• Source:JND

Starting April 1, 2026, India will implement new and very strict regulations effectively barring prominent Chinese surveillance firms from selling internet-connected security cameras. These firms include Hikvision, Dahua and TP-Link. This move follows a strategic shift by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to secure national digital infrastructure.

The New Regulatory Landscape

This chnage in market is centred on the Essential Requirements (ER) norms, which was introduced in 2024. Now, the manufacturers must have to clear the Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) to secure their bussiness in the market.

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Key compliance factors include:

Component Transparency: Companies must disclose the origin of critical hardware, specifically the System-on-Chip (SoC).

Vulnerability Testing: Devices undergo rigorous testing in accredited labs to ensure there are no "backdoors" or unauthorised remote access points.

Certified Models: As of the current deadline, over 500 CCTV models have already successfully secured government certification.

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Why this Shift?

Surveillance networks are now categorised as critical infrastructure. Because these systems monitor airports, transport hubs and government offices, the administration is prioritising data sovereignty to prevent:

Unauthorised Data Outflow: Risks of sensitive video data being transmitted to foreign servers.

External Control: The potential for foreign entities to hijack or disable vital surveillance feeds.

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Market Dynamics And Rise Of Indian Brands

The Indian video surveillance market, valued between USD 5 billion and USD 7.5 billion, is undergoing a massive structural change. While Chinese brands previously held a third of the market through aggressive pricing, the landscape has shifted dramatically.

The Current Landscape (as of February 2026):

Domestic Dominance: Indian players like CP Plus, Qubo, Prama, Matrix, and Sparsh now control more than 80 per cent of the market. They achieved this by shifting supply chains to Taiwanese chipsets and developing localised firmware.

Chinese Decline: Previously holding roughly 33 per cent of the market in 2024, many Chinese vendors have either altered their business models or exited the market entirely.

Premium Segment: Global multinational brands such as Bosch and Honeywell continue to lead the high-end, premium sector.


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