1. Applications Opened: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
has started accepting applications for:
o Fresh authorisations to provide
telecommunication services.
o Migration of existing telecom licences to
the new authorisation framework under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
2. Legal Basis: The
move follows the notification of:
o Telecommunication Rules for Authorisation
for Provision of Telecommunication Services under
Section 3(1)(a).
o Telecommunication Rules for Migration of
Licence to Authorisation under Section 3(6) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
3. Notification Date: Both
sets of rules were notified
on 23 June 2026.
4. Digital-by-Design Approach: In
line with the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the implementation follows the
principle of "Digital
by Design", enabling an entirely online application
process.
5. Online Application Modules: The
DoT has made operational:
o A module for fresh authorisation applications.
o A module for migration of existing licences.
6. Application Portal:
Applicants can submit applications through the Telecom eServices Portal.
7. Reason for the New Framework: The
authorisation regime replaces the earlier licensing approach, simplifying the
process and aligning it with the provisions of the Telecommunications Act,
2023.
8. Background: On 24 October 2025, DoT had
announced the temporary
suspension of accepting new applications for:
o Unified Licences (UL)
o Unified Licence (VNO)
o Standalone Licences
o Registrations
o Permissions
o No Objection Certificates (NOCs)
9. Effective Date of Suspension: The
suspension came into effect from 10
November 2025.
10. Purpose of Suspension: The
pause was an interim measure pending the notification and implementation of the
new authorisation
framework under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
·
Ministry:
Ministry of Communications
·
Department:
Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
·
Law:
Telecommunications Act, 2023
·
Relevant
Sections:
o Section 3(1)(a):
Authorisation for provision of telecommunication services
o Section 3(6):
Migration of existing licences to authorisations
·
Rules
Notified: 23 June 2026
·
Application
Mode: Online ("Digital by Design")
·
Portal:
Telecom eServices Portal
·
Previous
Suspension Announced: 24 October 2025
·
Suspension
Effective From: 10 November 2025
[ABS News Service/26.06.2026]
The
Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has officially commenced the acceptance of
applications for obtaining authorisations for providing telecommunication services,
as well as for the migration of existing licenses to the terms and conditions of
authorisation under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
This
development follows the notification of telecommunication rules for authorisation
for provision of telecommunication services under clause (a) of sub-section (1)
of section 3 of the Telecommunications Act, 2023 which have been notified on the
23rd of June 2026. Similarly, telecommunication rules for migration of license to
the terms and conditions of authorisation under sub-section (6) of section 3 of
the Telecommunications Act, 2023 have also been notified on the 23rd of June 2026.
As
envisaged under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the provisions of the aforesaid
rules are being implemented using the principle of “digital by design”. To facilitate
this, application modules for both obtaining a fresh authorisation and migrating
existing licenses have been made operational.
Applicants
can now submit their applications online through the “Telecom eServices Portal” at the following URL: https://eservices.dot.gov.in/authorisation-portal
Previously,
via a Press Release dated October 24, 2025, the Department of Telecommunications
had suspended, as an interim measure, the acceptance of new applications for issuing
Unified Licenses, Unified License (VNO), Standalone Licenses, Registrations, Permissions,
and No Objection Certificates with effect from November 10, 2025. This suspension
was put in place pending the notification of the new authorisation framework.