DoT cuts telecom security test evaluation fees by up to 95% under ComSec
The Department of Telecommunications announced on 4 August 2025 a reduction of up to 95% in security test evaluation fees for telecom and ICT products under the Communication Security Certification Scheme, effective 1 August 2025.
Summary
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) announced on 4 August 2025 a reduction of up to 95% in security test evaluation fees for telecom and ICT products under the Communication Security Certification Scheme (ComSec), effective from 1 August 2025, to ease compliance especially for domestic manufacturers and MSMEs. Fees that earlier ranged from ₹2,00,000 to ₹3,50,000 now stand at ₹10,000 for Group A, ₹20,000 for Group B, ₹30,000 for Group C and ₹50,000 for Group D equipment. Government R&D institutes such as C-DOT and CDAC are fully exempted from the fees for applications submitted until 31 March 2028. IP routers, Wi-Fi CPEs and 5G Core SMF are under mandatory security testing, while Optical Line Terminals and Optical Networking Terminals are under voluntary certification.
Key facts
- Announced
- 4 Aug 2025 (effective 1 Aug 2025)
- Scheme
- Communication Security Certification Scheme (ComSec)
- Cut
- Up to 95%
- New fees
- Group A ₹10,000; B ₹20,000; C ₹30,000; D ₹50,000
- Old fees
- ₹2,00,000 to ₹3,50,000
- Exemption
- Govt R&D institutes (C-DOT, CDAC) till 31 Mar 2028
- Mandatory testing
- IP routers, Wi-Fi CPEs, 5G Core SMF
- Voluntary
- OLTs and ONTs
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Under the revised ComSec fee structure effective 1 August 2025, what is the security test evaluation fee for Group A telecom equipment?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ₹10,000
Fees for Group A equipment dropped to ₹10,000 from ₹2,00,000 under the revised ComSec structure.
Consider the following statements about the DoT's ComSec changes announced in August 2025: 1. Optical Line Terminals and Optical Networking Terminals are under mandatory security testing. 2. Government R&D institutes such as C-DOT and CDAC are fully exempted from security test evaluation fees for applications until 31 March 2028. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: Optical Line Terminals and Optical Networking Terminals are subject to voluntary security certification. Statement 2 is correct: C-DOT, CDAC and other government R&D institutes are fully exempted for applications until 31 March 2028.
By up to what percentage did the Department of Telecommunications cut security test evaluation fees under the ComSec scheme, as announced on 4 August 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 95%
95%; fees that earlier ranged from ₹2,00,000 to ₹3,50,000 now range from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000.