The Telecommunication Engineering Center (TEC) operates as the technical arm of the Department of Telecommunications, tasked with developing standards and specifications for telecommunications goods, services, and networks.

TEC registration and certification are mandatory for any telecom product or network intended to interface with the Indian telecom network. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and importers wishing to sell, import, or utilize telecom equipment in India must obtain a TEC certificate from the Telecommunication Engineering Centre (TEC India), which is part of the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India.

To facilitate this process, TEC publishes Essential Requirements (ERs) that outline the standards for various product categories. Certification is granted to products that comply with these specifications, which encompass safety, electromagnetic interference (EMI), electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), technical performance, and security criteria. All products must undergo rigorous testing to ensure they meet these essential requirements.