Planning to buy a CCTV camera? India is banning some Chinese companies starting April 1. Here's what you should know

The Indian government will enforce a total ban on the sale of non-certified internet-connected CCTV cameras from Chinese manufacturers starting April 1, marking the end of a two-year transition period for the surveillance industry. Industry executives reported to ET Bureau that authorities are explicitly refusing to certify hardware that utilizes Chinese-origin chipsets or firmware, effectively locking major global players out of the world’s fastest-growing security market. This regulatory intervention has already triggered a massive realignment in supply chains, with domestic vendors surging to control 80% of the market share as of February 2026, while established Chinese brands are forced into liquidation or restrictive joint ventures to maintain a marginal presence.

Which Chinese companies are being shut down?

The primary targets of the new certification rules are global surveillance leaders Hikvision and Dahua, which collectively held one-third of the Indian market until 2024. Anup Nair, director of strategy and operations at Aditya Infotech, told ET Bureau that a massive factory capable of producing two million Hikvision cameras monthly was denied certification for manufacturing Chinese-origin products. While Hikvision has attempted to survive through a joint venture with an Indian firm, Dahua’s business has contracted by 80%, with the brand now restricted to selling obsolete analog cameras. Additionally, smartphone brands including Xiaomi and Realme have entirely exited the smart home camera segment after failing to meet the STQC regime requirements.

What happens to consumers using these brands?

Current owners of internet-connected cameras from these brands may face significant long-term challenges regarding software updates and cybersecurity. The MeitY norms specifically target vulnerabilities that allow unauthorized remote access. While existing cameras will not be physically seized, the refusal of the government to certify these models means that new stock will vanish from retail shelves, and official technical support may dwindle as these companies exit the market. Furthermore, Varun Gupta, an analyst at Counterpoint Research, noted that smaller traders who failed to secure certification have already vanished, leaving consumers with limited recourse for hardware repairs or warranty claims for non-compliant devices.

Will CCTV prices increase for new buyers?

The shift away from low-cost Chinese components has already resulted in a 15-20% jump in the bill of materials (BoM) for manufacturers. Industry executives explained to ET Bureau that the price differential between Chinese chipsets and non-Chinese counterparts from Taiwan and the US is substantial, leading to a sharp rise in costs for mid and high-end surveillance systems. While dominant domestic players have managed to keep entry-level prices relatively stable by localizing minor components, the overall market is under additional pressure due to global supply shortages in memory and processors.