India Bans Chinese CCTV Cameras from April 1, 2026 — Is Your Camera Safe?

If you own a CCTV camera at your home, shop, or office in Chennai — or you were planning to buy one — this news directly affects you.

From April 1, 2026, the Government of India has made it mandatory for every CCTV camera sold or imported in India to have STQC certification (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification from MeitY). Any camera that does not have this certification cannot be legally sold in India from today.

What this means in simple words: If the CCTV camera you are looking at in a shop does not carry the government's STQC stamp, the seller is not allowed to sell it to you anymore.

Why Did India Take This Step?

This decision has been building for over two years. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) introduced new Essential Requirements (ER) norms for CCTV cameras in April 2024, giving manufacturers two years to comply.

The reason is serious: CCTV cameras today are not just recording devices. They are internet-connected systems that continuously transmit data. Security agencies in India raised concerns that certain cameras — particularly those made with Chinese chipsets — could potentially allow unauthorised remote access, data leaks, and even foreign surveillance of Indian infrastructure.

Reports even emerged that footage from CCTV cameras at Indian railway stations was being accessed from outside India. The Ministry of Home Affairs ordered a nationwide audit of all CCTV systems following these reports. The government's message is clear: national security begins at the front door of every Indian home and business.

Which Brands Are Affected?

The brands facing the biggest challenge under the new rules are Hikvision, Dahua, and TP-Link — all major Chinese surveillance companies that together held about one-third of India's CCTV market just one year ago.

These companies have struggled to obtain STQC certification because their cameras use Chinese-origin chipsets (System-on-Chip or SoC), which Indian regulators are refusing to certify. Without certification, their products cannot be sold in India from April 1, 2026.

This does not mean every Hikvision camera already installed in your home will stop working immediately — existing installations continue to function. But new purchases of uncertified models are not permitted.

Which Brands Are Safe to Buy Right Now?

Indian and internationally certified brands that have already moved to Taiwanese chipsets and obtained STQC certification are the right choice today.

CP Plus — India's largest domestic CCTV brand — has restructured its supply chain away from Chinese components and continues to lead the market with certified products. CP Plus cameras are fully compliant under the new rules.

Qubo — made by Hero Group, a fully Indian company — is another certified brand designed specifically for the Indian market. Qubo's WiFi cameras are certified, app-friendly, and ideal for apartments and homes.

Hikvision's certified models — it is important to note that not all Hikvision products are affected. Some Hikvision models that use non-Chinese chipsets have received STQC certification and can still be legally sold. The key is to buy only from authorised dealers who stock certified models.

As of today, 507 CCTV models are certified for sale in India. Only buy from these certified models.

What Should Chennai Customers Do?

1. Ask your dealer for the STQC certificate before buying any CCTV camera. Any reputable dealer will be able to show you this.

2. Avoid unbranded or grey-market cameras entirely. These were never certified and are now illegal to sell.

3. Do not buy from unverified online sellers who may be clearing uncertified stock at low prices.

4. Stick to certified brands — CP Plus, Qubo, and certified Hikvision models are safe bets right now.

At SBM Technologies, Here Is What We Stock

We have always stocked only genuine, authorised products at our Purasaiwakkam showroom. All CP Plus and Qubo cameras we sell are from authorised distributors and comply with India's new certification requirements.

If you are unsure whether your current camera is certified, or if you are planning a new installation, call us at +91-9080313185. We will give you an honest answer with no sales pressure — just accurate information to help you make the right decision. Your security should never come with a question mark.

SBM Technologies — 161, Strahans Road, Purasaiwakkam, Chennai 600012. Authorised dealer of CP Plus, Qubo, and Optivue security systems.