India Bans Chinese CCTV Cameras Over Security Concerns

New Delhi: The Central Government has banned Chinese CCTV cameras in India, citing national security risks. This means Chinese companies will no longer be allowed to sell their surveillance devices in the country.

Reason for Ban

• The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) raised concerns that internet-connected CCTV cameras could be used to access sensitive data.
• These risks are higher in critical locations like airports, government offices, and important infrastructure.
• The move aims to prevent any possibility of data leaks or surveillance threats from foreign devices.

What you should know?

Major companies affected:

Popular Chinese brands like Hikvision, Dahua Technology, and TP-Link are impacted.

New rules from April 1, 2026:

All CCTV cameras must have STQC (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification) to be sold in India.

Mandatory disclosure:

Companies must clearly mention the country of origin for key components like chips (SoC) and firmware.

Boost for Indian brands:

Domestic companies like CP Plus, Qubo, and Sparsh are expected to benefit. They already hold over 80% of the market as of February 2026.

 This step is aimed at strengthening India’s security and encouraging local manufacturing.