Jyotiraditya Scindia Announces Major Strategic Reforms to Strengthen India’s Telecom Security Ecosystem for 2026

Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, today announced a set of major strategic reforms by the Department of Telecommunications to strengthen India’s telecom security ecosystem while significantly reducing compliance burden on industry. The reforms have been implemented through the National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) and are aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the principle of Design in India, Solve in India, Scale for the World. Union Minister Shri Scindia announced three major initiatives for the year 2026 aimed at bolstering national security while fostering a robust environment for the telecom industry. These milestone announcements include the strategic extension of the Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme, a significant reduction in application fees for Telecom Security Testing Laboratories (TSTL), and the simplification of security assurance requirements for Optical Network Terminator (ONT) devices. Together, these measures reflect the Government’s commitment to "Atmanirbhar Bharat" by reducing compliance burdens and enhancing the ease of doing business for domestic and international stakeholders.

1. DoT extends the Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme for two years from 01-01-2026

Department of Telecommunications, Govt. of India through its National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) has extended Pro Tem Certification Scheme beyond 01-01-2026 on an ongoing basis for a period of 2 (two) years.

Pro Tem Certification Scheme, was introduced in October, 2024 to help industry avoid disruption in business processes for IP Router and Wi-Fi CPE products, which otherwise were mandatory to be security certified starting 01-10-2024. The scheme was valid till and due for review from 31-12-2025. Under the Pro Tem certification, OEMs submit a declaration of conformance, stating that their equipment complies with most of the security requirements for applicable IP Router and Wi-Fi CPE products as per the Indian Telecommunication Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR). Simultaneously, the equipment is offered to Telecom Security Testing Lab (TSTL) for testing.  OEMs also submit an undertaking to address any shortfalls identified during the testing within the validity of the certificate. The scope of the Pro Tem certification has been further extended to cover 5G Core SMF, Optical Line Terminal, Optical Networking Terminal, and new product launches.

Till date, Department of Telecommunications through NCCS has issued 107 Pro Tem certificates, which have facilitated the continuity of business processes for OEMs without any disruption. Extending the availability of Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme for 2 (two) more years will ease the pressure on the industry regarding tough timelines for new product introduction and existing products deployment. Earlier, on 05-12-2025, Pro Tem Security Certification validity has been extended from existing 6 (six) months to 2 (two) years. This has empowered OEMs to maintain the product line continuity till two years, while the security certification testing is being done.

2. Reduction of TSTL designation application fee

The Department of Telecommunications, through National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS), has taken a significant policy step to strengthen India’s telecom security testing ecosystem, promote ease of doing business, and encourage wider participation in telecom security assurance.

NCCS has notified a substantial reduction exceeding 50% in the designation application fees for Telecom Security Testing Laboratories (TSTLs).

Telecom Security Testing Laboratories (TSTL) are laboratories designated to test the telecom equipment in line with Indian Telecommunication Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR) and Test Schedule and Test Procedure (TSTP). NCCS has designated 9 TSTLs (covering 27 telecom equipment / network functions) across the country as on date for the above purpose.

As part of multi-pronged initiatives to lessen the compliance cost of security testing and to promote ease of doing business in telecom security testing eco-system, NCCS has reduced the TSTL designation application fee structure which is being charged by NCCS by more than 50%.

Key Highlights of the revised TSTL designation applications fee structure:

1. Equal or more than 50% reduction in TSTL designation application fees across categories.

2. Simplified, application-based fee structure, replacing complex slabs.

3. Special concessions, aligned with TEC policy, including:

   1. 50% fee reduction for:

      1. Indian Startups.

      2. Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs).

      3. Women-owned enterprises.

   2. Complete fee waiver for:

      1. Central and State Government testing agencies.

      2. Government institutions, IITs, and autonomous bodies.

4. First-time TSTL designation application fees are now capped at significantly lower levels.

5. Additional scope expansion during validity is more affordable and predictable.

6. No fee for SSR (Specific Security Requirement) scope additions where CSR approval exists.

7. Lower renewal fees, encouraging continuity and long-term participation.

These measures are expected to expand the TSTL ecosystem, improve telecom security testing capacity, and reduce time-to-market for secure telecom products in India.

Major policy enablers and strategic impact of these reforms will:

• Strengthen national telecom security testing eco- system.

• Encourage private, academic, and government sector participation.

• Enable development of indigenous telecom security testing infrastructure and nurturing Government vision of “आत्मनिर्भर भारत”.

• Reinforce India’s position as a trusted telecom manufacturing and testing hub.

For more details please visit National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) Website at www.nccs.gov.in.

In July, 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) announced a sharp reduction of up to 95% in the security test evaluation fees for Telecom and ICT products. The DoT has also simplified the security testing and compliance process for Highly Specialized Equipment (HSE) and End-of-Sale / End-of-Life Telecom products. These moves signal the government's resolve to enable ease of doing business for both domestic and international Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the Telecom / ICT sectors.

3. DoT simplifies Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirement (ITSAR) certification of Optical Network Terminator (ONT) devices

In a yet another move to enhance the ease of doing business and to ensure business continuity for the industry, Department of Telecommunications, Govt. of India through its National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS) has simplified the ITSAR Security Certification process by identifying a group of customized variants of ONTs and testing them under a single certification procedure.

ITSAR for ONT, a device used at customer premises to access internet, was notified on 24-11-2023.  Security certification for the device has been made effective on voluntary basis with effect from 01-08-2024 and on mandatory basis with effect from 01-01-2026. Owing to compilation method provided by chipset vendors, these variants are built with different hash values even though the software version remains the same. This makes them not relatable and warranted a separate certification for each variant, which increased the security certification costs hugely resulting in large number representations from the industry for relief.  NCCS, with inputs from Industry representatives and consultation, has worked out a mechanism to reduce the ITSAR compliance burden and to effectively reduce the number of testing cases by 10 times, thereby providing substantial financial relief in security testing.