Sanchar Saathi App: India’s Government-Backed Solution to Combat Telecom Fraud and Protect Mobile Users

In an increasingly digital world where mobile phones have become an extension of our daily lives, cybersecurity threats continue to evolve at an alarming pace. India’s Department of Telecommunications has responded to these challenges by introducing Sanchar Saathi, a comprehensive government-backed platform designed to protect mobile users from fraud, theft, and unauthorized telecom usage. This innovative initiative represents a significant step toward creating a safer digital ecosystem for India’s over 1 billion mobile users.

What is Sanchar Saathi?

Sanchar Saathi is a state-developed cybersecurity application that empowers citizens with tools to verify their devices, report fraud, and secure their personal telecom resources[1]. Available as both a mobile app (for Android and iOS) and a web portal at www.sancharsaathi.gov.in, the platform serves as a centralized hub for telecom security and consumer protection.

The app functions by connecting user devices to the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), a national database that tracks and manages mobile device identities across all telecom networks in India. This integration enables seamless blocking of stolen or lost devices across all network operators simultaneously, ensuring that compromised phones cannot be misused regardless of which carrier the perpetrator attempts to use.

Key Features and Functionalities

Sanchar Saathi offers a comprehensive suite of features designed to address multiple aspects of telecom security. Understanding these capabilities helps users make the most of this powerful tool.

Lost and Stolen Phone Blocking

One of the most critical features is the ability to block lost or stolen mobile handsets across all telecom networks in India[2]. When a user reports their phone as lost or stolen through the app or portal, the CEIR system immediately blacklists the device’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number across all networks. This renders the phone completely unusable in India, even if the thief attempts to swap the SIM card or use it with a different carrier. The government reports that this system has already helped recover over 7 lakh (700,000) lost phones and block 3.7 million stolen devices, demonstrating its real-world effectiveness[2].

Should the phone be recovered later, users can easily unlock it through the app or portal, restoring full functionality without requiring visits to service centers or complex technical procedures.

IMEI Authentication and Device Verification

The app enables users to authenticate their device’s IMEI number, helping detect tampered or duplicate identities[2]. This feature is particularly valuable in India’s second-hand smartphone market, where counterfeit devices and phones with altered identities pose significant risks to unsuspecting buyers. By verifying IMEI numbers, users can ensure they are purchasing genuine devices rather than stolen or refurbished phones with fraudulent documentation.

Fraud Reporting and Call/SMS Monitoring

Sanchar Saathi allows users to report suspected fraud, spam calls, malicious messages, and suspicious web links through multiple channels including call, SMS, or WhatsApp[4]. This multi-channel reporting capability makes it convenient for users to report incidents through their preferred communication method. The app maintains detailed call and SMS logs, enabling users to easily identify and report patterns of fraudulent activity.

Connection Verification

A particularly useful feature allows mobile subscribers to check the total number of mobile connections registered in their name across all telecom operators[2]. This transparency helps users identify unauthorized connections that may have been fraudulently created using their identity, enabling them to take immediate action to prevent misuse.

Chakshu Feature

The app includes an advanced feature called Chakshu, which provides enhanced monitoring and verification capabilities, further strengthening the security framework for mobile users[1].

Real-World Impact and Statistics

The effectiveness of Sanchar Saathi is evident from its impressive track record. Since its implementation, the system has terminated 30 million fraudulent mobile connections, demonstrating its substantial impact on reducing telecom fraud[2]. These statistics underscore the platform’s critical role in protecting India’s telecom ecosystem from organized fraud rings and individual bad actors.

The government’s decision to mandate pre-installation of the app on all new smartphones within 90 days reflects the urgency and importance placed on this initiative[4]. This directive applies to major mobile device manufacturers and importers, ensuring that new phone users have immediate access to these protective tools.

Privacy Considerations and Recent Clarifications

When the Department of Telecommunications initially announced that the Sanchar Saathi app could not be deleted or disabled by users, it raised concerns among privacy advocates and tech-savvy consumers[4]. The mandatory nature of the application sparked debate about user autonomy and data privacy.

However, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified on December 2, 2025, that the app is optional, addressing these concerns directly[3]. This clarification represents a balanced approach, allowing users to choose whether to install the app while still making it readily available through pre-installation on new devices.

Permissions and Data Access

On Android devices, the Sanchar Saathi app requests specific permissions to function effectively[3]:

Make and manage phone calls: to detect mobile numbers on the device
Send SMS: to complete registration by sending automatic messages to the Department of Telecommunications
Access call and SMS logs: to report fraudulent calls and messages through the app’s facilities

These permissions are designed to enable the app’s core security functions while maintaining transparency about data access. Users should review these permissions carefully before installation to ensure they are comfortable with the app’s data requirements.

How to Use Sanchar Saathi

Getting started with Sanchar Saathi is straightforward. Users can download the app from their device’s app store or access the web portal directly. Upon installation, the app guides users through a simple registration process, which includes sending an automatic SMS to verify the phone number associated with the device.

To report a lost or stolen phone, users navigate to the blocking section, provide their device details, and submit the report. The CEIR system then processes the request and blacklists the device across all networks within minutes. Similarly, reporting fraudulent calls or messages involves selecting the specific communication and submitting it through the app’s reporting interface.

The Broader Context of India’s Telecom Security

Sanchar Saathi represents part of India’s comprehensive approach to telecom security and consumer protection. The initiative aligns with the government’s digital India vision, which emphasizes creating a secure, transparent, and user-empowered digital ecosystem. By combining technological solutions with regulatory measures, India is working to establish itself as a leader in telecom security innovation.

The app’s integration with CEIR demonstrates how centralized databases and real-time coordination across multiple telecom operators can create powerful protective mechanisms. This model could potentially serve as a template for other countries seeking to combat mobile device theft and telecom fraud.

Conclusion

Sanchar Saathi represents a significant advancement in India’s efforts to protect mobile users from fraud, theft, and unauthorized telecom usage. With its comprehensive features—from blocking stolen phones to reporting fraudulent communications—the app provides users with unprecedented control over their telecom security. The impressive statistics of recovered phones and blocked fraudulent connections demonstrate its real-world effectiveness.

While privacy concerns initially surrounded the app’s mandatory pre-installation directive, the government’s clarification that it remains optional strikes a balance between security and user autonomy. As cyber threats continue to evolve, tools like Sanchar Saathi will play an increasingly important role in safeguarding India’s digital infrastructure and protecting millions of mobile users from exploitation. Whether you’re a smartphone user concerned about device theft or someone worried about telecom fraud, Sanchar Saathi offers practical, accessible solutions that deserve serious consideration.