1. Home
  2. Current Affairs
  3. Current News
  4. Mandatory IMEI Registration

Mandatory IMEI Registration

  • 18 Nov 2025

On 17th November 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a strong advisory to manufacturers, brand owners, importers and resellers of telecom equipment, reminding them of mandatory IMEI registration requirements and warning of severe penalties for IMEI tampering under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024.

Key Points

  • Importance of IMEI Regulation: DoT emphasised that proper IMEI management is essential to safeguard telecom networks, prevent counterfeit devices and strengthen India’s digital security architecture.
  • Devices Covered Under Rules: Any telecom device with an IMEI — including mobile phones, tablets, modems, dongles, SIM Boxes and modules — must strictly comply with registration protocols.
  • Legal Penalties under Section 42: Tampering with IMEI numbers or possessing devices with knowingly altered identifiers is a cognizable, non-bailable offence punishable with up to three years’ imprisonment, fines up to ₹50 lakh, or both.
  • Mandatory Registration Requirements: The Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024 mandate IMEI registration by manufacturers before sale, testing or research use.
  • IMEI Blacklist and Second-Hand Market Compliance: The government maintains a central repository of blacklisted/tampered IMEIs. Entities handling second-hand devices must verify IMEIs through the national database before any transaction.