approval and applies whenever a licensed frequency installation is set up at a specific geographic location in India. ## Getting WPC type approval for your product 01 Classify the radio equipment by frequency band, power level, and technology standard. Determine whether it operates on licensed or unlicensed bands and whether a SACFA site clearance will be required in addition to the ETA. Review the current WPC frequency allocation table and any notifications relevant to your technology (e.g. 5 GHz sub-band restrictions for Wi-Fi). 02 Apply for Equipment Type Approval through the WPC online portal (wpc.dot.gov.in). Submit the application with technical specifications, block diagram, circuit description, antenna specification, test reports from a WPC-recognised laboratory, and the prescribed ETA application fee. Applications are reviewed by WPC technical staff, who may request clarifications. 03 Obtain test reports from a WPC-recognised test laboratory. Test reports must cover the specific WPC technical parameters for the frequency band and technology in question — WPC has its own requirements that differ from ETSI or FCC test procedures. EU CE or FCC test reports are not directly accepted for WPC type approval and cannot substitute for WPC-specific testing without explicit agreement from WPC. 04 Apply for the WPC Import Licence once ETA is granted. The Import Licence application must specify the quantity of units to be imported, the port of entry, the intended end-use, and the ETA reference number. The licence must be in hand before the shipment reaches the Indian port of entry, as customs authorities require it for clearance of wireless equipment. 05 Obtain BIS CRS certification separately — WPC ETA and BIS CRS are independent regulatory requirements that both apply to most wireless consumer electronics sold in India. WPC ETA covers spectrum and radio frequency compliance; BIS CRS covers electrical safety and electromagnetic standards. Neither approval substitutes for the other and both must appear on the product before it can be sold in India. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is WPC approval required for Wi-Fi devices operating on 2.4 GHz in India? Yes. Although the 2.4 GHz ISM band is designated as unlicensed in India, Wi-Fi devices operating in this band still require WPC Equipment Type Approval before they can be legally sold or imported. Additionally, a WPC Import Licence is required for any shipment of wireless equipment into India. Operating or selling Wi-Fi devices without ETA is a violation of India's Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, which can result in seizure of equipment and penalties. ### What is the difference between WPC ETA and BIS CRS certification? WPC ETA (Equipment Type Approval) is issued by the Wireless Planning and Coordination Wing and addresses radio frequency compliance — it certifies that the device uses spectrum appropriately and does not cause harmful interference. BIS CRS (Compulsory Registration Scheme) is administered by the Bureau of Indian Standards and addresses electrical safety, EMC performance, and product standards. Both are mandatory for wireless consumer electronics sold in India. WPC ETA focuses on the radio interface; BIS CRS focuses on product safety and standards compliance. They are applied for and granted separately. ### How long does WPC type approval take? WPC type approval timelines vary depending on application completeness and WPC's current workload. A complete application — with all technical documents and recognised lab test reports — typically takes 4 to 12 weeks from submission to ETA grant. Incomplete applications or those requiring clarification can take considerably longer. Companies should build WPC ETA into their India market entry timeline well ahead of planned shipment dates and allocate time for the Import Licence application after ETA is granted. ### Does Bluetooth require WPC type approval in India? Yes. Bluetooth operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band, which is an unlicensed band in India, but WPC type approval is still required for Bluetooth devices. This applies to Bluetooth Classic, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), and Bluetooth 5.x. Any product that includes a Bluetooth interface — smartphones, wireless headsets, smart speakers, wearables, IoT devices — must have WPC ETA before it can be imported or sold in India. A combined Wi-Fi + Bluetooth module typically requires a single ETA that covers both technologies. **Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. Regulatory requirements change and vary by product category. Consult an accredited test laboratory or qualified compliance engineer before making certification decisions. 🇮🇳 India roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇮🇳 India compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. [Start the course — $149](/courses/10-india-wireless-type-approval-wpc-eta-mtcte)[Prefer to read? 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