TL;DR: An Indian OEM partner evaluated our S-series module on a Novatek chipset platform for a product line targeting STQC/IoTSCS certification and government tender eligibility. The chipset decision — made at the sourcing stage, not after — shaped the entire certification path. This case study covers the STQC process in practice: Technical Construction File, supply chain documentation, firmware hardening, and version lock-in. Certification is ongoing as of mid-2026.

Certification headlines tend to focus on the finish line — the certificate number, the press release, the “we’re compliant” badge. What gets left out is the six-to-twelve-month process that gets a product there, and that process is usually where suppliers either add real value or get in the way. We wanted to share what that’s actually looked like for one of our recent engagements.

Note: our customer’s identity is protected under NDA, so this article describes the product line and process in general terms without naming the client.

Why Chipset Origin Was the First Decision for STQC Certification

An Indian OEM partner came to us evaluating camera modules for a product line they intended to certify under STQC/IoTSCS, with an eye toward government and public-sector tender eligibility. Like most buyers navigating India’s 2026 compliance landscape, their first question wasn’t about price — it was about chipset origin. They needed a module platform that wouldn’t hit the same wall that Chinese-SoC-based products have run into on the STQC certified list.

We proposed our S-series module built on a Novatek chipset platform, specifically because Novatek-based designs have a track record of clearing Indian certification processes where some other SoC platforms have stalled. That decision — made at the sourcing stage, not after the fact — shaped almost everything that followed.

STQC IoTSCS Certification: What the Process Actually Requires

For anyone who hasn’t been through STQC/IoTSCS firsthand, it’s worth being clear about what the process actually asks for, because it’s more document-and-audit-heavy than a typical product certification:

  • Technical Construction File (TCF): a detailed submission covering hardware design, firmware architecture, and security controls — this took real coordination between our engineering team and the customer’s product team to compile in the format STQC expects.
  • Bill of materials and supply chain verification: STQC evaluators want to see exactly where components come from, not just a chipset brand name. We worked through our full component sourcing documentation with the customer so there were no gaps when the audit stage arrived.
  • Vulnerability assessment and configuration audit: firmware gets scrutinized for hardcoded credentials, open ports, unencrypted communication, and similar issues. This pushed a few firmware revisions on our side before submission — better to catch those internally than during an official audit.
  • Model and firmware version lock-in: because certification ties to a specific model number and firmware hash, we had to agree on a frozen firmware baseline with the customer well before formal submission, rather than continuing to iterate mid-process.

Certification Status: Where the Project Stands (as of mid-2026)

As of mid-2026, the application is progressing through STQC’s evaluation stages, with certification targeted for the second half of the year. We’re not going to claim a result we don’t have yet — but we can say the preparation work (chipset selection, TCF documentation, firmware hardening) is the part that determines whether an application moves smoothly or stalls, and that’s the part we’ve been directly involved in from day one.

What We’d Tell Other Buyers Sourcing for the Indian Market

A few things this process reinforced for us, which apply whether you’re working with UVISION-TECH or any other supplier:

  1. Start chipset selection with certification in mind, not as an afterthought. Retrofitting a certification effort onto a product built on an already-problematic SoC platform is a much harder path than designing around it from the start.
  2. Ask your supplier what documentation they can actually provide. A TCF submission needs real component-level sourcing detail — if a supplier can’t produce that, the certification timeline (or the outcome) is at risk.
  3. Lock your firmware baseline before submission, not during. Every additional firmware change after an application is in process adds delay and re-validation risk.
  4. Expect months, not weeks. Between documentation prep, audit scheduling, and evaluation, this is a process measured in quarters. Anyone promising a fast-tracked certificate should be treated with some skepticism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does chipset origin affect STQC certification?
STQC evaluators require detailed supply chain documentation including component country of origin. Products built on certain SoC platforms have faced additional scrutiny or stalled at evaluation. Selecting a chipset platform with a proven track record in Indian certification processes — and that can support full component sourcing disclosure — materially reduces certification risk.

What is a Technical Construction File (TCF) for STQC?
A TCF is the primary submission document for STQC IoTSCS evaluation. It covers hardware design, firmware architecture, security controls, bill of materials, and supply chain verification. Compiling it requires close coordination between the module supplier’s engineering team and the customer’s product team.

What happens if firmware changes after STQC certification?
STQC certificates are tied to a specific model number and firmware hash. A firmware update may require re-validation. Agreeing on a frozen firmware baseline before formal submission — rather than continuing to iterate mid-process — is essential to avoid delays.

How long does STQC IoTSCS certification realistically take?
From documentation preparation through audit scheduling to evaluation outcome, the process is measured in quarters, not weeks. The preparation work — chipset selection, TCF documentation, firmware hardening — is what determines whether an application moves smoothly or stalls.

Where UVISION-TECH Fits In

Our S-series modules using novatek Socs are built specifically with the Indian market’s evolving certification requirements in mind, and we work directly with customers on the documentation and firmware groundwork that certification depends on — not just the hardware. If you’re planning a product line for STQC or BIS ER-01 certification and want to talk through chipset options or what the TCF process will require, our team is glad to walk through it with you.

This article reflects the status of an ongoing certification process as of mid-2026 and will be updated once the certification outcome is confirmed.