Sanchar Saathi App: Features, Mandate U-Turn, and How to Combat Cyber Fraud in India

Sanchar Saathi App 2025: Full features, Chakshu fraud reporting, IMEI blocking & mandate U-turn explained. Download now to protect yourself from cyber fraud.

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In an era where cyber fraud has surged by over 900% in recent years, the Sanchar Saathi App has become India’s go-to tool for telecom security and fraud prevention. Launched in January 2025 by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), this free mobile app and web portal empowers over 1.2 billion users to report scams, block stolen phones, and verify connections—all while sparking a national debate on privacy. With a dramatic U-turn on its mandatory pre-installation order in December 2025, Sanchar Saathi is back in the spotlight. This guide breaks down its features, impact, controversy, and why it’s essential for every smartphone user in 2025.

What is Sanchar Saathi App?

Sanchar Saathi (meaning “Communication Partner” in Hindi) is a DoT initiative designed to address rising telecom-related crimes such as phishing, identity theft, and misuse of stolen devices. Available on Android (Google Play) and iOS (App Store), plus the web portal at sancharsaathi.gov.in, it’s multilingual (22 languages) and integrates with systems like the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR).

Key stats as of December 2025:

Downloads: Over 1.4 crore (14 million) total, with 6 lakh new installs in a single day after the controversy.
Impact: Blocked 42.29 lakh stolen mobiles, traced 26.21 lakh, resolved 2.56 crore unauthorized connections, and stopped 6 lakh fraudulent transactions.

It’s not a cybercrime FIR tool—redirect to 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in for that—but a proactive shield against everyday threats.

Core Features: Empowering Users Against Fraud

Sanchar Saathi packs six powerful modules for seamless security:

Feature	Description	How It Helps Users
Chakshu (Report Fraud)	Flag suspicious calls, SMS, WhatsApp messages, or links (e.g., fake KYC demands, investment scams). Supports UCC/spam reports under TRAI rules.	Prevents financial losses; 6.6 lakh reports led to 41 lakh actions by Dec 2025. Confidential and easy—upload screenshots via app.
Block Lost/Stolen Phones	Report IMEI to block across all networks via CEIR; unblock on recovery with police FIR.	Recovered 7.2 lakh devices; detects clones/counterfeits instantly.
Know Your Connections (TAFCOP)	Check/report unauthorized SIMs in your name (max 9 per person). Triggers re-verification and suspension.	Blocked 1.5 crore fake connections; ideal for identity theft prevention.
Verify Device Genuineness	Scan IMEI for authenticity (SMS “KYM<15-digit IMEI>” to 14422 or app scan).	Avoids buying fakes; checks blacklisted status in seconds.
Report International Spoofing	Alert on +91 calls from abroad (via illegal VoIP setups). Helplines: 1963/1800110420.	Combats national security threats; ensures quick DoT/police action.
Trusted Contacts & Awareness	Verified bank helplines, emails, websites; educational alerts on risks.	Builds fraud awareness; integrates with wireline ISP search by PIN code.

To use: Download, verify with OTP, select module, submit. No personal data stored beyond reports—privacy-first design.

The Mandate Controversy: From Forced Install to Voluntary Surge

What started as a bold push for universal access turned into a privacy storm:

November 28, 2025: DoT’s confidential order under Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024, mandates pre-installation on all new phones (90-day compliance for manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi). Non-deletable, visible on first boot; software updates for existing devices. Goal: Reach 90 crore+ users amid low adoption.
December 1–2 Backlash: Leaks spark outrage—opposition calls it “snooping app,” digital rights groups (e.g., MediaNama) warn of root-level access risks, Apple preps legal challenge citing data leaks. Fears: Camera/mic permissions for IMEI scans enable surveillance, violating Article 21 (Puttaswamy judgment).
Minister’s Defense: Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in Lok Sabha: “No snooping possible; app activates only on consent, deletable anytime.” Highlights voluntary success: 2,000 daily fraud reports.
December 3 U-Turn: Mandate scrapped amid protests. DoT cites “rapid user growth” (6 lakh downloads in 24 hours) as reason—no need for force. PIB: “Secure app to protect from bad actors; no other function.”

X (formerly Twitter) reactions: Users praised the rollback (#SancharSaathiVoluntary), while some debated security vs. privacy (“Is it about your privacy or terrorist anonymity?”). Apple seeks formal confirmation.

This reversal underscores India’s balancing act: Cyber safety without overreach, aligning with Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

Why Sanchar Saathi Matters in 2025: Tackling India’s Cyber Fraud Epidemic

With NCRB reporting 900% fraud rise (2023 data), Sanchar Saathi fills gaps in CERT-In and NCIIPC frameworks:

For Individuals: Instant alerts on spoofed calls; recovers lost phones (7.2 lakh returned).
For Economy: Stops ₹thousands in scams; aids GSTN/police via Digital Intelligence Platform.
Broader Ties: Complements UPI safety, Aadhaar verification, and Viksit Bharat’s digital pillar.

Limitations: Not for full cyber probes; user-dependent reporting. Future: API pilots for auto-device validation.

How to Download and Get Started with Sanchar Saathi App

Android: Search “Sanchar Saathi” on Google Play (1+ crore downloads).
iOS: App Store (9.5 lakh downloads).
Web: Visit sancharsaathi.gov.in—no install needed.
Setup: Enter mobile number, OTP verify, grant minimal permissions (location optional for IMEI).
Pro Tip: Enable notifications for real-time fraud alerts; report via helpline 1909 for DND.

Safe? Audited by DoT; no data sharing without consent. Delete anytime post-use.

Conclusion

The Sanchar Saathi App’s journey—from launch hero to controversy survivor—highlights India’s evolving cyber defenses. With 41 lakh actions against fraud and voluntary adoption soaring, it’s proving essential without mandates. In a world of rising scams, download it today: Report, block, stay secure. As Minister Scindia says, “It’s for your protection, not prying.”