DoT Clears Way For Self-Driving, Safety Car Tech In India
12 Jun 2026 7:04 PM IST12 Jun 2026 7:04 PM IST
The DoT also specifies technical parameters for exempted equipment. “The maximum average equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) has been capped at 50 dBm, while the maximum peak EIRP is limited to 55 dBm. The maximum emission bandwidth has been fixed at 4 GHz,” the DoT said in its notification.
The department of telecommunications (DoT) under the telecommunications ministry on Friday exempted short-range automotive radar systems operating in the 77–81 GHz frequency band from licensing requirements. The move of the government is expected to support the adoption of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and vehicle safety technologies across India. (By Arrangement)
New Delhi: The telecom department on Friday scrapped licensing requirements for spectrum used by short-range automotive radar systems (ADAS) in cars, removing a commercial barrier for automakers to introduce self-driving cars in the country.
With this, the automakers can use radar sensors in the 77GHz to 81 GHz frequency band and 5.9 GHz without any specific permission from the government.
The 77GHz to 81 GHz frequency band will be for collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection and other safety applications in connected and autonomous vehicles, while the 5.9 GHz band will be used to enable vehicles to communicate with each other and roadside infrastructure.
The move aligns India with standards used in the US and the European Union, allowing carmakers to deploy standardised, off-the-shelf hardware rather than build costlier local versions, lowering costs and speeding adoption.
Luxury carmakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW, which already offer radar-based driver assistance abroad, can roll out the same systems in India. Domestic players Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra could more easily introduce advanced driver-assistance systems, pushing premium safety features into cheaper models.
Radar sensors help gauge safe distances and enable features such as emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warnings, forming a foundation for autonomous driving. Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems warn drivers of hazards beyond their line of sight, such as a car braking around a blind curve or an approaching ambulance.
The DoT also specifies technical parameters for exempted equipment. “The maximum average equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) has been capped at 50 dBm, while the maximum peak EIRP is limited to 55 dBm. The maximum emission bandwidth has been fixed at 4 GHz,” the DoT said in its notification.
The telecom department, however, noted that the manufacturers and users must ensure that their systems do not cause harmful interference to licensed radio services. “If an interference is reported, authorities may direct users to discontinue operation or take corrective measures such as relocating equipment, reducing transmission power, or using specified antennas.”
The 77GHz to 81 GHz frequency band will be for collision avoidance, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot detection and other safety applications in connected and autonomous vehicles, while the 5.9 GHz band will be used to enable vehicles to communicate with each other and roadside infrastructure.
The move aligns India with standards used in the US and the European Union, allowing carmakers to deploy standardised, off-the-shelf hardware rather than build costlier local versions, lowering costs and speeding adoption.
Luxury carmakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW, which already offer radar-based driver assistance abroad, can roll out the same systems in India. Domestic players Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra could more easily introduce advanced driver-assistance systems, pushing premium safety features into cheaper models.
Radar sensors help gauge safe distances and enable features such as emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warnings, forming a foundation for autonomous driving. Vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems warn drivers of hazards beyond their line of sight, such as a car braking around a blind curve or an approaching ambulance.
The DoT also specifies technical parameters for exempted equipment. “The maximum average equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP) has been capped at 50 dBm, while the maximum peak EIRP is limited to 55 dBm. The maximum emission bandwidth has been fixed at 4 GHz,” the DoT said in its notification.
The telecom department, however, noted that the manufacturers and users must ensure that their systems do not cause harmful interference to licensed radio services. “If an interference is reported, authorities may direct users to discontinue operation or take corrective measures such as relocating equipment, reducing transmission power, or using specified antennas.”
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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