If you have a Hikvision or Dahua CCTV camera at home, in your shop or at your office in Delhi — this news is directly relevant to you. India has enforced one of its most significant tech security decisions since the 2020 app ban. Here’s everything explained clearly.
What Has Happened — The Big Decision
Starting April 1, 2026, the Indian government has enforced a de facto ban on major Chinese CCTV brands. Chinese video surveillance companies such as Hikvision, Dahua and TP-Link are barred from selling internet-connected CCTV cameras and other video surveillance products in India, as new certification rules have officially taken effect.
The government is explicitly refusing to certify products made by these Chinese video surveillance companies and those using Chinese chipsets, effectively shutting these firms out of the Indian market.
As of April 1, 2026, it is illegal to sell any internet-connected CCTV camera in India that does not carry the mandatory STQC security clearance.
What Is STQC — The Rule Behind the Ban
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) introduced Essential Requirements (ER) norms for CCTV cameras back in April 2024, giving manufacturers a two-year window to comply. That deadline expired on April 1, 2026.
Under the rules, all internet-enabled CCTV cameras sold in India must now receive government certification before being marketed or sold. Two specific requirements determine who gets certified and who does not:
Requirement 1 — Declare the System-on-Chip (SoC) Origin: Manufacturers must explicitly disclose the country of origin of critical components like the System-on-Chip. The government is refusing to certify any product with Chinese-origin chipsets.
Requirement 2 — STQC Lab Testing: Devices must pass tests at accredited STQC labs that check for cybersecurity vulnerabilities — specifically, any loopholes that could allow unauthorized remote access or covert data transmission to foreign servers.
Chinese companies have failed on both counts — their cameras use Chinese-origin chipsets that regulators will not certify, and their hardware has raised concerns about backdoor access vulnerabilities.
Which Chinese Brands Are Blocked?
| Brand | Status from April 1, 2026 |
| Hikvision | Most models effectively banned — some certified models with Taiwanese chips still legal |
| Dahua Technology | Fully blocked — no certified products |
| TP-Link | Internet-connected camera products banned |
| Xiaomi / Realme smart cameras | Withdrawn from market due to compliance challenges |
Important on Hikvision: Not all Hikvision products are fully blocked. Some Hikvision models that use non-Chinese chipsets have received STQC certification and can still be legally sold. Always ask your dealer to show the STQC certificate for the specific model before purchasing.
Why Is India Doing This? — The National Security Story
This is not a trade war measure. It is a national security decision years in the making.
Security agencies in India raised concerns that certain cameras — particularly those made with Chinese chipsets — could potentially allow unauthorised remote access, covert data transmission to foreign servers, and surveillance of sensitive installations.
In 2021, the government informed Parliament that around one million CCTV cameras installed in government institutions and public-sector sites were sourced from Chinese companies, highlighting the scale of dependence. More recently, central agencies ordered pan-India audits of CCTV networks in major cities, driven by security probes into potential foreign-linked spy rings and concerns about hostile entities remotely accessing camera feeds.
The policy stems from long-standing concerns that Chinese-linked surveillance equipment could be exploited for espionage, unauthorised remote access or covert data transfer. The Ghaziabad espionage case in March 2026 further accelerated the crackdown, prompting a pan-India audit of all CCTV installations.
Companies such as Hikvision and Dahua have faced increasing global scrutiny over issues such as hidden “backdoor” access, transmission of data to foreign servers, and deployment of these cameras in sensitive locations such as defence facilities or government buildings.
The Market Shift — From Chinese Dominance to Indian Takeover
The numbers tell a dramatic story.
In 2024, Chinese vendors held roughly one-third of the market, Indian vendors another one-third, multinational brands around 10 per cent, while the remaining 20 per cent belonged to smaller traders in the unstructured segment.
As of February 2026, Indian players control more than 80 per cent of the market, with the rest shared by global brands and smaller unorganised vendors. The shift happened because many Chinese players either altered their supply chains or exited the market entirely in anticipation of the April deadline.
Currently, 507 models of CCTV cameras are certified to sell in the Indian market. Only cameras from this certified list can be legally purchased going forward.
Which Indian Brands Win — The Certified Alternatives
For Delhi homeowners, shop owners, businesses and housing societies currently buying or upgrading CCTV systems — here are the certified Indian alternatives:
| Brand | Why Choose It |
| CP Plus | India’s #1 CCTV brand. Fully STQC certified, Taiwanese chipsets, widest service network across Delhi. Best for homes, shops and offices of all sizes. |
| Qubo | Indian brand by Hero Group. Fully certified, AI-powered, ₹2,000–₹4,000 per camera, mobile-first app. Ideal for apartments and small homes. |
| Prama | Indian-manufactured, enterprise-grade. Best for large offices and housing societies. |
| Matrix | Certified, India-made, enterprise security solutions. |
| Sparsh | Certified domestic brand with robust outdoor options. |
| Bosch / Honeywell | International brands dominating the premium segment — fully certified. |
Note on CP Plus: Modern CP Plus cameras have shifted to Taiwanese chipsets and are fully certified. They are no longer OEM Dahua products and are completely legal to buy.
What Happens to Your Existing Camera?
This is the question every Delhi homeowner is asking.
The new rules primarily apply to the future sale and certification of internet-connected CCTV cameras. As of now, there is no nationwide directive requiring the removal of existing cameras installed in homes, shops or private offices. Industry experts say privately installed systems — including those using foreign-origin equipment — are unlikely to face immediate disruption unless they are linked to sensitive networks or come under specific regulatory requirements in the future.
However, over time it is expected that uncertified Chinese-origin internet-CCTVs may be edged out through voluntary upgrades, lender requirements and integration into secure city-level surveillance networks.
In short: Your existing Hikvision or Dahua camera will continue to function. But you cannot buy a new uncertified model to replace or expand it.
Will CCTV Prices Rise in Delhi?
The restrictions could cause some disruption in the surveillance equipment market. Possible impacts include a temporary supply shortage and a slight increase in CCTV system prices.
The denial for Chinese manufacturers will indeed give an opportunity to the indigenous firms to enhance their share in the market and consolidate their footprint in the supply chain of video surveillance devices.
For consumers, experts say the price impact will be modest in the short term — Indian brands have scaled up significantly and supply is not critically disrupted. Over time, increased domestic competition is expected to keep prices stable or even push them lower.
Buyer’s Guide — How to Buy a CCTV in Delhi in 2026
Step 1 — Only buy from the 507 STQC-certified models. Ask your dealer for the STQC certificate.
Step 2 — Avoid unbranded or grey-market cameras entirely. These were never certified and are now illegal to sell.
Step 3 — Do not buy from unverified online sellers who may be clearing uncertified stock at low prices.
Step 4 — Stick to certified brands — CP Plus, Qubo, Prama, Matrix, Sparsh and certified Hikvision models.
Step 5 — For large installations (housing societies, offices, shops), consult a certified installer who can verify STQC compliance.
India Chinese CCTV Ban 2026 — FAQs
Q. Are Hikvision cameras completely banned in India?
Not completely — some Hikvision models using non-Chinese chipsets have STQC certification and can still be sold legally. Always ask for the certificate before buying.
Q. Is Dahua fully banned in India?
Yes — Dahua Technology has been fully blocked as no Dahua products have received STQC certification under the new rules.
Q. What is STQC certification?
Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification — a MeitY government regime that all internet-connected CCTV cameras sold in India must now pass. It checks for cybersecurity vulnerabilities and source of key components.
Q. Will my existing Hikvision/Dahua camera stop working?
No — existing installations continue to function. The ban applies to new sales, not cameras already installed.
Q. Which Indian CCTV brand should I buy instead?
CP Plus, Qubo, Prama, Matrix and Sparsh are all STQC certified and recommended. CP Plus has the widest service network across Delhi-NCR.
Q. Why did India ban Chinese CCTVs?
National security concerns — fears of hidden backdoor access, unauthorised data transmission to foreign servers, and espionage risks from Chinese-chipset cameras near sensitive government and defence locations.
Q. How many CCTV models are still legally certified for sale in India?
507 CCTV models are currently certified under STQC for legal sale in India.
Bookmark delhincrtimes.com — we will publish Delhi-specific updates on certified CCTV dealers, government building audit results and market developments as this story evolves!
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