A smartphone user checks the Sanchar Saathi interface as India rolls out a nationwide mandate for the government-developed security app (Photo: File)
India's smartphone ecosystem is about to witness a seismic shift and the government has instructed every device maker to preload the Sanchar Saathi app on all new phones sold in the country with older phones also get it through software updates.
After weeks of speculation, leaked memos and public debate, this has now been formally confirmed by a late-night statement from the Press Information Bureau. What had started as quiet internal communication has now become a nationwide policy that touches nearly every mobile user.
The guidelines leave no scope for ambiguity. The manufactures have to include the app before sale and ensure that it comes on the screen the very moment a user sets up their device.
And, it can't be removed or disabled. The companies must implement the mandate in ninety days and file a compliance report within one hundred twenty days. This covers every major brand operating in India.
The government explained that the requirement was a needed response to the increasing cyber threats associated with fake IMEI numbers, cloned devices and the misuse of mobile identities.
ALSO READ: December Night Sky 2025: Major Moon Events & Planet Viewing Guide
According to officials, the app strengthens the Sanchar Saathi initiative, launched in an effort to curb phone theft, help users block stolen devices and clean up fraudulent mobile connections that often fuel scams.
Sanchar Saathi links a user's device to a central database called CEIR. The app can be used to check whether a phone's IMEI is genuine, how many SIM cards are being issued in one's name and report any suspicious activity on it.
In case of theft, the IMEI can be blocked across all networks, rendering the phone useless. Government statistics claim the system has already recovered thousands of devices and shut down millions of illegal mobile connections.
ALSO READ: Qatar Opens Hajj 2026 Registration: New Rules, Quota & How Indians Can Register Online
Despite the announced benefits, public reaction has been cautious and, in most quarters, openly critical. Permissions for this app are a concern, as it can ask for call logs, messages, camera and detailed device information.
Many people fear the requirement looks too much like the policies already adopted by more tightly controlled states and they are uneasy about having a permanent government-mandated app on their personal device.
Critics also argue that the mandate risks normalizing surveillance in a democracy that prides itself on openness. The supporters counter with the argument that security challenges are real and, therefore require strong tools. This debate now extends beyond technology into citizen rights, trust in institutions and the future of digital governance in India.
ALSO READ: Elon Musk Honors Indian Nobel Winner Chandrasekhar in Son’s Name
The government says it will curb cyber fraud, block stolen devices faster and reduce counterfeit phone usage.
No, the directive requires the app to remain installed, active and always visible.
Yes, it requests permissions like call logs, messages, camera access and network details, which has raised privacy concerns.
It links the phone’s IMEI to CEIR and can instantly block the device across all networks after a user files a request.
People fear that a non-removable, government-backed app with broad permissions could be used for surveillance.
Disclaimer: This article is an independent analysis based on publicly available information and does not claim to represent official government or corporate positions.
