ndia is reportedly planning to restrict the sale of Chinese-origin CCTV cameras from April 1, 2026. Video surveillance giants, such as Dahua, Hikvision, and TP-Link, will be targeted over national security concerns. When new certification rules come into effect, they will ensure mandatory approval before CCTV products can be sold across the country.
According to an Economic Times report, citing industry executives, the decision is part of a broader government push for strict security standards for Chinese internet-connected devices. Indian authorities are reportedly denying certification to products from these companies, as well as any devices that use Chinese-origin chipsets. Without Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) clearance, such products are barred from the Indian market starting next month.
Massive blow to Chinese companies
The ban is seen as a massive blow to the Chinese companies, which once dominated the security and surveillance sector. Last year, the Chinese brands accounted for nearly one-third of all CCTV sales in India, reports added. However, with domestic manufacturers stepping in to fill the void, the landscape has seen a rapid shift.
Indian brands dominate the domestic market
Growing Indian brands such as Qubo, CP Plus, Matrix, Prama, and Sparsh have taken over the Indian market, restructuring their supply chains to reduce dependence on Chinese components, favouring Taiwanese chipsets. According to Counterpoint Research, domestic players now control over 80% of the market as of February 2026, while the premium segment remains a hub of multinationals like Honeywell and Bosch.
About the new rules
The new rules of CCTV cameras stem from norms introduced in April 2024 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY) Essential Requirements (ER). The changes require manufacturers to mention the origin country of key components, like the System-on-Chip (SoC). Additionally, rules ensure devices are tested for vulnerabilities that permit illegal remote access.
Companies were given a 2-year transition window to comply. Over 500 CCTV models have been certified so far under the new regime.
