A significant transformation is set to hit the Indian surveillance market as the Modi government implements strict regulations on CCTV cameras starting April 1st. According to the new mandate, only CCTV cameras that have secured STQC and BIS certifications under the ‘Essential Requirements’ (ER) framework can be sold, imported, or installed. Any unauthorized or non-certified security products will face an outright ban across the country.

This move is expected to deal a heavy blow to popular Chinese brands like Hikvision and Dahua. The government’s primary concern revolves around national security, fearing that foreign-made chipsets could be exploited for data theft or cyber-espionage. To counter this, it is now mandatory for manufacturers to get their hardware and software source codes audited in Indian laboratories. Reports suggest many Chinese firms are struggling to comply with these stringent transparency norms.

On the other hand, the decision is a massive boost for the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Domestic players like CP Plus, Matrix Comsec, and Sparsh have already secured the necessary certifications, positioning themselves as market leaders. The government aims to ensure that at least 25-45% of camera components are locally manufactured. For consumers, while certified products might see a marginal price hike, they will provide a much higher level of data privacy and protection against hacking.