From April 1, 2026, the rules for buying CCTV in India changed in a way that affects every homeowner, business and installer in Chennai. This is not a brand "ban" in the way headlines suggest. It is a mandatory STQC certification regime: new internet-connected CCTV cameras and recorders can only be sold in India if the specific model has cleared government cybersecurity testing. This guide explains exactly what is now legal, what is prohibited, which brands made the cut, and how to verify any model yourself before you spend a rupee.
We have written this for real-world decisions — replacing a failed camera, fitting out a new office on OMR, or auditing an existing system — not just to repeat the press release.
The short version: Existing installations stay legal. New, network-connected cameras must be STQC-certified per model. Chinese-chipset products (Hikvision, Dahua, TP-Link) largely fail certification, so they cannot be sold as new internet cameras — but the same gate also catches some non-Chinese brands that have not certified their models yet.
What is STQC Certification, in Plain Terms
STQC (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification) is a directorate under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India. For CCTV, STQC runs the IoT System Certification Scheme (IoTSCS), under which a camera or recorder is tested against MeitY's Essential Requirements (ER) for security before it can be sold.
This sits inside a broader legal framework:
| Instrument | Authority | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory Registration Order (CRO) | MeitY / BIS | Brings CCTV cameras into the regulated-products net |
| Essential Requirements (ER) | MeitY / STQC | Defines the cybersecurity tests a model must pass |
| IS 13252 (Part 1) | BIS | Baseline electrical safety standard for the device |
| PPP-MII (Public Procurement) | Government | Make-in-India preference for government tenders |
A camera certified under IoTSCS receives a certificate number in the format STQC/IOTSCS/ER/xxx, tied to specific model numbers, with an issue date and a three-year validity. That detail matters: certification is granted per model, not per brand.
Is STQC Certification Mandatory? The Precise Legal Status
This is where most articles get sloppy. Here is the defensible position:
- Yes, it is mandatory for new CCTV cameras and recorders sold, manufactured, or imported in India from 1 April 2026.
- MeitY withdrew the earlier relaxation that had allowed sale of non-conforming devices. The official wording is that from 01 April 2026, no sale of CCTV cameras not conforming to the Essential Requirements will be allowed.
- This applies to network-connected (internet/IP-capable) cameras — the cybersecurity rationale is about devices that can be reached over a network.
- It is not, on paper, a ban on any named brand. It is a gate. A brand passes by getting each model certified.
So when you read "Hikvision is banned in India," the accurate version is: no Hikvision-branded model currently appears on the STQC certified list, so new Hikvision-branded internet cameras cannot legally be sold from April 2026. The distinction protects you legally and helps you make better buying decisions.
What Is Prohibited vs What Stays Legal
| Scenario | Status from 1 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Selling a new non-certified internet CCTV camera | Prohibited |
| Importing non-compliant CCTV devices | Prohibited |
| Installing a new non-certified camera for a client | Prohibited (dealer/installer liable) |
| Your existing installed non-certified cameras | Legal — no forced removal |
| Running an old DVR/NVR you already own | Legal |
| Buying a certified replacement for a failed camera | Required — and may not match your old recorder |
The practical sting is replacements. If a camera in your existing non-certified system fails, you cannot buy the same model again. You must source a certified alternative, and it may not be compatible with your current NVR or DVR — which is the most common surprise we are now handling for Chennai clients. A non-certified camera and a certified one can differ in their default streaming protocol, codec handshake, or proprietary licence-plate and motion features, so a "simple swap" sometimes forces a recorder upgrade too. Our CCTV AMC plans are built around exactly this kind of compliant lifecycle planning, so a single failed unit does not snowball into an unplanned system replacement.
The Essential Requirements (ER) — What Models Are Tested Against
The ER tests exist because a hackable camera is worse than no camera. STQC IoTSCS and the BIS ER-01 route test against the same MeitY-published security requirements. In practical terms a certified model must demonstrate:
| Requirement | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| No default passwords | No shipped "admin/admin"; unique or forced-change credentials |
| Secure boot & signed firmware | Firmware updates are cryptographically verified |
| Encrypted communication | Video and control traffic over TLS/HTTPS |
| No hidden access / backdoors | Debug and test ports disabled in production |
| Supply-chain transparency | Chipset (SoC) and component origin disclosed |
| Vulnerability disclosure policy | A published process to report and patch flaws |
Why this regime exists
A 2021 parliamentary disclosure noted that over a million CCTV cameras in Indian government institutions were Chinese-made, raising concerns that sensitive footage could be routed to foreign servers. Cameras are also a known weak point in network security: poorly secured devices have been hijacked into botnets and used to launch attacks far from where they were installed. India's move also mirrors actions abroad — the US restricted Hikvision and Dahua sales in 2022, and the UK and Australia removed Chinese cameras from sensitive government sites. The ER regime is India's structural answer: instead of chasing individual bad products, it sets a security floor that every model must clear before it can be sold.
Which Brands Are STQC Certified?
As of mid-2026, certification is live and the certified-product list is the only authority that counts. Brands with multiple certified models on the STQC IoTSCS list include established Indian and non-Chinese manufacturers:
| Brand | Notes |
|---|---|
| CP Plus | Wide certified range, large service network in Chennai |
| Prama | Many certified models (also the route some JV-built hardware takes) |
| Sparsh | Multiple certified network-camera models |
| Matrix | Make-in-India, enterprise focus |
| Honeywell | Certified models, non-Chinese components |
| Godrej Security | Established Indian brand |
| Bosch / Axis / Hanwha | Premium international, non-Chinese chipsets |
Indian and non-Chinese brands moved early — shifting to Taiwanese and Korean chipsets, localising firmware, and certifying models ahead of the deadline. For a deeper buyer-side comparison, see our best CCTV camera brands in India 2026 guide.
Verify, don't assume. A brand appearing here does not mean every one of its models is certified. Always check the exact model number against the portal (below).
What Happened to Hikvision, Dahua and TP-Link?
The certification gate, not a named ban, is what blocks them:
| Brand | Status (mid-2026) | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Hikvision | No Hikvision-branded model on the STQC IoTSCS list | Chinese-origin chipsets fail supply-chain disclosure; some hardware reaches the market via Indian JV brands |
| Dahua | No STQC-certified models | Chinese-origin chipsets, no clearance |
| TP-Link | Holds BIS ER-01 certification but is absent from the STQC IoTSCS list | Creates a confusing two-tier picture across procurement contexts |
The TP-Link case is a useful warning: BIS ER and STQC IoTSCS are related but not interchangeable lists. For government procurement especially, confirm which certification a tender actually demands.
How to Verify an STQC Certificate Yourself
Do not take a dealer's word. The process takes two minutes:
- Get the exact model number from the box or product label — not just the brand.
- Ask the seller for the certificate number in the
STQC/IOTSCS/ER/xxxformat. - Open the official certified-product list at the STQC portal: STQC IoT System Certification Scheme (IoTSCS) — certified product list.
- Match three things: the certificate number, the specific model number, and that it is still within its validity dates.
- Download the certificate PDF from the listing and confirm the vendor name matches your seller.
Red flags
- "Certification pending" — it may never arrive; do not buy on a promise.
- "Same as the certified model" — every model needs its own certificate.
- Unusually cheap stock — often non-compliant inventory being cleared.
- A brand-level claim with no model-specific certificate number.
- Reluctance to show documentation — a compliant seller has nothing to hide.
What This Means for Chennai Buyers and Installers
Homeowners
Choose a certified model from the start. Expect a modest price step-up versus old Chinese stock, and lean toward established Indian brands with strong local service. Verify before you pay — see our Chennai CCTV installation cost and price list to budget realistically.
Businesses
New installations must use certified cameras, and government or corporate contracts on the IT corridor will demand documentation. Audit your existing system, identify non-certified units that will be hard to replace, and plan a phased upgrade. Factories and warehouses with large camera counts should read our CCTV for factories and warehouses in Chennai guide for a structured approach.
Dealers and installers
From 1 April 2026, selling or installing non-certified internet cameras is non-compliant and exposes you to seizure and rejection in tenders. Clear non-certified inventory, partner with certified manufacturers, and keep the certificate PDF on file for every job.
If you are starting from scratch, our complete guide to CCTV installation in Chennai walks through the full process, and our IP CCTV service covers certified network-camera deployments end to end.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is STQC certification mandatory for CCTV in India?
Yes. From 1 April 2026, every new network-connected CCTV camera and recorder sold, manufactured, or imported in India must be STQC-certified against MeitY's Essential Requirements. MeitY withdrew the earlier relaxation, so non-conforming devices can no longer be sold. It applies per model, and it covers manufacturers, importers, distributors, dealers, and installers.
Are Hikvision and Dahua cameras banned in India?
Not by name. The rule is a certification mandate, not a brand ban. As of mid-2026 there are no Hikvision-branded or Dahua-certified models on the STQC IoTSCS list because their Chinese-origin chipsets do not meet the supply-chain disclosure requirement. The practical effect is that new Hikvision and Dahua internet cameras cannot legally be sold, even though existing installs remain legal.
Can I keep using my existing non-certified cameras?
Yes. The regime targets new sales and installations, not equipment already in service. Your installed cameras and recorders can keep running, and there is no forced removal. The catch is replacements: if a camera fails, you must buy a certified alternative, which may not be compatible with your old DVR or NVR.
How do I verify if a CCTV model is STQC certified?
Get the exact model number, ask the seller for the certificate number in the STQC/IOTSCS/ER format, then open the official certified-product list on the STQC IoTSCS portal. Match the certificate number, the specific model number, and the validity dates, and download the certificate PDF. Verify the model, never just the brand.
What is the difference between STQC and BIS ER-01 certification?
Both test against the same MeitY Essential Requirements, but they are separate lists maintained through different routes. A model can hold BIS ER-01 certification yet be absent from the STQC IoTSCS list, as has happened with TP-Link. For government procurement, confirm exactly which certification the tender requires rather than assuming one covers the other.
What happens if a dealer sells or installs non-certified cameras after April 2026?
It is non-compliant. Non-conforming stock can be subject to seizure, installations can be rejected in government and corporate projects, and there is exposure to penalties. Buyers can also face service and warranty problems and complications with insurance claims. This is why reputable installers provide the certificate for every camera they fit.
Why WAEI Enterprise
We install only STQC-certified, ER-compliant CCTV and hand over the certificate documentation for every camera we fit. Whether you are replacing a failed unit in an older system, fitting out a new commercial site, or auditing for compliance, we plan the upgrade so it is legal today and serviceable tomorrow.
- Compliance verified per model, not assumed by brand
- Certificate PDF supplied for every installation
- Chennai-based local support and fast response
- Transparent pricing with no clearance-stock surprises
Free compliance check: Contact WAEI Enterprise and we will confirm whether your planned or existing cameras meet the 2026 requirements.
Key Takeaways
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Effective date | 1 April 2026 — relaxation withdrawn |
| Nature of rule | Mandatory per-model certification, not a brand ban |
| Scope | New network-connected CCTV cameras and recorders |
| Existing installs | Remain legal; replacements must be certified |
| Chinese chipsets | Hikvision, Dahua, TP-Link largely absent from STQC list |
| Verify at | Official STQC IoTSCS certified-product portal, by model number |
Last updated: June 24, 2026. Based on official MeitY/STQC notifications and the STQC IoTSCS certified-product list. Regulations evolve — always verify a model's current status on the official portal before purchase.
![CCTV Installation in Perambur, Chennai [2026 Guide]](/_next/image?url=%2Fblog%2Fcctv-installation-perambur-chennai.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)
![CCTV Installation in T. Nagar, Chennai [2026 Guide]](/_next/image?url=%2Fblog%2Fcctv-installation-t-nagar-chennai.jpeg&w=3840&q=75)