India Department of Telecommunications Exempts 77-81 GHz Band for Short-Range Automotive Radar Systems
24. September 2026The telecommunications and automotive regulatory environment in India is undergoing a progressive transformation to facilitate the deployment of advanced vehicle safety technologies. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has officially released a notification detailing the Use of Short-Range Automotive Radar System in the 77-81 GHz band (Exemption from Licensing Requirements) Rules, 2026. This legislative update removes traditional individual licensing burdens for qualifying automotive radar equipment, provided they comply with specific technical parameters, thereby accelerating the commercial introduction of next-generation driver-assistance systems.
Under the updated regulatory framework, short-range automotive radar hardware operating within the 77-81 GHz frequency range enjoys an exemption from standard telecommunications licensing mandates. However, manufacturers and importers must still fulfill specific regulatory compliance procedures to distribute wireless equipment legally. Specifically, most radar systems, radio- and telecommunication devices usually require WPC certification in order to be approved for import and sale in India, ensuring that radio frequency devices operate harmoniously within the country’s telecommunications infrastructure.
The implementation of these rules provides substantial operational benefits for international automotive manufacturers and Tier-1 suppliers. By streamlining the legal entry of high-frequency radar modules through the WPC compliance pathway, India fosters a more efficient market access ecosystem for collision avoidance technologies. Industry stakeholders must carefully verify that their technical documentation and RF compliance filings correspond with the newly enacted technical specifications to secure a seamless commercial rollout.
WPC certification is necessary for wireless products in order to be used and sold in India.
The national broadcasting authority WPC (Wireless Planning & Coordination) is responsible for this certification, in order to regulate the issuing of issuing of amateur radio licenses and the allocation and monitoring of the frequency spectrum.
If you are interested in understanding what requirements are needed for your product to be imported into India, please do not hesitate to contact us by email or phone (Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261, US: +1 773 654-2673). There is no cost or obligation for us to check for you. If a certification need is discovered we can provide a quotation to make sure that all your certification needs are covered.
For more information about WPC certification, please refer to our free brochure “WPC Certification Made Easy“.
