India has unveiled a comprehensive set of strategic reforms to strengthen its telecom security ecosystem while significantly reducing compliance costs and operational burdens for the industry, marking a major policy push as the country prepares for next-generation digital expansion in 2026. The reforms, announced by the Union Minister for Communications, focus on balancing national security imperatives with ease of doing business, innovation, and self-reliance in telecom manufacturing and testing.
The measures have been implemented through the Department of Telecommunications and its specialised arm, the National Centre for Communication Security, and are aligned with the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Design in India Solve in India Scale for the World. Together, the initiatives are expected to improve security assurance, accelerate product deployment, and strengthen India’s position as a trusted global telecom hub.
A key decision is the extension of the Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme for a further two years beginning January 1, 2026. Originally introduced in October 2024, the scheme was designed to prevent business disruptions arising from mandatory security certification timelines for IP routers and Wi Fi customer premises equipment. Under the Pro Tem mechanism, original equipment manufacturers submit a declaration of conformity to Indian telecom security standards while their products simultaneously undergo testing at designated Telecom Security Testing Laboratories. Any gaps identified during testing are required to be addressed within the certificate validity period.
The scheme, which was earlier set to end on December 31, 2025, has already facilitated uninterrupted business operations through the issuance of 107 Pro Tem certificates. Its scope has now been expanded to cover additional critical equipment categories, including 5G Core Session Management Function, Optical Line Terminals, Optical Network Terminators, and newly launched products. The extension, coupled with the earlier decision to increase certificate validity from six months to two years, provides manufacturers greater certainty and flexibility in product lifecycle management while security testing proceeds in parallel.
In another major reform, the Department of Telecommunications has sharply reduced application fees for the designation of Telecom Security Testing Laboratories. The revised fee structure brings down costs by more than 50 percent across categories, replacing complex slab-based charges with a simplified, application-based system. Special concessions have been introduced to encourage wider participation, including a 50 percent fee reduction for Indian startups, micro and small enterprises, and women-owned enterprises, along with complete fee waivers for central and state government testing agencies, public institutions, IITs, and autonomous bodies.
First-time laboratory applicants will now face significantly lower entry costs, while renewal and scope expansion fees have also been reduced to promote long-term participation. No fees will be charged for specific security requirement additions where prior approvals exist. These measures are expected to expand the national testing ecosystem, shorten certification timelines, and reduce time to market for secure telecom products.
The third major reform addresses long-standing industry concerns over the security certification of Optical Network Terminator devices, which are widely deployed at customer premises for broadband access. Although the security certification requirement for these devices becomes mandatory from January 1, 2026, the certification process has been simplified by grouping customised variants under a single certification procedure. Previously, minor variations generated by chipset compilation methods required separate certification for each variant, significantly increasing compliance costs. The new approach is expected to reduce testing cases by nearly ten times, offering substantial financial relief while maintaining security assurance.
These reforms build on earlier measures announced in 2025, including reductions of up to 95 percent in security test evaluation fees for telecom and information communication technology products and simplified compliance for highly specialised and end of life equipment. Collectively, they signal a clear policy direction to strengthen national telecom security without stifling innovation or investment.
With enhanced governance, expanded testing capacity, and industry-friendly compliance mechanisms, the government aims to reinforce trust in India’s telecom infrastructure, support indigenous manufacturing, and ensure secure, resilient networks as the country moves towards a digitally empowered future.
