Any person intending to provide captive non-public network for the national service area may apply to the Central Government under rule 6 of Telecommunications (Authorisation for Captive Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026 to obtain authorisation to provide such services, in respect of the service area specified for the same.
(1) The captive non-public network service authorisation consists of authorisation to establish, operate, maintain or expand captive non-public network in a geographical area within the national service area, limited to geo coordinates of logical perimeter of the occupied premise, owned or leased, by a new authorised entity for captive non-public use.
(2) A new authorised entity may establish a new captive non-public network at a different geographical area within the national service area, limited to geo-coordinates of the logical perimeter of such occupied premise, after giving prior intimation to the Central Government on the portal, accompanied by the details of the geo-coordinates of logical perimeter of such geographical area.
(3) A new authorised entity that has captive non-public network at more than one geographical area within the national service area shall require only one captive non-public network service authorisation.
(4) A new authorised entity shall not use its telecommunication network to provide any commercial or public telecommunication service.
A person specified in clause (a) or (b), who also fulfils the condition specified in clause (c), shall be eligible to apply for authorisation under rule 6, namely:—
(a) it is a company—
(i) in which foreign direct investment, if any, is in conformity with the policy issued by the Government of India from time to time in respect of foreign direct investment and applicable law; and
(ii) the general character of whose management is sound in terms of its track record in providing telecommunication services or in establishing, operating, maintaining or expanding telecommunication networks in a responsible manner;
(b) it is—
(i) a Central Government Department;
(ii) a State Government Department;
(iii) a legislative body or its offices;
(iv) a Court;
(v) an administration of any Scheduled Areas or Scheduled Tribal Areas or any agency or autonomous organisation of such administration; or
(vi) any other Government-controlled entity;
(c) it has no pending dues:
Certified copy of the [Board Resolution/Resolution], on the applicant’s letterhead, authorising: (a) the submission of the application by the applicant; and (b) the person signing the application to be the authorised signatory
Certified copy of certificate of incorporation along with Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association .
Certificate for breakup of paid-up equity capital into Indian and foreign equity and further breakup of foreign equity
Certificate certifying that foreign direct investment (including from countries sharing land border with India), if any, in the applicant is in conformity with the policy issued by the Government of India from time to time in respect of FDI
Power of Attorney in favour of the authorised signatory.
Certificate certifying that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria under rule 5 of the Telecommunications (Authorisation for Captive Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026
Certificate certifying applicant’s compliance with sub-rule (4) of rule 6 of the Telecommunications (Authorisation for Captive Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026.
There shall be no authorisation fee to be paid by the authorised entity in respect of the CNPN service authorisation.
1
Eligibility Check
1. Company under Companies Act or Govt dept/parliament/court/agency
2. FDI compliant, no prohibited investors, clear past dues
2
Application Submission
1. Submit via Central Govt portal + documents + Rs. 10,000 processing fee
2. Existing licensees: Submit license migration proof
3. Multiple areas allowed, no duplicates same service/area
3
Government Review
1. Govt seeks clarifications/documents
2. 60-day target post-clarifications
4
Letter of Intent (LoI)
1. Required for CMRTS / VSAT (unlike CNPN/general)
2. Entry Fee: Nil
3. Initial Guarantee: Nill
4. Comply within timeframe (+30-day extension possible)
5
Authorisation Grant
1. LoI compliance → Unique authorisation number (Schedule B)
2. Service Area: Specific geo-coordinates within national area
3. Validity: 20 years (renewable)
Beta
Details of Service
(1) The captive non-public network service authorisation consists of authorisation to establish, operate, maintain or expand captive non-public network in a geographical area within the national service area, limited to geo coordinates of logical perimeter of the occupied premise, owned or leased, by a new authorised entity for captive non-public use.
(2) A new authorised entity may establish a new captive non-public network at a different geographical area within the national service area, limited to geo-coordinates of the logical perimeter of such occupied premise, after giving prior intimation to the Central Government on the portal, accompanied by the details of the geo-coordinates of logical perimeter of such geographical area.
(3) A new authorised entity that has captive non-public network at more than one geographical area within the national service area shall require only one captive non-public network service authorisation.
(4) A new authorised entity shall not use its telecommunication network to provide any commercial or public telecommunication service.
Who Can Apply
A person specified in clause (a) or (b), who also fulfils the condition specified in clause (c), shall be eligible to apply for authorisation under rule 6, namely:—
(a) it is a company—
(i) in which foreign direct investment, if any, is in conformity with the policy issued by the Government of India from time to time in respect of foreign direct investment and applicable law; and
(ii) the general character of whose management is sound in terms of its track record in providing telecommunication services or in establishing, operating, maintaining or expanding telecommunication networks in a responsible manner;
(b) it is—
(i) a Central Government Department;
(ii) a State Government Department;
(iii) a legislative body or its offices;
(iv) a Court;
(v) an administration of any Scheduled Areas or Scheduled Tribal Areas or any agency or autonomous organisation of such administration; or
(vi) any other Government-controlled entity;
(c) it has no pending dues:
Documents Required
Fees and Charges
There shall be no authorisation fee to be paid by the authorised entity in respect of the CNPN service authorisation.
Application Process
Statistics
Policy / Circular / Presentation
Validity
Captive Non-Public Network (CNPN) Service Authorisation is valid for 20 years from the effective date, unless otherwise specified under the Rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
A CNPN is a Captive Non-Public Network, meant exclusively for private, internal communication within an organisation’s premises.
Any company, Government Ministry/Department, Parliament, State Legislature, Court, or Government agency/autonomous body that needs a captive private network.
No. CNPN is strictly non-public, meant only for internal/closed user group communication.
CNPN can operate only within the geo-coordinates of the premises owned or leased by the authorised entity.
Yes, but each new CNPN location requires prior intimation to DoT along with geo-coordinates.
No, Entry Fee is Nil.
A non-refundable fee of ₹10,000 applies at the time of application.
Yes, if using wireless resources.
Spectrum assignment is handled separately under Section 4 rules.