India is set to tighten rules on Chinese-made CCTV cameras starting April 1, mainly targeting companies like Hikvision, Dahua Technology and TP-Link over national security concerns. The decision is expected to reshape the country’s fast-growing surveillance equipment market and give a strong push to local manufacturers. What’s changing from April 1? Under new government certification rules, Chinese brands will not be allowed to sell internet-connected CCTV cameras and related surveillance devices in India unless they meet strict security requirements. These rules make it mandatory for manufacturers to get official approval before selling surveillance equipment in the Indian market. Why the government is taking this step CCTV systems are considered critical infrastructure because they monitor sensitive places such as: Authorities worry that foreign-made surveillance devices could lead to: To address these risks, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology introduced Essential Requirements (ER) norms in April 2024. Companies were given two years to comply under the STQC certification system. Manufacturers must now: So far, 507 CCTV models have already been approved under the new framework. How big is India’s CCTV market? India’s surveillance market is currently valued between $5 billion and $7.5 billion and has expanded quickly due to: Chinese brands once controlled about one-third of the market, mainly because of lower prices and strong distribution networks. But things are changing. Indian companies are gaining ground Local brands such as CP Plus, Qubo, Prama, Matrix and Sparsh have increased their presence by shifting to Taiwanese chipsets and developing locally controlled software. By February 2026, Indian companies held over 80% of the market, while global players like Bosch and Honeywell continued leading the premium category. Many Chinese vendors have already changed supply chains or exited India. What this means for businesses and consumers Experts believe Indian manufacturers will benefit as demand shifts toward trusted local products. However, there may be short-term effects such as: Over time, domestic production is expected to increase and stabilise the market. Private companies are also waiting for clarity on whether these restrictions will apply beyond government purchases to the wider commercial sector. Why chinese CCTV firms face global scrutiny Major surveillance companies like Hikvision and Dahua are among the world’s biggest manufacturers. Still, security agencies in several countries have raised concerns about: India’s latest move reflects a broader effort to strengthen digital security and control over surveillance infrastructure.
