India to bar China-linked smart CCTV cameras from April 1 amid security concerns

In a significant move aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and reducing surveillance risks, India will restrict the entry of China-linked internet-based CCTV cameras into the domestic market, from April 1, 2026.

STQC Certification requirement

The move comes as such smart and connected CCTV devices have not received the mandatory certification from the Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) directorate, effectively preventing their sale in India.

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Impact on Chinese companies

The restrictions will impact major players such as Hikvision, Dahua, and TP-Link. Chinese companies collectively account for around 30 per cent of India’s CCTV market. However, the rules apply only to internet-enabled or smart CCTV cameras, and not to conventional, non-connected systems.

New compliance norms

According to these norms, companies will be required to secure a clearance and provide information on the source of components they use in their products. This is to address issues concerning cybersecurity and surveillance.

Market impact and price rise

The decision is expected to affect a significant portion of the existing market, while creating opportunities for domestic manufacturers to expand their presence. Industry estimates suggest that the shift could also lead to a price increase of 15–20 per cent in CCTV products.

Push for local manufacturing

The move is also expected to support the development of a trusted supply chain and give a push to local manufacturing in the surveillance equipment sector.

Stronger regulatory framework

The government of India has further strengthened its laws and regulations to improve network security and personal data protection, along with new guidelines on CCTV usage and restrictions on the procurement of non-compliant surveillance equipment by government departments.

The update was shared by Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, in the Lok Sabha on March 25.

Mandatory security norms for CCTV systems

To secure surveillance infrastructure, the government had notified mandatory 'Essential Requirements' (ERs) for CCTV systems in the Indian market.

• Under the new rules:
• Manufacturers must provide clear documentation on the origin of critical hardware components, such as System-on-Chip (SoC).
• Devices must be tested for vulnerabilities, including risks of unauthorised remote access.
• Certification from accredited laboratories is now compulsory.

So far, 507 CCTV camera models have been certified as compliant with these requirements, the official statement stated.

Government procurement restrictions

Government departments have been directed not to procure CCTV equipment that fails to meet the notified security standards. Additionally, ministries have been advised to take necessary steps to mitigate vulnerabilities and ensure the integrity of their video surveillance systems.

Strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure

To further enhance India’s cyber defence capabilities:

• The CERT-In-implemented National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) monitors cyberspace to detect threats and shares intelligence with relevant stakeholders.
• CERT-In has empanelled 237 security auditing organisations to support the implementation of best practices.
• Comprehensive guidelines issued in June 2023 cover areas such as data security, network protection, identity management, and incident response.
• Updated technical guidelines released in July 2025 focus on software and hardware supply chain transparency, including emerging areas like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and cryptography.

Focus on a secure digital ecosystem

The government emphasised that these measures are part of sustained efforts over the past 12 years to build a secure, resilient, and trustworthy digital ecosystem in India, amid rising cybersecurity challenges posed by rapid digitalisation.