Lok Sabha Question No. 4152 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Telecommunication Engineering Centre
Ministry: COMMUNICATION
Asked by: Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Smt. Smita Uday Wagh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4152 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26 TH  MARCH, 2025

## TELECOMMUNICATION ENGINEERING CENTRE

## 4152.   SMT. SMITA UDAY WAGH: SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:

(a) the  manner in which the new draft rules enhance security, interoperability and quality in India's telecom sector and the impact they have will on Maharashtra's growing digital and telecom infrastructure;

(b) the  role  of  the  Telecommunication  Engineering  Centre  and  the  National  Centre  for Communication  Security  in  ensuring  compliance  with  the  updated  standards,  particularly  in Maharashtra's telecom industry;

(c) the  manner  in  which  the  proposed  digital  portal  streamlines  compliance  processes  for telecom equipment stakeholders and the manner in  which it will  benefit  telecom  businesses  and service providers in Maharashtra; and

(d) the details of the exemptions available under the new rules for research, development, testing and personal use of telecom equipment and the manner in which they will support innovation and telecom advancements in Maharashtra?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a) The draft Telecommunications (Standards, Conformity Assessment and Certification) Rules, 2025 has been proposed in suppression of the Indian Telegraph (Amendment) Rules, 2017.  'Indian Telegraph  (Amendment)  Rules,  2017'  vide  G.S.R.  1131(E)  PART  XI  prescribes  for  Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecommunication Equipment (MTCTE) and is already in force w.e.f. 01.10.2018.

It  ensures  that  the  telecommunication  equipment  used/connected  to  telecommunication network conform to all the prescribed standards including EMI/EMC, Safety, Security Requirements, interoperability and other technical Requirement. The main objectives are given below:

- (i) any telecommunication Equipment does not degrade performance of existing network to which it is connected;
- (ii) safety of the end-users;
- (iii) security of the Telecommunication Networks;
- (iv) protection of users and general public by ensuring that radio frequency emissions from equipment do not exceed prescribed standards;

- (v) telecommunication  equipment  complies  with  the  relevant  national  and  international regulatory standards and requirements.

A total of 211 telecommunication equipment have already been notified under MTCTE in six phases. Thus, the proposed rule shall continue to ensure the above objectives and strengthen the telecommunication network across the India including Maharashtra.

(b)

- (i).  TEC  is  responsible  for  development  of  essential  requirements(ER)  for  the  various telecommunication equipment notified under these rules and issuance of certificate of conformity if the product comply to the essential requirements. Further, labs are being designated by TEC for carrying out the testing against the essential requirements(ER).
- (ii) National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) is responsible for the development of security requirements for telecommunication equipment and ensuring compliance of the telecommunication equipment in respect of the prescribed security requirements.

(c) At  present,  the certification process is already end-to-end online. However, the proposed portal will further facilitate digital implementation of these rules including specifying the standards and conformity assessment procedures for compliance, fees and charges, notices of non-conformity, and any orders or directions under these rules by the Appropriate Authority. The portal will act as single window for the stakeholders and thereby enhance the Ease of doing Business in the country including Maharashtra.

(d) The  provisions  have  been  made  in  the  draft  rules  which  provides  for  exemption  for telecommunication  equipment  imported  into  India  for  the  purpose  of  carrying  out  research  and development or demonstration or testing of samples in India, subject to compliance with relevant rules and procedures for such research, demonstration or testing. These exemptions will be useful especially for start-ups, R&D centres, academia and industries located in any part of the country including  Maharashtra  for  fostering  innovations.  The  draft  rules  also  provide  exemption  for  the telecommunication equipment brought into India by a person for personal use in India and that is not otherwise prohibited to be imported or used under the Act or any other law for the time being in force.

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