On June 10, 2026, India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued Government of India Gazette Notice No. G.S.R. 466(E). This notice removes the spectrum licensing requirement for the 5.9 GHz frequency band for Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) communications.
This spectrum is typically used for on-board units. Previously, on-board units relying on C-V2X communications required a radio license to operate in India.
This was seen as a barrier that slowed the widespread adoption of connected vehicle technology in the country. In this article, we will discuss the changes introduced by this new regulation and their implications for manufacturers seeking Type Approval in India.
Key Changes
Gazette No. G.S.R. 466(E) exempts vehicle-mounted units from licensing requirements, provided that such units are used exclusively for C-V2X communications within Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS).
Devices exempt from this regulation are those operating in the 5.9 GHz frequency band, specifically the 5875–5905 MHz frequency range. As such, no license is required to sell or use vehicle-mounted C-V2X units in India.
Use of this frequency band is permitted under the principles of non-interference, non-protection, and non-exclusivity. This means that the devices must not interfere with other licensed systems and are not guaranteed protection from interference caused by other parties.
RSUs Still Require Permits
This new regulation applies specifically to On-Board Units (OBUs), which are radio devices that support communications such as vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), and vehicle-to-network (V2N).
This exemption does not cover Roadside Units (RSUs), which are the infrastructure side of vehicle-to-infrastructure communication. The installation of RSUs still requires a separate permit. Manufacturers working on both the vehicle and infrastructure sides of the C-V2X system should take note of this.
Technical Parameters for On-Board Units
Although On-Board Units are no longer subject to licensing requirements, the Indian government still requires these devices to operate within designated frequency bands. The parameters are as follows:
| Frequency Range | Max Power Spectral Density EIRP (In-Band) | Max EIRP (In-Band) | Max Out-of-Band Emissions (PSD) |
| 5875–5905 MHz | 23 dBm/MHz | 33 dBm | −30 dBm/MHz |
These parameters serve as technical limitations that manufacturers must comply with in their product designs.
Impact on India Type Approval Certification
Previously, licensing was considered an obstacle to the adoption of C-V2X technology. Its elimination is certainly good news for manufacturers looking to market connected vehicle systems in India.
However, it is important to note that the elimination of this licensing requirement does not eliminate India’s type approval certification requirement. Installed units using C-V2X technology must still obtain type approval through the WPC ETA scheme.
Without Type Approval, devices cannot be legally marketed or installed in India. Products that have already received ETA approval do not need to submit a new application simply because this licensing requirement has been eliminated.
In other words, manufacturers, importers, and distributors now face one fewer regulatory hurdle (licensing), but Type Approval certification remains a mandatory step.
To facilitate the planning of marketing C-V2X on-board units to the Indian market, you can contact Narmadi Company. We are ready to help you navigate the WPC ETA Type Approval process and ensure your devices meet the technical parameters in accordance with the new regulations.
