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Sanchar Saathi App: New initiative for mobile phones in India

The Department of Telecommunications has issued an important directive for smartphones. According to this new order, all mobile phones sold in India will now be pre-installed with the Sanchar Saathi app. Manufacturers will not be allowed to hide, disable or limit any of the app’s features.

Old smartphones will be updated through updates

As per the order of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Sanchar Saathi app will be added through software update to the smartphones which are already in the market. Companies have been given 90 days to comply with this order, while 120 days have been set to submit the compliance report.

Why was this order issued?

The order comes as part of the directive to pre-install Sanchar Saathi app on all handsets to check the genuineness of mobile phones. The objective of this initiative is to prevent citizens from purchasing counterfeit or stolen mobile phones, to easily lodge complaints of misuse of telecom services and to enhance the effectiveness of Sanchar Saathi. This order was issued on 28 November 2025. According to this, all mobile phone manufacturers and importers will have to compulsorily pre-install this app under Telecom Cyber ​​Security rules.

What is Sanchar Saathi?

Sanchar Saathi is a government app developed by the Center for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Its main objective is to curb cyber fraud and strengthen telecom security. Through this, lost or stolen smartphones can be blocked, tracked and recovered.

How does Sanchar Saathi app work?

This app lets users check whether the device is genuine or not through the IMEI number of the phone. Users can also report their lost or stolen phones on this platform. Additionally, users can check how many mobile connections have been issued in their name and trusted contact details of banks and financial institutions are also available here. The initiative is supported by Telecom Cyber ​​Security (TCS) regulations, which empower the government to issue IMEI- compliance directives for mobile manufacturers.

What will be your benefit?

• This app helps to find out whether your mobile phone is real or fake by IMEI number.


• If your phone is lost or stolen, you can immediately report it through this app and get the device blocked.


• Complaints about suspicious calls or fraudulent messages can also be made directly through this app, making it easier to prevent cyber fraud.


• This app shows how many mobile connections are active in your name, so you can get any unauthorized SIM switched off immediately.


• It also has verified contact numbers of banks and financial institutions, so that users do not become victims of fake calls.