In December 2025, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Madhavrao (M.) Scindia, Ministry of Communications, announced 3 major reforms introduced by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications, through its National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS), aimed to bolster India’s telecom security ecosystem.
- The DoT has extended the Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme for two years starting 1 January 2026 and also introduced key measures, including reduced application fees for Telecom Security Testing Laboratories (TSTLs) and simplified security assurance requirements for Optical Network Terminator (ONT) devices.
Exam Hints:
- What? Announcement of 3 Major Telecom Reforms
- Announced by: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Ministry of Communications
- Reforms Introduced by: DoT through its NCCS
- Key Reforms:
- Extension of Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme for 2 years (from January 01, 2026);
- More than 50% reduction in application fees for TSTL;
- Simplification of security assurance requirements for ONT devices.
About Pro Tem Certification Scheme:
Aim: The Scheme, introduced in October 2024, was designed to prevent business disruptions for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) whose products particularly Internet Protocol (IP) Routers and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) devices, which otherwise were mandatory to be security certified from October 01, 2024.
- Initially, the scheme was scheduled to remain valid till and due for review from December 31, 2025.
Conformance of Declaration: Under the scheme, the OEMs submit a declaration of conformance which states 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).
Expansion of Scheme: The NCCS has expanded the scope of the scheme to include critical components like: 5G Core Session Management Function (SMF); Optical Line Terminals (OLT); Optical Network Terminators, and new product launches.
Total Certificates: So far, a total of 107 certificates have been issued by the DoT through NCCS, facilitating the continuity of business processes for OEMs without any disruption.
Other Key Reforms:
Reduction of TSTL Designation Fee: NCCS has reduced more than 50% in the designation application fees for TSTLs, laboratories designated to test the telecom equipment in line with ITSAR and Test Schedule and Test Procedure (TSTP).
- At present, NCCS has 9 designated TSTLs across the country, covering 27 telecom equipment and network functions.
- Special Concessions: NCCS also provides special concessions like: 50% fee reduction for Indian startups, Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs), and women-owned enterprises.
- Complete Fee Waiver: It also offers complete fee waivers to central and state government testing agencies, government institutions, Indian Institute of Technologies (IITs), and autonomous bodies.
- Other Key Changes: It has also introduced other key changes in fee structure such as: lowering the renewal fees, making the scope expansion more affordable. Also, no fees will be charged for Specific Security Requirement (SSR) additions when Common Security Requirement (CSR) approval already exists.
Simplification of ITSAR certification of ONT Devices: The DoT has simplified ITSAR certification process for ONT devices, which are deployed at customer premises for internet access. Under the new mechanism, the customized variants of ONTs will now be tested under a single certification procedure.
- This new certification process is expected to reduce the number of testing cases by nearly 10 times, easing substantial financial burden in security testing.
- Originally, ITSAR for ONT devices was notified on November 24, 2023, with voluntary-based certification came into effect from August 01, 2024 and mandatory certification with effect from January 01, 2026.
About NCCS:
Overview: NCCS has been assigned the responsibility of conducting security testing under the ComSec (Communication Security) Scheme, which forms part of the Mandatory Testing and Certification of Telecom Equipment (MTCTE) framework.
Framework: MTCTE framework was 1st notified in September 2017 and subsequently replaced by the Telecommunications (Framework to Notify Standards, Conformity Assessment, and Certification) Rules, 2025.
About Ministry of Communications:
Union Minister- Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (Constituency- Guna, Madhya Pradesh, MP)
Minister of State (MoS)- Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani (Constituency- Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, AP)
