India Cracks Down on CCTV Imports Over Spy Fears
India has stepped up its national security measures by mandating strict compliance for all internet-connected CCTV equipment sold within the country. As of April 9, 2025, all such surveillance devices must pass mandatory testing and certification by government-designated labs. This policy comes amid intensifying concerns over foreign espionage threats and growing reliance on surveillance hardware from overseas manufacturers, particularly from China.
Under the new framework, companies must submit their hardware specifications, software configurations, and in some cases, even source code, for inspection. The move reflects an increasing push by the Indian government to secure its critical surveillance infrastructure against remote tampering, spyware, or data breaches.
Global Giants Face Hurdles Amid Slow Approvals
The directive has impacted a wide range of manufacturers—both foreign and domestic. Global players like China’s Hikvision, Dahua, Xiaomi, South Korea’s Hanwha, and US-based Motorola Solutions now face significant regulatory bottlenecks. Indian officials insist that these stringent measures are necessary to ensure device integrity, but the slow pace of approvals is proving to be a major bottleneck.
Out of 342 applications received for compliance as of late May, only 35 have been approved, most of which belong to Indian firms. Industry leaders argue that limited testing infrastructure, lengthy inspections, and the sensitive nature of source code requirements are impeding their ability to comply quickly.
Local vendors, especially in Delhi’s Nehru Place electronics market, report a steep decline in sales due to shipment delays and lack of certified inventory. Many fear that continued disruptions could result in long-term losses and damage to customer relationships.
Geopolitical Push Behind Surveillance Overhaul
Although the government has avoided naming China explicitly in its circulars, the context is clear. The updated policy aligns with broader global trends where countries such as the US and UK have moved to ban or limit Chinese surveillance equipment over national security concerns.
India, too, has been increasingly wary of China’s expansive surveillance laws and the possibility that devices from Chinese manufacturers could be exploited for intelligence gathering. Officials maintain that the new certification rules are part of a sovereign effort to secure India’s cyber-physical infrastructure and cannot be compromised.
With the Indian CCTV market poised for significant growth, the new compliance framework is expected to shape the trajectory of the industry. As national security remains a top priority, surveillance firms—whether local or global—will need to adapt swiftly to India’s rising standards of trust and accountability.
