(MENAFN- KNN India) New Delhi, Nov 17 (KNN) The Government has reiterated that all entities involved in the manufacture, import, and sale of mobile devices must comply with stringent regulations governing International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) registration and anti-tampering norms.

The advisory, issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), underscores that telecom devices form the core of India's digital infrastructure and must be secured against counterfeiting and misuse.

The framework is anchored in the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024, which together prohibit tampering with telecommunication identifiers and impose heavy penalties for violations.

Section 42(3)(c) of the Act explicitly bars any alteration of telecommunication identifiers, including IMEI numbers, while Section 42(3)(f) makes it an offence to knowingly possess devices-such as mobile handsets, modems, modules or SIM boxes-bearing unauthorised or tampered identifiers.

These offences are cognisable and non-bailable, carrying imprisonment of up to three years, fines of up to Rs 50 lakh, or both. The same punishment applies to those who abet such violations.

Under the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024, manufacturers must register IMEI numbers for all devices produced in India before their sale or use for testing or research.

Importers are required to complete IMEI registration prior to bringing any IMEI-bearing device into the country.

All registrations must be done on the Device Setu – Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction (ICDR) portal.

Amendments notified in 2025 enable the government to direct manufacturers not to assign IMEIs already active on Indian telecom networks to newly manufactured or imported equipment.

The regulatory framework also mandates verification of IMEI details before the sale or purchase of used mobile devices.

A national database of blacklisted and tampered IMEIs has been established, and entities transacting in second-hand devices must check this database, paying the applicable verification fees.

The requirement covers smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, dongles, USB modems, Wi-Fi hotspots, laptops with cellular capability, and assembled equipment such as SIM boxes.

Rule 8(3) of the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024 prohibits altering or removing a device's identification number or possessing tools designed for such manipulation.

Devices capable of using programmable IMEIs are deemed to violate these provisions and attract penalties under the Act and Rules. The government may also direct telecom entities to block devices with tampered IMEIs from accessing telecom networks.

According to DoT, full compliance is essential for safeguarding telecom cyber security, curbing counterfeit devices, supporting law enforcement investigations and ensuring proper tax and regulatory oversight.

Manufacturers, brand owners, importers, sellers and resellers have been advised to ensure that all device registrations-covering company details, GSMA Type Allocation Code-linked brand registration, device model registration, and IMEI certification for customs clearance-are completed only through the Device Setu-ICDR portal.

(KNN Bureau)

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