The telecom ministry has unveiled a 2026 plan focused on making networks more secure while cutting red tape and costs for equipment makers, labs and internet providers, positioning the country as a trusted global telecom manufacturing and testing hub.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through the National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS), has announced three key moves for 2026: extending a special security certification window, sharply cutting fees for security testing labs and simplifying security checks for home fibre devices.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia says these steps support the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the idea of “Design in India, Solve in India, Scale for the World”.
The Pro Tem Security Certification Scheme, which lets companies keep selling certain products while full security testing is underway, has been extended for two more years from January 1, 2026.
BIG BOOST TO MISSION ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT! 🇮🇳
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) December 29, 2025
As our digital networks expand rapidly to connect every citizen, securing them becomes our foremost priority. In this light, it is an honour to announce that @DoT_India, through the National Centre for Communication Security (NCCS), is…
The scheme, which began in October 2024 for IP routers and Wi‑Fi CPEs, now also covers 5G Core SMF, Optical Line Terminals, Optical Network Terminators (ONTs) and new launches. Companies declare that their products meet most Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR), submit them to a Telecom Security Testing Lab (TSTL) and commit to fixing any gaps found during testing.
So far, 107 Pro Tem certificates have been issued, and the validity of each has already been lengthened from six months to two years, making it easier to maintain product lines while tests are completed.
Cheaper, broader security testing ecosystem
NCCS has cut TSTL designation application fees by more than 50 per cent and simplified the fee structure. There are already nine designated TSTLs covering 27 types of telecom equipment and network functions across the country.
The new fee regime offers 50 per cent cuts for Indian startups, micro and small enterprises (MSMEs) and women‑owned firms, and full waivers for central/state government labs, IITs and other government institutions. Renewal and scope‑expansion fees have also been reduced, which should help more labs enter and stay in the ecosystem, speeding up time‑to‑market for secure telecom products.
Easier security checks for ONT devices
The ministry also simplified ITSAR security certification for ONT devices—the modem-like box installed at homes and offices. From January 1, 2026, ONT security certification becomes mandatory, but NCCS has created a way to group customised variants under a single certification, cutting the number of test cases by about 10 times and significantly lowering costs.
The ministry said that it follows the July 2025 decision to reduce security test evaluation fees for telecom/ICT products by up to 95 per cent and to ease rules for highly specialised and end‑of‑life equipment, all aimed at making India a more attractive base for telecom manufacturing and R&D.
