Relevance: GS-2 (Governance – Digital Safety), GS-3 (Internal Security) | Source: The Hindu, DoT

The Department of Telecommunications has directed smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices sold from March 2026 and ensure that its safety features remain active. The move complements the government’s wider push for SIM binding and IMEI-based verification to curb cyber fraud, mobile cloning, and digital impersonation.

Sanchar Saathi App (DoT)

A national digital safety platform offering:

• CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register): Track, block or disable stolen/lost phones.
• TAFCOP: Identify SIMs issued in a user’s name.
• Fraud reporting: Report scam calls and suspicious numbers.

Need: Rising mobile theft, scam calls, SIM misuse, and fake KYC operations.

SIM Binding (for messaging platforms)

SIM binding requires apps (e.g., WhatsApp, Telegram) to work only when the registered SIM is physically present in the device.

Need:

• Prevents scammers from using one person’s verified number across multiple devices.
• Helps detect cyber-fraud rings using unauthorised SIM access.

IMEI Verification

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 15-digit identifier for every mobile device.

Use under new guidelines:

• Verify authenticity of IMEI numbers to detect cloned/altered phones.
• Enable remote disabling through CEIR, reducing stolen-phone markets.

Need: IMEI tampering has increased, enabling criminals to evade tracking.

Q. Consider the following:

1. CEIR helps block and track stolen mobile phones using IMEI.
2. SIM binding ensures messaging apps function only when connected to the registered SIM.
3. Sanchar Saathi is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Which of the statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3