By the SightShield team · · 3 min read
Why India introduced new CCTV rules
Network cameras and recorders are computers connected to the internet. Badly secured devices can leak video, be taken over by botnets, or be used as a way into a company network. In 2024 the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) added "Essential Requirements for Security of CCTV" to the compulsory registration scheme that already governed CCTV products in India. Cameras now have to pass security tests, not just the electrical safety tests they needed before.
The timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 9 April 2024 | MeitY notified the Essential Requirements (ER) for security of CCTV cameras, originally due to apply from October 2024 |
| 9 October 2024 | Deadline extended to 9 April 2025 at industry’s request |
| 22 October 2024 | BIS issued implementation guidelines; testing goes through STQC-recognised labs |
| 12 March 2025 | MeitY clarified that analog CCTV cameras do not need ER testing (reported by compliance consultants) |
| 9 April 2025 | Models without ER compliance removed from registrations; no new models registered without it |
| 1 April 2026 | Relaxation for selling older stock withdrawn — non-compliant cameras can no longer be sold (reported by several industry sources) |
What the tests cover
The Essential Requirements look at how a camera is built and maintained, not how good the picture is. Summaries published by law firms describe four areas:
- Hardware: protected debug ports, unique keys and certificates for each device, and tamper resistance.
- Software and firmware: signed firmware, protection of data in transit, no hidden back-doors, and updates from trusted servers.
- Process: checks on where components come from and on supply-chain risks.
- Development: documented design, threat analysis and malware checks.
Where STQC fits in
STQC (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification) is a directorate under MeitY. For CCTV, BIS routes applications to STQC, which assigns a recognised lab to test the product. The test report goes back through STQC to BIS, which issues the certification. That is why the industry calls these "STQC-certified" cameras.
Is any brand banned?
No official notice bans any brand by name — the rule applies model by model. However, press reports in April 2026 (MediaNama, citing the Economic Times) said network cameras from Chinese manufacturers such as Hikvision and Dahua were in practice not receiving certification. Analog (HD-over-coax) cameras are exempt from the security testing. Whatever the brand, ask for proof of certification for the exact IP camera model in your quotation.
How to check a camera before you buy
- Ask your installer to confirm that each IP camera model in the quotation is ER-compliant.
- Look for the compliance statement on the box or datasheet — compliant products may state that the camera complies with the Essential Requirements for Security of CCTV.
- Check the model’s registration on the BIS CRS website (crsbis.in).
- Be wary of unusually cheap imported cameras, grey-market stock and online listings without clear model numbers.
- Analog (HD-over-coax) cameras are reported to be exempt from ER testing, but they still need standard BIS registration.
What if you already have cameras?
The rules govern the sale of cameras, so existing installed systems are not affected. They are still a good prompt to check your own system’s security: change default passwords, update firmware, and keep cameras off the open internet. A health check under an AMC covers all of this.
CCTV AMC and health checks →Quick answers
What is STQC certification for CCTV?+
It is shorthand for a camera model having passed security testing against MeitY’s Essential Requirements through an STQC-recognised lab, as part of BIS registration.
Do analog CCTV cameras need STQC certification?+
According to MeitY’s March 2025 clarification as reported by compliance consultants, analog cameras do not need ER testing, though they still need standard BIS registration.
Do I have to replace my existing cameras?+
No. The rules apply to cameras being sold. Existing systems can continue, though it is wise to secure them with strong passwords and updated firmware.
Are Hikvision or Dahua cameras banned in India?+
No official notice bans a brand by name, but press reports in April 2026 said Chinese makers’ network cameras were not receiving certification. Analog cameras are exempt. Check the certification of the specific model before buying.