India to enforce stricter CCTV regulations from April 2025

India will implement new compliance regulations for CCTV manufacturing starting April 9, 2025, requiring strict adherence to cybersecurity, safety, and quality standards, industry executives told asmag.com.
 
The rules, introduced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), mandate that all CCTV cameras meet Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) safety requirements and undergo Essential Requirements (ER) testing by Standardization Testing and Quality Certification (STQC).

New compliance requirements

The new standards address security vulnerabilities in CCTV systems while promoting domestic manufacturing under India’s Public Procurement Order (PPO).
 
“The Indian government has recently introduced stringent regulations to enhance the security and quality of CCTV systems nationwide through the Public Procurement Order (PPO) issued by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY),” said Sanjeev Sehgal, Managing Director of Sparsh CCTV.
 
“These measures aim to address vulnerabilities in existing surveillance infrastructures and promote domestic manufacturing. The new certification ensures compliance with safety and cybersecurity standards, referencing OWASP 4.0, Level 2, and the Trusted Supply Chain framework to enhance the reliability of surveillance equipment. It includes assessments of physical security, access control, network encryption, data integrity, and penetration testing to safeguard against cyber threats.”
 
Under the new framework, all existing BIS certificates will become non-functional from April 9, 2025, requiring CCTV cameras to be retested and certified under the updated standards. “Since CCTV cameras fall under the Compulsory Requirement Order (CRO) of MeitY, a new BIS certificate will be mandatory for selling any CCTV camera in India,” Sehgal added.

Regulatory enforcement and penalties

According to the regulations, non-compliant CCTV models will be removed from the BIS license scope, prohibiting them from being sold in the Indian market.
 
“If they don’t, non-compliant models will be excluded from licensing, and licenses could be revoked,” said Pramoud Rao, Managing Director of Zicon. “For now, there are no monetary penalties, but that could change in the future. Let’s embrace this opportunity for improvement.”
 
To ensure enforcement, BIS and MeitY will conduct regular market surveillance. “Continued non-compliance may result in the cancellation of the manufacturer's BIS license, preventing them from producing or selling CCTV cameras in India,” said Sehgal.

Challenges in testing infrastructure

Industry leaders acknowledge a shortage of accredited testing laboratories, which could delay compliance.
 
“While there aren't many qualified labs yet, more are working to establish themselves,” said Rao. “As this field develops, I look forward to seeing progress and growth. It’s an exciting time for innovation!”
 
Under the new rules, STQC has been exclusively mandated for ER testing, while BIS-approved laboratories will conduct safety testing. Manufacturers will be required to work with these designated labs to secure compliance before April 2025.

Industry’s shift toward local manufacturing

The regulations align with India’s Make in India initiative, which has accelerated local CCTV production.
 
“From the very beginning of the electronic security category, we’ve embraced international partnerships, initially sourcing from Korea, Taiwan, and China,” said Rao. “However, when the Indian government launched the Made in India initiative, it sparked a significant shift toward local manufacturing. Companies like Sparsh, Hikvision, CP Plus, and Trueview enthusiastically took the lead in localizing production.”
 
According to Rao, this shift has standardized product quality and elevated customer experience. “By focusing on excellence in manufacturing, we are all set to enjoy a future filled with innovation and growth, benefiting both consumers and the industry at large!”

Security implications and industry adaptation 

Security experts say that the updated regulations will raise security standards across India’s surveillance industry.
 
“When it comes to CCTV as an industry, we generally try to keep up with evolving security standards,” said Rajiv Mathur, a security consultant.

Alignment with global standards

India’s new CCTV security requirements align with international norms but also introduce country-specific elements to address cybersecurity and supply chain risks.
 
“Most CCTV compliance standards are global. Key variables include power supply, climate conditions, affordability, and cybersecurity regulations,” said Rao.
 
Sehgal pointed out that the STQC-ER Certification mandates cybersecurity measures, including secure boot, encrypted storage, and network authentication - aligning with: ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security Management), OWASP 4.0 Level 2, NIST Cybersecurity Framework.
 
However, the new regulations go beyond international standards by requiring mandatory government testing and certification.
 
“Unlike many global standards that focus primarily on cybersecurity and functionality, India’s new norms include a geopolitical lens, restricting surveillance hardware from certain foreign entities,” Sehgal explained.

Stakeholder consultation and industry adaptation 

The MeitY engaged with industry stakeholders for over two years to develop the new standards.
 
“A transparent and inclusive process was utilized, with valued experts from our manufacturing industry on the technical committee, ensuring that every perspective was considered before reaching the final decision,” said Rao.
 
To help manufacturers adapt, the government extended the compliance deadline from October 2024 to April 2025.

Looking ahead 

With BIS and MeitY set to monitor market compliance, manufacturers are working to ensure their CCTV products meet the new security benchmarks before the April 2025 deadline.
 
“By focusing on excellence in manufacturing, we are all set to enjoy a future filled with innovation and growth, benefiting both consumers and the industry at large,” Rao said.