What's IMEI, Why Is It Central To The Sanchar Saathi Row, And How Does It Help Track Handsets?

India’s telecom ministry has recently asked smartphone makers to preload all new devices with a government-run cyber security app that cannot be removed. The order, issued quietly, has already stirred debate among technology companies and privacy groups. 

The move comes at a time when authorities are looking for stronger tools to curb cyber crime, fraud, and the use of stolen mobiles. It has also brought the spotlight back to the Sanchar Saathi system and the central role played by the IMEI number.

What exactly is an IMEI?

IMEI stands for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It is a unique 15-digit number given to almost every mobile phone manufactured anywhere in the world. This number acts like a digital fingerprint and stays with the device for its entire life,

even if the user changes SIM cards. It appears on the phone box, invoice, and can be viewed on the device itself by dialling *#06#.

Because the IMEI identifies the handset rather than the subscriber, it offers a reliable way to track, verify, or block a mobile device without depending on which user or SIM is inserted. This makes IMEI essential to any system that aims to control the use of stolen or cloned phones.

Why is IMEI central to Sanchar Saathi?

Sanchar Saathi, created by the Department of Telecommunications, is a platform that helps people report lost or stolen phones, check if a handset is genuine, and flag fraud. It works closely with the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), which stores IMEI numbers of all devices active in India.

When someone loses a phone, they file a police complaint and submit the IMEI through Sanchar Saathi. Once verified, the IMEI is placed on a blacklist. A blacklisted device cannot connect to any Indian telecom network, making it largely useless to thieves. If the stolen phone is switched on, telecom operators can detect the IMEI and help trace it.

This system reduces the resale value of stolen handsets and acts as a deterrent against phone theft.

How IMEI tracks work?

Each handset is logged in the CEIR when it first connects to a mobile network. If the owner reports a theft, authorities block the IMEI nationwide. Even if a new SIM is inserted, the phone cannot make calls, send messages, or use mobile data. If the device attempts to connect, the network can detect its IMEI and alert law-enforcement agencies. This makes IMEI the backbone of India’s tracking and blocking system.

Why the IMEI debate is growing?

The controversy arises because IMEI-based systems give the government wide control over which devices can operate in the country. Privacy advocates worry that an undeletable state-run app, tied to a national IMEI database, could open the door to surveillance. There are also concerns about IMEI tampering, where criminals assign fake numbers to bypass detection.

As rules tighten and the government pushes the mandatory installation of Sanchar Saathi, the debate around balancing security and privacy is only likely to intensify.