Similar to the European Union’s (EU) regulations announced in 2022, it is now believed that the Indian government could consider standardization in charging ports for phones and tablets sold in India. The new mandate, which will come into effect on June 2025 through a report by Livemint, is to adopt the same charging port for all tablets and smartphones sold in India. The rule may also expand to laptops sold in the country eventually. Feature phones, audio products, and wearables will not be included in the mandate for now.
Smartphones and Tablets in India to Adopt USB-C Port
MeitY is reportedly for standardizing charging ports in smartphones and tablets Laptops are expected to start using it in 2026. This mandate is likely being considered for the USB Type-C connector. The rule aims to reduce e-waste caused by the variety of cables and adapters for different devices because charging ports are not standardized across devices.
Most of today’s Android phones use a USB Type-C charger but some tablets and accessories are still microUSB. Utilitarian zero waste living kit now also features Type-C chargers, as have the Apple iPhones and some other recent iPads too since pretty much the iPhone 15 series. Still, some MacBook variants use MagSafe charging while others have switched to the Type-C System.
The EU’s 2022 rule that USB Type-C must be the standard charging port for an array of devices, covering smartphones, tablets, cameras audio products as well as handheld consoles and speakers played a big role in pushing Apple toward using Type-C chargers.
This is not the first time GOI has toyed with exploring such a law in India. A report in NDTV, dated November 2022 explains that this decision was being considered by a task force of representatives from industry associations, educational institutions, and ministries at Varanasi as well as Central government officials along with smartphone brands like Samsung and Apple.
Last year, the Indian government also urged Apple to reintroduce older iPhones with USB-C ports, a move Apple argued might affect its local production goals. This move coincided with India mulling over the permanent USB-C charging ports for smartphones by the EU.
While there isn’t a definitive timeline for the new mandate, it is expected to apply to smartphones and tablets by June next year, with the same rule for laptops likely coming into effect by 2026.
FAQs
Why is India considering standardizing USB-C charging ports?
India aims to reduce e-waste caused by the proliferation of different charging cables and adapters. Standardizing USB-C ports across smartphones, tablets, and potentially laptops can simplify charging solutions for consumers and promote environmental sustainability.
Will this mandate affect older devices already in use in India?
The current focus of the mandate is on new devices sold in India from June 2025 onwards. Existing devices in use with different charging ports, such as microUSB or proprietary connectors, will not be affected by this rule unless they are replaced or upgraded after the implementation date.
