Govt steps back from mandatory Sanchar Saathi pre-install after public pushback

A government directive asking mobile manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices triggered intense debate in Parliament and on social media, prompting the Centre to withdraw the mandate. Developed in-house to combat mobile fraud, track stolen phones, and help users verify connections, the app has already seen widespread adoption, recording over 1.4 crore downloads and significant fraud-prevention results

In the last two days, there are serious discussions inside and outside parliament and on social media on the government directive to mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi App on mobile phones. The App got good publicity because of these discussions, as evident from the number of downloads in the last two days!

In order to safeguard the citizens from buying non-genuine mobile handsets, to enable them to quickly recover lost/ stolen handsets and for enabling easy reporting of suspected misuse of telecom resources, the DOT has issued certain directions on 28.11.25 to manufacturers and importers of mobile handsets.

These directions were issued under the provisions of Telecom Cyber Security (TCS) rules. This marked the first time India has required state-backed software on all mobile devices.

As per these directions, manufacturers of mobile handsets (that are intended for use in India) and importers of mobile handsets should pre-install the Sanchar Saathi mobile application on the mobile handsets.

They should ensure that the App is readily visible and accessible to the end users at the time of first use or device setup. For all such devices that have already been manufactured and are in sales channels, the manufacturers/ importers of mobile handsets shall make an endeavour to push the App through software updates.

They have to complete the implementation in 90 days and submit the report in 120 days. For implementing this directive, the manufacturers have to invest in burning the Apps in the BIOS (Basic Input Output System).

What is Sanchar Sathi App?

Various frauds, such as identity theft, forged KYC, and banking fraud, can take place by misusing mobile phones. Cyber scammers are targeting new and unaware smartphone users. With the implementation ofBSNL 4G saturation project,4G signals are available even in remote villages where the mobile users may not be tech savvy.

Safety and security of the mobile users is an integral part of the Government of India’s vision of Digital India. In tune with this vision, the Sanchar Saathi App was launched on 17.01.25. This was developed in-house.

Using the CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) module of this App, mobile customers can find out whether the handset purchased is a genuine one or not by feeding the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number, which is a 15-digit one. India is witnessing an increase in IMEI duplication and device cloning. Our country’s second-hand smart phone market is a large and growing sector, and fraud in this market are on the rise.

The CEIR module is also useful in recovering the stolen/lost mobile handset. The TAFCOP (Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management & Consumer Protection) module of this App helps the mobile customer to know the mobile connections registered in his name and to report fraudulent or unrequired connections.

The Chakshu module of this App enables reporting of suspicious calls, spam and malicious links. This App identifies international calls presented as domestic calls. It offers verified helpline contacts for banks and essential services.Since its launch, this App has 1.4 crore downloads, which shows its popularity.

Over 42 lakh stolen/lost mobile devices have been blocked, of which 26 lakh have been traced and which7.23 lakh have been successfully returned. 6.48 lakh suspicious scam/s frauds were reported through this App, resulting in 41 lakh preventive actions.

This App can’t read users' messages, can’t listen to users' calls and can’t access users' personal data. It doesn't track users. There is no passive monitoring or hidden activity by this App. It is not at alla surveillance tool. This app is available in Hindi and 21 other regional languages.

Advantages of having the readily available Sanchar Sathi APP on a mobile phone

Let us take the example of the CEIR module of this app. Loss or theft of mobile phones can happen to anybody. Time is of the essence in reporting the event and blocking the mobile phone in the CEIR module of the Sanchar Saathi App, before it is misused. If the Sachar Saathi App is readily available on the mobile phone of the family member (either pre-installed by the manufacturer or voluntarily downloaded), it will save time. Otherwise, it has to be downloaded from the playstore and it will take time.

The probability of using the Sachar Saathi app is higher if it is readily available on the mobile phone, compared to using it after downloading it from the Play Store.

MOC clarification

The Union Minister for Communications said that not everyone in the country knows that the Sachar SaathiApp exists to protect them from fraud and theft, and it is the government's responsibility to make this App reach everyone.

He clarified in the Lok Sabha and subsequent statements that Sanchar Saathi use by citizens remains voluntary. He said that if they don’t want it, they need not register and can delete it at any time, like any other App.

Government removes mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi App

Sanchar Saarathi users are contributing to information on 2,000 fraud incidents per day. The number of users has been increasing rapidly. In just one day, 6 lakh citizens have registered for downloading the app.

This is an affirmation of faith by citizens on this App provided by the government for protecting the citizens. Given Sanchar Saathi’s increasing acceptance, the Government has decided on 3rd Dec 2025, not to make the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi App mandatory for mobile manufacturers/importers.

Wayforward

Sanchar Saathi is a democratic, fully voluntary user driven platform and privacy-first app, activated only with theuser consent. It is a telecom safety and verification platform designed to enhance user security, fraud prevention and stolen mobile phone tracking.

Sanchar Saathi is a cybersecurity safeguard. Since it is developed using in-house talents, it is fully safe. In the background of escalating cyber crime, it is hoped that users will voluntarily download this App, utilise and get full benefit out of it.

(The author is a former Advisor, Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India)