India Clears The Way For ADAS & Self-Driving Tech - Exempts Automotive Radar From Licensing

India has removed spectrum licensing requirements for automotive radar and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication systems, clearing a significant regulatory hurdle for the wider adoption of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and future self-driving technologies. The move brings India in line with regulations already in place in the United States and Europe.

According to a Reuters report, the government has issued two separate notifications exempting automotive radar systems operating in the 77GHz-81GHz frequency band and V2X systems operating in the 5.9GHz band from licensing obligations. The change allows automakers and suppliers to deploy globally developed hardware in India without requiring market-specific modifications, reducing costs and speeding up adoption.

What It Means for ADAS In India

Radar sensors operating in the 77GHz-81GHz band form the core of several active safety features, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring. These same sensors also serve as foundational hardware for future autonomous driving systems.

The 5.9GHz band exemption supports V2X technology, enabling vehicles to communicate with other vehicles and roadside infrastructure. V2X systems can alert drivers to hazards that fall outside their direct line of sight, such as a vehicle braking around a blind corner or an approaching emergency vehicle.

Who Stands to Benefit?

Luxury manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz and BMW, which already offer radar-based driver assistance technology in other markets, can now deploy identical systems in India without additional regulatory steps. Domestic manufacturers Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra are also expected to benefit as ADAS penetration increases across the Indian market.

Tier-1 suppliers including Bosch, Continental and Qualcomm are among those expected to see expanded opportunities as a result of the spectrum deregulation. The elimination of licensing requirements is seen as a cost reduction measure that could help bring these technologies to a broader range of vehicle segments.

What It Could Mean For Road Safety Context

India recorded over 1,77,000 road deaths in nearly five lakh accidents in 2024, according to government data cited by Reuters. The government is counting on broader adoption of ADAS and V2X technologies to improve road safety outcomes, particularly in scenarios where driver visibility or conventional sensors are limited.

However, these notifications do not mandate the use of these technologies in new vehicles. They function solely as a regulatory enabler, removing a licensing barrier that previously made deployment in India more complex and expensive than in other major automotive markets.