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Sanchar Saathi App: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued strict instructions to mobile handset manufacturers that it will be mandatory for all new devices to have ‘Sanchar Sathi’ app pre-installed. The department says that this step has been taken to prevent cyber fraud, strengthen telecom security and deal with the problem of devices with fake or duplicate IMEI.

DoT has directed to make mandatory pre-installation of ‘Sanchar Sathi’ app to check the genuineness of mobile handsets. The app must appear clean to users during first-time setup, be fully functional, and cannot be disabled. Manufacturers must ensure that users can access the app during device setup. You will not be allowed to hide, stop or deactivate any of its features.

What does a communication partner do?

The Sanchar Sathi portal and app allows citizens to check the genuineness of a mobile through IMEI number. Duplicate or spoofed IMEIs pose a serious threat to cyber security. Many times the same IMEI appears simultaneously on different devices, making it difficult to take action.

Government’s claim

There is a huge market for second-hand mobiles in India. Cases of reselling of stolen or blacklisted phones have inadvertently implicated buyers in crime and also caused economic losses. Communication companion app helps to check blocked or blacklisted IMEI. It also has features like reporting fake calls/messages, reporting lost/stolen phones and viewing all mobile connections issued in your name.

DoT, in an order issued on Monday, said all phones manufactured or imported for use in India should be pre-loaded with the Sanchar Sathi app, so that users can verify the genuine device and to prevent misuse of telecom services.

According to the order issued on November 28, 2025, the app should be properly visible and easy to use during the setup of the new mobile. Companies have been given 90 days to comply and 120 days to submit the report. This app will be added to the in-stock devices through software update.

Key Features of Sanchar Saathi

Through this, users-

• You can check whether the mobile is genuine or not by entering the IMEI.
• Can report suspected fraud call/message
• Can file complaint of stolen/lost phone
• You can see all the mobile numbers issued in your name
• Can find contact details of trusted banks and financial institutions
• This initiative is supported by Telecom Cyber ​​Security (TCS) regulations.

Opposition raised questions

Congress General Secretary K. C. Venugopal said that the right to privacy is an integral part of the right to life and liberty. He alleged that the government app, which cannot be uninstalled, could become “a medium to monitor the activities of every citizen”. He said the directive was part of “continued attacks on constitutional rights”. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram wrote, “Big Brother will take over our phones and our personal lives. It’s like Pegasus++.” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray also called it an “undeclared dictatorship”.

Government enumerated benefits

According to DoT, duplicate or tampered IMEIs pose a serious security risk. There have been several cases of stolen and blacklisted phones being re-sold in India’s large second-hand mobile market. Sanchar Saathi allows users to check whether the IMEI is blocked or not before purchasing the phone.

The order states that tampering with the 15-digit IMEI number is a non-bailable offence, and can attract a jail term of up to three years, a fine up to Rs 50 lakh or both under the Telecommunications Act 2023. This directive will be applicable to all major companies like Apple, Samsung, Google, Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi. The app is also available on Play Store and Apple App Store.