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It will not impact ongoing Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) or updates on equipment already in service
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TebNad;iStockphoto
Heightened risks of cyber attacks on critical infrastructure following Operation Sindoor have prompted the Centre to implement additional security firewalls around power infrastructures, including transmission grids and distribution systems.
In line with procedures followed in the telecommunications sector, the Centre has proposed the mandatory use of information technology (IT) and telecom equipment from “trusted sources” in the power sector.
A senior government official confirmed that the Power Ministry is assessing cyber security preparedness, which is also a continuous and evolving exercise with Ministries that handle critical infrastructure, such as power, internet services, banking, etc.
In a memorandum on June 5 accessed by businessline, the Ministry of Power has notified all Secretaries of State Power/ Energy, Discoms and all Statutory bodies, conveying that it has set up a ‘Trusted Telecom Portal’ for ensuring only trusted telecom equipment are used in the power sector.
“It has been decided that to begin with, all IT equipment and services utilised in the power sector should be cleared through the Trusted Telecom Portal before the supply of equipment starting January 1, 2026. It is not mandated to replace any existing ICT equipment,” it said.
It will not impact ongoing Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) or updates pertaining to equipment already in service and the list of IT equipment and services mandated to be cleared through the portal will be notified in due course, it added.
“This Ministry shall establish a Coordination Cell, which will liaise with the designated nodal officers, duly authorised by the heads of the Power Sector entities, to ensure the effective and seamless implementation of the process,” a source told businessline.
Telecom portal
The Trusted Telecom Portal has been established by the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) to ensure that only trusted telecom equipment are used by the Telecom and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in India from trusted sources.
The structured “trusted source” designation system has been developed as a comprehensive vetting system. This framework requires due diligence by over 10 ministries before awarding the “trusted” status. Specifically, Chinese companies such as Huawei and ZTE have not been granted this designation, while companies like Ericsson, Nokia, and Samsung have received it.
NSCS has granted access of Trusted Telecom Portal by Ministry of Power and the power sector entities, sources said.
Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal on Tuesday said that India’s power sector infrastructure faced numerous cyber attacks after Operation Sindoor, which were successfully thwarted.
Last month, at the regional Power conference with Western States in Mumbai, Agarwal said that in the wake of the recent geopolitical situation, securing the power sector infrastructure, including the transmission grid and distribution systems, is very critical and the States should implement necessary cybersecurity protocols for the same.
According to sector experts, this is a big step by the Centre, and other sectors like Healthcare, Airports, major Oil fields, etc.
“This is a historic decision by the government and will go a long way to secure the Power sector from cyber risks and fraud. There is a big task ahead for Secretary Power to overcome lobbies for extension of date and put the entire mechanism in place, so that products are offered for Trusted Telecom Portal immediately and not later than August 1, 2025 to have clearance in time,” NK Goyal, Chairman Emeritus, Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association of India (TEMA), told businessline.
Published on June 11, 2025
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