India Bans Chinese CCTV Cameras from April 1 — Hikvision, Dahua, TP-Link Out, Indian Brands Win Big
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Shaurya Thakur 2026-03-30 India China Ban, CCTV Security Rules'26 73
Starting April 1, 2026, India is effectively slamming the door on Chinese surveillance cameras — and this is one of the most significant technology and national security moves the Modi government has made in years.
Chinese giants Hikvision, Dahua, and TP-Link will no longer be able to sell internet-connected CCTV cameras and video surveillance equipment in India. New certification rules coming into force on April 1 make it impossible for these companies to operate in the Indian market — and the reason is simple: national security.
What Exactly Is Happening?
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, or MeitY, introduced new Essential Requirements norms for CCTV cameras back in April 2024. The industry was given exactly two years to comply — and that window closes on April 1, 2026.
Under these rules, every internet-connected CCTV camera sold in India must pass mandatory Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification, known as STQC testing, at government-accredited labs. The tests check for cybersecurity vulnerabilities — specifically, whether the device can be remotely accessed without authorisation, and whether data captured by the camera could be transmitted to servers abroad without the owner's knowledge.
Here is where Chinese companies run into a wall. Manufacturers are also required to declare the country of origin of their critical components — most importantly, the System-on-Chip, or SoC, which is essentially the brain of the camera. The Indian government is refusing to grant certification to any product that uses Chinese-origin chipsets. Since Hikvision, Dahua, and TP-Link's products are built around Chinese components and manufactured in China, they cannot pass this test. Without STQC certification, their products cannot be legally sold, imported, or manufactured in India.
The result: effective market ban from April 1.
Why Is India Doing This?
This move did not come out of nowhere. Concerns about Chinese surveillance hardware have been building for years.
In 2021, responding to a Lok Sabha query, the Indian government formally acknowledged that approximately 10 lakh CCTV cameras installed in government institutions across India had been sourced from Chinese companies. The government admitted that video data captured by these devices could potentially be transmitted to servers located outside India — a direct national security concern. Steps were taken at the time to filter URLs and IP addresses, but the underlying vulnerability remained.
As of February 2026, the government issued a detailed circular making the policy framework crystal clear: STQC security certification would apply uniformly to all internet-connected surveillance equipment. The circular also aligned two regulatory frameworks — the Compulsory Registration Order and the Public Procurement Preference under Make in India — so that a single STQC security test report would cover compliance under both. In short, no loopholes, no exceptions.
The timing matters too. As India's geopolitical relationship with China remains complex — with border tensions along the Line of Actual Control, restrictions on Chinese apps and investment, and now the ban on Chinese CCTV hardware — this move is part of a consistent, long-term strategy to reduce India's technological and security dependence on Chinese products.
Which Companies Are Affected?
The three companies most directly impacted are Hikvision, Dahua Technology, and TP-Link.
Hikvision is the world's largest video surveillance equipment manufacturer by revenue and market share. Based in Hangzhou, China, it has faced scrutiny globally — the United States placed it on its Entity List in 2019 over national security concerns, and several Western countries have since banned or restricted its use in government installations.
Dahua Technology is the second-largest Chinese video surveillance company and faces similar restrictions in the US and UK. Like Hikvision, its products have been flagged for vulnerabilities that allow unauthorized remote access.
TP-Link is primarily known for networking equipment but has a significant CCTV product range. It too uses Chinese chipsets and faces the same certification barrier.
Until recently, these three companies combined accounted for roughly one-third of all CCTV sales in India. That market share disappears from April 1.
Who Benefits? India's Own Companies Are Already Winning
This is where the story gets genuinely positive for Indian industry.
Domestic surveillance brands have been preparing for this moment. Companies like CP Plus, Qubo, Prama, Matrix, and Sparsh have already restructured their entire hardware supply chains — switching from Chinese chipsets to Taiwanese alternatives and developing localised proprietary firmware. Over 500 CCTV models from compliant manufacturers have already received STQC certification.
The results are already showing in market share data. As of February 2026, Indian manufacturers control over 80% of India's CCTV market — up from about one-third just two years ago. Premium international brands like Bosch and Honeywell continue to hold the high-end enterprise segment, but the bulk of the market is now firmly in Indian hands.
Industry experts expect this trend to accelerate dramatically after April 1. With Chinese competitors effectively locked out, Indian brands stand to absorb their remaining market share quickly.
What Does This Mean for Consumers and Businesses?
If you are a homeowner or small business owner who currently uses Hikvision or Dahua cameras — your existing equipment will not be suddenly switched off. The ban is on new sales, not on devices already installed. You can continue using what you have.
However, if your cameras are internet-connected and you have concerns about data security — particularly if they are monitoring sensitive locations — it would be prudent to consider replacing them with certified alternatives.
If you are looking to buy new CCTV cameras for your home, office, or business, the key advice is simple: check for STQC certification before purchasing. Products without this certification cannot legally be sold in India from April 1 — so any uncertified product still being offered is a red flag.
On pricing, expect a 15-20% increase in mid-range and high-end camera segments as the market adjusts to the higher cost of compliant, Taiwanese-chipset products compared to the heavily subsidised Chinese hardware that previously dominated.
A Pattern of Technological De-Risking
This CCTV ban is the latest in a series of moves India has made to reduce its technological exposure to Chinese companies. The ban on Chinese apps including TikTok and several hundred others in 2020 and beyond, restrictions on Chinese companies in sensitive infrastructure, curbs on Chinese investment in critical sectors, and now the hardware certification ban for surveillance equipment — together these tell a coherent story of a government systematically reducing its security exposure.
At a time when India is building out massive surveillance infrastructure for smart cities, public safety systems, and critical installations, ensuring that the hardware powering that infrastructure is from trusted sources is not just a trade policy decision. It is a foundational national security requirement.
For more on India's China policy, also read: India-China Trade Gap Hits $102 Billion — What It Means for You, India's Economy, and the Road Ahead and China Allows Visa-Free Entry to 50 Countries; Is India in?
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