How to Be a Ham

Frequently Asked Questions (Amateur Radio in India)

1. What is Amateur Radio (HAM)?

A non-commercial hobby in radio communication—practical experimentation, personal use, inter‑communication.

2. Who can become a HAM?

Any citizen of India aged 12 years or above can appear for the Amateur Station Operator’s Certificate (ASOC) exam to qualify for a licence
.

3. Licence Categories

• Restricted Grade (formerly Grade II / II Restricted):

  • Age: 12+

  • Power: ≤ 10 W (VHF/UHF), 50 W (HF)

  • Exam: 1 hour, 25 radio theory + 25 regulations questions

  • Pass criteria: ≥ 40% per section, ≥50% overall

• General Grade (formerly Grade I / Advanced):

  • Age: 12+

  • Power: ≤ 25 W (VHF/UHF), 400 W (HF)

  • Exam: 2 hours, 50 Qs each section + Morse proficiency at 8 wpm

  • Pass criteria: ≥ 50% per section, ≥55% overall

4. Examination & Syllabus

• Written test covers:

  1. Radio Theory & Practice — electricity, magnetism, AC/DC theory, semiconductors, circuit components, antennas.

  2. Radio Regulations — Indian & international radio rules, frequency bands, Q‑codes, phonetic alphabet, distress protocols.

• General Grade requires additional Morse code send/receive test at 8 wps.

• Engineering/science/diploma in electronics or telecom holders may be exempted from the theory section if they supply valid certificates
  .

5. Application Process & Fees

• Examination fee: ₹ 100 per category (Restricted or General); ₹ 200 if applying for both simultaneousl

• Licence fee: ₹ 1000 for 20‑year validity, or ₹ 2000 for lifetime (up to age 80)

• Paid via Bharatkosh / NTRP portal; receipt required with application
  .

6. Exam Centres & Frequency

• Conducted monthly in major metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai), every couple of months in cities like Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Hyderabad; smaller towns quarterly or if candidate count warrants local exa

• Examination may be held at any WPC Wireless Monitoring Station across India based on logistics

7. Application Documentation

• Must include:

  • Attested birth proof (birth certificate or SSC leaving certificate)

  • Nationality proof per prescribed form

  • Two passport-size photographs

  • Copies of personal details (not xerox)

  • No Objection Certificate if applicant is under 18 (from parent/guardian/institution head)

  • Exemption certificates if qualifying under science/engineering criteria

8. License Issuance

• After exam, WPC processes Police and Home Ministry clearance (if applicable). Timeline can take up to 12 months.

• Licences are issued via SaralSanchar portal only since August 2020

 

📡 Amateur Radio (ASOC) Registration & Exam Guidelines

The WPC Wing, DOT, Ministry of Communications, Government of India has notified via Office Memorandum File No. Project/ASMS/02/2019 (Part-1) dated 27 July 2020 that with effect from 1 August 2020, all applications for Amateur Radio are to be submitted only online via:
https://saralsanchar.gov.in

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📂 Reference Documents (Issued by WPC Wing)

1. Office Memorandum dated 28 Feb 2025
2. Telecommunications (Amateur Services) Rules 2024
3. Office Memorandum dated 27 Jul 2020

📮 Licensing Authority Contact

The Assistant Wireless Adviser to the Government of India
Ministry of Communications
Department of Telecommunications
Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing
Amateur Section, 6th Floor, Sanchar Bhavan,
20 Ashoka Road, New Delhi – 110001, India
📞 Tel: 011-2303 6181 / 2303 6539 / 2335 5441
✉️ Email: awacop-dot@gov.in

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📝 Registration Process

🧾 Requirements to Register on SARAL Sanchar

1. PAN Card Number (Parent/Guardian’s if minor)
2. Active mobile number to receive OTP via SMS
3. Email logged in to receive OTP
4. Go to saralsanchar.gov.in, click Registration from top menu
5. Choose: Individual (WPC Exams/Certificates) under Registration Type

📄 Documents Required for ASOC Exam Application

• Passport size photo – JPG, 300×300 px
• Signature – JPG, 300×300 px, ≤150 KB
• Date of Birth proof (Birth/SSC Certificate with father’s name) – PDF ≤ 1 MB
• Present Address proof (Aadhaar, Voter ID, etc.) – PDF ≤ 1 MB
• Permanent Address proof – Same as above
• Nationality Certificate
  • Passport copy (PDF, self-attested), or
  • Certificate in prescribed format (attested by gazetted officer)
• Exemption Certificate (if applicable) – PDF ≤ 1 MB
• Latitude & Longitude of station location

💻 Filling the Application Form

After logging in, click “WPC Apply Now” → then click “Go” under Amateur Radio Exam.
Follow the form instructions carefully.

💳 Payment Instructions

• ₹100 if applying for one grade (Restricted or General)
• ₹200 if applying for both grades

🔍 Scrutiny and Corrections

After submission, WPC/DoT will verify your application. If documents are incorrect or missing, you’ll be notified by SMS/email and asked to re-upload.
Track all updates via the SARAL Sanchar Dashboard.
You can also raise support tickets or contact the WPC nodal officer through the portal.

🎫 Admit Card Download

1. Login to saralsanchar.gov.in
2. Click: Apply for Examinations
3. Select: Amateur – Apply Now
4. Go to: Current Application → Action → Download Admit Card

📌 Carry a printed copy of the admit card, along with ID proof and original documents on exam day.

📝 Application for Amateur Radio License via SaralSanchar

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⚠️ Important Notice

As per official notification dated 27 July 2020, with effect from 1 August 2020, all Amateur Radio licence applications must be submitted exclusively online through:

👉 https://saralsanchar.gov.in

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📄 Eligibility & Time Limit

• Licence application can be submitted only after passing the ASOC exam.
• The application must be filed within 2 years of clearing the exam.

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💰 Fee Structure

Licence Grade	Validity	Fee
Restricted Grade	20 Years / Life	₹1,000 / ₹2,000
General Grade	20 Years / Life	₹1,000 / ₹2,000

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🖱️ Steps to Apply

1. Visit https://saralsanchar.gov.in
2. Log in to your account.
3. Click “WPC Apply Now”
4. Navigate to “Apply for Certificates”
5. Click “Amateur – Apply Now”
6. Choose the licence grade and validity.
7. Complete the online payment.
8. Upload the required supporting documents.

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✅ Post-Submission Process

• Your application will be reviewed by the authorities.
• If any corrections or clarifications are needed, you’ll receive an alert via SMS/email.
• After approval, your licence certificate will be available for download. Go to:
  • Dashboard → Certificates → Amateur → Current Application → Action → Download Certificate

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📌 Additional Options

You can also use the same portal to apply for:

• Change of station location
• Issue of duplicate licence
• Licence renewal