77–81 GHz Automotive Radar Systems Exempted from Licensing
Requirements
1.
The Ministry of Communications (Department of
Telecommunications) has notified the Use
of Short-Range Automotive Radar System in the 77–81 GHz Band (Exemption from
Licensing Requirements) Rules, 2026. The rules came into force
on 11 June 2026,
the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
2.
The rules apply to Short-Range
Automotive Radar Systems (SRARS) operating in the 77–81 GHz frequency band,
commonly used for vehicle safety and radiolocation applications.
3.
Vehicles covered include passenger cars, buses, trucks,
motorcycles, scooters, construction vehicles, rail vehicles, aircraft during
taxiing, and vessels operating within India's territorial waters.
4.
Eligible radar systems are exempt from:
o Radio-frequency
assignment requirements; and
o Licensing requirements
for possession, sale, or hire of such equipment.
5.
The exemption is granted on a non-interference, non-protection, and
non-exclusive basis, meaning users cannot claim protection from
interference and must not cause harmful interference to licensed systems.
6.
Technical parameters prescribed for these radar systems
include:
o Frequency band: 77–81 GHz
o Maximum average EIRP: 50 dBm
o Maximum peak EIRP: 55 dBm
o Maximum emission
bandwidth: 4 GHz
o Maximum unwanted
emissions limit: –30 dBm/MHz.
7.
Manufacturers or applicants must obtain equipment type approval
through a designated DoT portal for each equipment type, unless approval has
already been granted for a similar equipment type and published on the portal.
8.
The radar systems must comply with standards notified by
the Bureau of Indian
Standards (BIS) or the Central Government. In the absence of
Indian standards, relevant international standards will apply.
9.
If a licensed telecom or wireless system experiences
harmful interference from an exempted radar system, the Government may direct
the user to take corrective measures such as relocation, power reduction, or
use of specified antennas.
10.
The notification aims to facilitate deployment of advanced
automotive radar technologies for vehicle safety and driver-assistance systems
while ensuring protection of licensed radio communications.