Only ‘Made in India’ CCTV Cameras to be Sold in the Country Now: Government’s Major Decision; Another Blow to Chinese Companies

A significant shift is underway regarding security equipment within the country. The government has decided that, henceforth, only ‘Made in India’ CCTV cameras will be sold within India. Effective April 1st, the sale of uncertified foreign CCTV products has been completely banned. This decision is being hailed as a major step towards bolstering national security and achieving self-reliance.

The government had previously clarified that any CCTV cameras lacking STQC certification would not be permitted for sale in the market. A grace period extending until March 31, 2026, was granted to allow for the liquidation of existing stocks of imported products. Now that this period has expired, the new regulation has officially come into force.

What is STQC, and Why is it Important?

STQC—standing for Standardization Testing and Quality Certification—is a government standard designed to assess the quality and safety of electronic products. The government asserts that this measure will ensure that the CCTV cameras sold in the market are both safe and reliable.

How ​​Will This Impact Foreign Companies?

This decision has had its most significant impact on Chinese companies. According to reports, companies such as Hikvision and TP-Link have not yet obtained the requisite STQC certification. Consequently, their products can no longer be sold in the Indian market. This is expected to weaken the foothold of foreign companies within the domestic market.