Choosing a CCTV brand in India in 2026 is a different decision than it was a year ago. A new certification rule has quietly redrawn the map of which cameras you can actually buy — and several names that topped every "best CCTV brand" list until recently can no longer legally sell new internet-connected cameras here.
This guide cuts through the confusion. It recommends only brands with verifiable STQC-certified models, explains the rule in plain terms, shows you exactly how to confirm any camera is genuine, and tells you what to do if you already own a Hikvision or Dahua system. With 500+ installations across Chennai and deep STQC-compliance experience, WAEI Enterprise helps you buy something you can trust — and legally own.
Want the right certified system for your property? Book a free site survey and we'll match a compliant brand to your needs and budget.
Table of Contents
- The 2026 Rule Changed What You Can Buy
- What STQC Certification Actually Is
- Best STQC-Certified CCTV Brands in India 2026
- How to Verify a Camera Is STQC-Certified
- Which Brand Fits Your Use-Case
- Already Have Hikvision or Dahua?
- Frequently Asked Questions
The 2026 Rule Changed What You Can Buy
Let's start with the fact that matters most — stated accurately, because the internet is full of half-truths about it.
India has not "banned" Hikvision or Dahua by name. What actually happened is a brand-neutral rule: from 1 April 2026, every new internet-connected CCTV camera manufactured, imported or sold in India must carry STQC certification under MeitY's Compulsory Registration Order and IS 13252 (Part 1). Because Chinese-origin chipsets and firmware are not being cleared for certification, Hikvision, Dahua and TP-Link currently have zero STQC-certified models on the official STQC IoTSCS portal — so they cannot legally sell new internet-connected cameras in India.
Two nuances most articles get wrong:
- It's not China-only. The same certification gate also currently catches several non-Chinese global brands — Axis, Bosch, Hanwha and Panasonic/i-PRO are likewise absent from the certified list as of mid-2026, partly due to a real testing-lab backlog. This is a certification requirement, not a targeted brand prohibition.
- Your existing camera is fine. Cameras installed before the deadline reportedly remain legal to use — there is no order requiring anyone to remove them. The rule is forward-looking and applies only to new manufacture, import and sale.
So the honest, defensible summary is: Hikvision and Dahua have no certified models and can't sell new cameras here — not that they're outlawed. For the full background on the rule, see our complete STQC certification guide.
What STQC Certification Actually Is
Because certification now decides what counts as a "best" buy, it's worth understanding how it works.
MeitY, STQC and BIS — who does what
Three bodies share the job: MeitY sets the policy, STQC (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification) validates the cybersecurity Essential Requirements under the IoT System Certification Scheme, and BIS administers the underlying Compulsory Registration Scheme. A camera that passes gets listed on the public STQC portal.
Certification is per-MODEL, not per-brand
This is the single most important thing to understand — and where buyers get misled. Certification is granted to individual camera models and firmware versions, not to a whole brand. "Brand X is STQC certified" only means at least one of its models is on the portal. A seller can be truthful about the brand and still hand you an uncertified model. Always verify the exact model (more on that below).
What it tests
Compliance requires the manufacturer to disclose the country of origin of the chip (SoC) and firmware, plus pass vulnerability testing against India's cybersecurity Essential Requirements. The cybersecurity focus is strongest on internet-connected (IP) cameras — the scope around purely analog/HD cameras is the least precisely documented part of the rule, so this guide keeps its framing on networked cameras. If you're still deciding between camera types, read our IP vs analog cameras comparison first.
Best STQC-Certified CCTV Brands in India 2026
Every brand below has verifiable certified models on the official STQC portal. As of mid-June 2026 the portal listed roughly 50+ certified network-camera entries across about seven vendors — and those counts drift month to month as more models are added, so treat any specific number as a snapshot and check the portal for the latest.
| Brand | Tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| CP Plus (Aditya Infotech) | Budget → mid / mass-market | Homes, shops, SMBs wanting the safest, most-available certified pick |
| Prama | Mid → premium | Retail, commercial & projects wanting the widest certified model choice |
| Sparsh CCTV | Mid → enterprise | Government, PSU, smart-city & Make-in-India tenders |
| Matrix | Mid → enterprise | Enterprise IP surveillance + integrated security (also access control) |
| Honeywell | Premium / enterprise | Global name for commercial & critical-infrastructure projects |
| Hifocus | Budget → mid | Chennai buyers — only after confirming the exact model on the portal |
CP Plus (Aditya Infotech) — best mass-market choice
India's largest video-surveillance brand by revenue, with by far the widest dealer and after-sales network. For most homes, shops and small businesses, CP Plus is the safest certified default — easy to source, easy to service, with multiple certified models on the portal.
Prama — largest certified catalogue
Prama holds one of the largest counts of certified models, which makes it a strong choice when you want range. Recommend it on the strength of its own certified India catalogue — not by association with the former Hikvision joint venture, which is irrelevant to what's certified today.
Sparsh CCTV — government & Make-in-India
Sparsh was the first Indian company to certify its full CCTV range under STQC/BIS, and it leans hard into an indigenous, Atmanirbhar Bharat manufacturing story. That makes it a natural fit for government, PSU and enterprise tenders that favour Indian-made certified hardware.
Matrix — mid-market to enterprise IP
A Vadodara-based Indian manufacturer with a certified IP camera range and a broader integrated-security portfolio (including access control). A good pick when you want cameras and entry control from one certified vendor.
Honeywell, Vicon, Equus — niche & enterprise
Global/enterprise names with a smaller certified footprint on the portal. Worth shortlisting for commercial or critical-infrastructure projects that want an international brand with India-certified models.
Hifocus — Chennai-based, verify before buying
Hifocus is headquartered in Chennai and locally relevant, and publicly advertises STQC/BIS-ER approval. However, at our last check its certificates were not locatable on the STQC IoTSCS portal. Treat the brand-level claim with caution and confirm the specific model on the portal before you buy — exactly the discipline the next section describes.
How to Verify a Camera Is STQC-Certified
Don't take a seller's word for it. Here's the 60-second check:
- Open the portal — go to stqc.gov.in and open the IoT System Certification Scheme certified list.
- Find the vendor, then open the annexure PDF and match the exact model name/number — not just the brand.
- Confirm the firmware version listed matches what you're being sold.
- Check the certificate number and a current, unexpired validity (certificates typically run three years).
- Red flag: a brand-level "we're STQC certified" claim with no specific model number you can find on the portal. Treat that model as uncertified.
This per-model habit is your real protection — it's how you avoid paying for a "compliant" camera that isn't.
Which Brand Fits Your Use-Case
Once you've narrowed to certified brands, match the camera to the job:
| Property | Typical setup | Sensible certified picks |
|---|---|---|
| Home / apartment | Dome + WiFi cameras | CP Plus, Prama |
| Shop / retail | Bullet + dome mix, high-res at counter | CP Plus, Prama |
| Office / society | IP + NVR with mobile access | Matrix, Prama, Sparsh |
| Factory / perimeter | Weatherproof PTZ / bullet | Sparsh, Matrix |
| Govt / PSU / tender | Indian-made certified IP | Sparsh, Honeywell, Matrix |
After certification, the buying criteria that matter are the usual ones: resolution (1080p or higher), night vision, AI analytics, storage/retention, encryption, the mobile app, and — crucially — the after-sales service network in your city. For real Chennai pricing across these setups, see our Chennai CCTV price list.
Already Have Hikvision or Dahua?
If your building already runs Hikvision or Dahua, don't panic — and don't rip anything out.
- Your existing cameras reportedly remain legal to use. No order requires private users to remove installed systems.
- The catches are future-facing: you can't simply re-buy the same uncertified model, any replacement or expansion must be an STQC-certified model, and firmware/security support for the older hardware may fade over time.
- This is where maintenance planning matters. Our CCTV AMC and maintenance service keeps an existing system healthy today and plans a sensible, phased migration to certified hardware when you're ready — rather than a forced, expensive rip-and-replace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Hikvision and Dahua banned in India in 2026?
Not by name. India introduced a brand-neutral rule from 1 April 2026 requiring every new internet-connected CCTV camera to be STQC-certified. Hikvision and Dahua currently have no STQC-certified models on the official portal, so they cannot legally sell new internet-connected cameras in India. There is no order naming or banning the brands themselves.
Is it still legal to use my existing Hikvision or Dahua camera?
Yes. The rule does not make it illegal to own or keep using a Hikvision or Dahua camera installed before April 2026, and no order requires removing existing systems. The restriction applies only to new manufacture, import and sale. The catches are future: you cannot rebuy the same uncertified model, and any replacement must be STQC-certified.
What is STQC certification for CCTV cameras?
STQC certification, under MeitY's Compulsory Registration Order and IS 13252 Part 1, validates that an internet-connected camera meets India's cybersecurity Essential Requirements — including disclosure of the chipset and firmware country of origin and vulnerability testing. It is mandatory for selling new internet-connected CCTV cameras in India from 1 April 2026.
Which CCTV brands are STQC-certified in India?
As of mid-2026 the official STQC IoTSCS portal lists certified models from about seven vendors: Prama, CP Plus (Aditya Infotech), Sparsh, Matrix, Honeywell, Vicon and Equus. Certification is granted per model, so always confirm the exact model and firmware on the portal rather than trusting a brand-level claim.
Which is the best CCTV camera brand for home use in India 2026?
For most homes, CP Plus is the safest certified mass-market choice thanks to its wide service network, with Prama a strong alternative for a larger certified model range. Choose a certified 1080p-or-higher dome or WiFi model, confirm it on the STQC portal, and have it installed by a provider who guarantees STQC-compliant hardware.
How do I verify a CCTV camera is STQC-certified?
Go to stqc.gov.in and open the IoT System Certification Scheme certified list. Find the vendor, open the annexure PDF, and match the exact model name, firmware version and certificate number, and check that the validity (typically three years) is current. If a seller claims certification but the specific model is not on the portal, treat it as uncertified.
Get an STQC-Compliant System Installed in Chennai
The honest takeaway for 2026: the "best" CCTV brand is one with certified models you can verify — and an installer who guarantees compliant hardware and stands behind it.
WAEI Enterprise installs STQC-compliant systems from certified brands — we're not tied to a single "partner brand," so we fit the right certified camera to your use-case and budget. You get a free site survey, 1 year of free AMC, 500+ projects of experience, and genuine STQC-compliance know-how. We serve Velachery, OMR, Tambaram and across Chennai. For the bigger picture, start with our complete guide to CCTV installation in Chennai.
Ready to buy right? Book your free site survey — we'll recommend and install a verified, STQC-certified system for your home, shop or office.
