Guidelines explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) issued these guidelines on 27 May 2025 (F. No. CCPA/9/2025-CCPA (Reg)) to stop unauthorised sale, distribution and use of wireless telegraphy apparatus, including walkie-talkies, on e-commerce platforms. They cover all e-commerce platforms catering to consumers in India, and manufacturers, importers and sellers of radio equipment. The rules in guideline 4 range from a ban on listing licensed equipment and on mobile signal boosters and wireless jammers to listing details, seller certifications, automated monitoring, a reporting mechanism and removal of listings within 24 hours of directions.
The guidelines are issued under section 18 of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and come into force from the date of their notification on the official website of the Department. This article takes them as amended up to 3 October 2026 (no amendment listed by the CCPA). Later amendments should be checked on the CCPA website. The Telecommunications Act and the rules of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) are separate and are not covered here; check them for the licensing position.
The guidelines apply to all e-commerce platforms operating in and outside India but catering to consumers in India, and to manufacturers, importers, sellers and service providers of radio equipment. Licensed equipment that needs a frequency assignment from DoT may not be listed, and mobile signal boosters and wireless jammers may not be listed or sold. Other listings must carry frequency ranges, Equipment Type Approval details and test reports, and platforms must remove non-compliant listings within 24 hours of directions from the DoCA or DoT. Non-compliance attracts consequences under the Act and other laws.
Platforms and sellers that list wireless products can ask for compliance advisory support before they update product pages or seller onboarding.
Objective, title and application
The objective is "to prevent unauthorized sale, distribution, and use of wireless telegraphy apparatuses including walkie-talkies on e-commerce platforms, ensuring compliance with national telecommunications and security regulations".
Guideline 1 gives the title and says the guidelines come into force from the date of their notification on the official website of the Department.
Guideline 2 applies them to (a) all e-commerce platforms operating in and outside India but catering to consumers in India, and (b) manufacturers, importers and sellers offering radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, and service providers offering services relating to use of such equipment. The reach is similar to rule 2 of the E-Commerce Rules, explained in the article on rules 1 and 2.
Guideline 3: definitions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Act | The Consumer Protection Act, 2019 |
| Radio Equipment | As defined under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 |
| Walkie-Talkies | Portable handheld two-way radio transceivers capable of transmitting and receiving while in motion or at rest |
| Unauthorized Devices | Any radio equipment, including walkie-talkies, which are (i) intended to operate solely in de-licensed frequency bands but lack Equipment Type Approval (ETA) from the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) Wing, for example Wi-Fi hotspots and Bluetooth devices; (ii) devices with ETA certification whose frequency range or transmission power has been altered or tampered with after certification; or (iii) capable of operating in licensed frequency bands but without any frequency assignment |
Guideline 4: compliance requirements
4(i) General bans
- (a) No radio equipment shall be listed or sold on e-commerce platforms if the possession or use of such equipment requires that a frequency assignment from DoT be obtained by the buyer. Such "licensed equipment" shall be purchased only from a dealer duly authorised by DoT (a DPA holder) listed on the Saral Sanchar portal of DoT.
- (b) Online platforms shall not allow listing or sale of mobile signal boosters and wireless jammers on their platform.
4(ii) Product listing
Product listings shall specify frequency ranges and other technical parameters and include proof of regulatory approval (Equipment Type Approval). The requirements depend on the category of equipment.
| Category | What the listing must show |
|---|---|
| (i) Equipment capable of operating in unlicensed bands only, such as Wi-Fi hotspots and Bluetooth devices | The relevant ETA details issued by DoT, with a copy of the ETA available for download; the operating frequency range or ranges; a copy of the relevant Test Report from an accredited test laboratory for download |
| (ii) Equipment capable of operating in licensed bands but exempt from an individual licence for the user, such as broadcast receivers | The relevant notification number and date issued by DoT or DGFT, displayed prominently for the user to verify |
| (iii) Equipment capable of operating in both licensed and unlicensed bands, such as mobile handsets and point-of-sale devices | Both sets of requirements, (i) and (ii) |
Two further requirements apply for licence-exempt equipment in categories (i) and (iii).
- (iv) The platform shall ensure that the seller has certified that the equipment has not been altered to operate using parameters other than those permitted in the ETA.
- (v) The platform shall ensure that the seller certifies that he or she has personally verified that the Test Report has not been altered from the original report prepared by the accredited test laboratory.
Listings lacking frequency information or necessary certification shall be taken down (4(ii)(B)).
4(iii) Automated monitoring
Platforms shall implement automated keyword and frequency-based scanning to detect and flag non-compliant listings.
4(iv) Reporting mechanism
A user-friendly reporting mechanism for the public to report illegal or suspicious listings shall be provided.
4(v) Responsibilities of sellers
- Ensure that equipment listed for sale does not operate on frequencies that are not exempted from the requirement of frequency assignment and authorisation by DoT.
- Ensure that the frequency bands in the product description are clearly labelled.
- Comply with the import, possession and distribution laws for wireless communication devices and equipment in the country.
4(vi) Responsibilities of online platforms
- Ensure the seller of licence-exempt equipment certifies that he or she has personally verified that the Test Report has not been altered from the original.
- Remove any non-compliant listing within 24 hours of receiving directions from the DoCA or DoT.
4(vii) Enforcement and penalties
- Non-compliance by platforms or sellers attracts consequences and penalties as per the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and other applicable laws.
- Persistent violations result in blacklisting of sellers and platform liability.
- The guidelines do not preclude enforcement and penalties by DoT.
The Act's provisions are in the articles on sections 88 and 89 and section 94. This article quotes no penalty amount.
4(viii) Collaboration with regulators
Platforms shall cooperate with regulators to ensure real-time takedowns and enforcement actions, and regular audits and compliance reports shall be submitted to the authorities as required by law in force.
4(ix) Public awareness
- (a) Platforms shall display notices on the risks and legal implications of purchasing unauthorised walkie-talkies.
- (b) Platforms may encourage informed consumer behaviour by educating users on frequency compliance.
4(x) Review and amendment
The guidelines are to be reviewed periodically by the regulatory authority in consultation with stakeholders and amended as necessary to address emerging risks and technological changes.
Example for a platform
Skyline Marketplace receives a listing for a handheld walkie-talkie that needs a frequency assignment from DoT. Guideline 4(i)(a) says it may not be listed. A listing for a Bluetooth speaker lacks ETA details and a test report: it must be taken down under 4(ii)(B) unless it is corrected. If the DoCA directs removal of a listing, Skyline must remove it within 24 hours.
Where the guidelines fit with the E-Commerce Rules
The listing duties build on the E-Commerce Rules' duties of marketplaces and sellers: a marketplace's display and record duties are in the article on rule 5(3), the grievance and helpline duties in the article on rule 4(4) to (7) and inventory entities in the article on rules 7 and 8. For product standards certification more broadly, see the post on BIS compliance for e-commerce products.
Need help with listing and takedown compliance?
Platforms need monitoring, seller certification and a fast takedown process, and sellers need accurate listings. Our compliance advisory team can review your listing templates, seller declarations and takedown workflow against these guidelines.
Key takeaways
- The guidelines apply to e-commerce platforms catering to Indian consumers and to manufacturers, importers, sellers and service providers of radio equipment.
- Licensed equipment needing a frequency assignment may not be listed; mobile signal boosters and wireless jammers may not be listed or sold.
- Listings must show frequency ranges, ETA details and test reports, with seller certifications for licence-exempt equipment.
- Non-compliant listings must be removed within 24 hours of directions from the DoCA or DoT.
- Platforms must run automated scanning, offer a user-friendly reporting mechanism and display awareness notices.
- Penalties come under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and other laws; DoT's enforcement is not excluded.
Read next
- Rules 1 and 2 of the E-Commerce Rules: scope and who is covered
- Rule 4(4)–(7) of the E-Commerce Rules: grievance officer, imported goods and the National Consumer Helpline
- Rules 7 and 8 of the E-Commerce Rules: inventory entities and contravention
- BIS compliance for e-commerce products
Disclaimer: Based on the rules, regulations and guidelines named above as published in the Gazette of India or on the CCPA website, with the amending notifications the article names (consulted on 3 October 2026). Later amendments, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 provisions referred to, State rules and CCPA advisories should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.