From January 1, 2023, all mobile phones sold in India must have their IMEI numbers registered on the government’s anti-counterfeit and lost handset blocking service.
Every single mobile phone, whether made in India or import, must register and given an IMEI (International mobile equipment identifying number) certificate as of September 26th. According to the Indian Counterfeit Device Restriction webpage, which is manage by the Department of Telecommunications.
As stated in the notification, “before the first sale of any mobile phone manufactured in India, the manufacturer shall register the international mobile equipment identity number with the Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction portal of the government of India in the Department of Telecommunications.”
This notice is being provided in accordance with the Mobile Device Equipment Identification Number (Amendment) Rules, 2022.
Every mobile phone has what’s called an IMEI number, which is a 15-digit code that serves as a unique identifier.
Government Mandates Registration
The presence of counterfeit devices on the telecom network with the same IMEI has raised concerns about the impossibility to track missing mobile phones.
To prevent the spread of counterfeit mobile phones, the government has developed the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) programme, which includes the Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction (ICDR) system.
The portal now only supports preventing stolen or misplaced mobile devices.
When it comes to mobile phones going missing, the CEIR initiative is taking a two-pronged approach, focusing on both lost phones and fake ones.
Following the latest notification, all mobile devices, even those brought in through international airports, would need registration of their individual IMEI numbers in the ICDR database and the acquisition of IMEI certificates.
In order to import mobile phones into India for sale, testing, research, or any other reason, the importer must first register the phones’ IMEIs with the Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction portal run by the government of India’s Department of Telecommunications.
Government Mandates Registration Beginning on January 28, 2020, the ICDR system was live. Through an online portal, users can easily register their devices and generate their own free IMEI certificates.
As of January 1, 2018, the Mobile Standard Alliance of India (MSAI), a non-governmental organisation, is no longer in charge of the IMEI clone and duplicate limitation mechanism.When it comes to IMEI registration, generation, and issuance, MSAI is no longer in the loop and the government now runs the show.