India Moves to Bar Chinese CCTV Sales in Security Shift
India is set to block Chinese internet-connected CCTV products from April 1 under tighter certification and security rules, a move that could disrupt supply patterns while accelerating the shift toward domestic and trusted-source vendors.
India will begin restricting Chinese-origin internet-connected CCTV cameras and other video surveillance products from April 1, in a move tied to national security concerns and new certification requirements, according to Business Standard. The report said companies such as Hikvision and Dahua will be affected as the new rules take effect.
The policy stems from security and certification requirements that require surveillance equipment to be cleared before it can be sold in the Indian market. Under the framework, manufacturers must disclose the country of origin of key components such as the system-on-chip, while devices must also be tested for vulnerabilities that could enable unauthorized remote access. Business Standard reported that the rules follow Essential Requirements norms introduced in April 2024, with the industry given a two-year transition period under the government’s STQC regime.
The move is significant because video surveillance systems are increasingly treated as part of critical infrastructure, especially where they monitor airports, transport hubs, government facilities and other sensitive environments. Business Standard noted that official concerns include the risk of data leakage, unauthorized remote access and potential foreign influence over strategic surveillance networks.
The market implications could be substantial. Business Standard cited Mordor Intelligence as estimating India’s video surveillance market at around $5 billion to $7.5 billion, and noted that Chinese brands had historically held a large share of the sector due to aggressive pricing and broad distribution. The report added that Indian vendors now control more than 80 percent of the market as of February 2026, with domestic brands gaining ground by shifting supply chains and developing localized firmware.
In the near term, the changes may lead to supply disruption and some pricing pressure, but the broader direction appears clear: India is deepening its trusted-vendor approach to digital and security infrastructure. Business Standard said the latest CCTV restrictions fit into a wider policy pattern that has already seen India curb Chinese technology exposure in other strategic sectors, including telecom and mobile applications.
For the surveillance industry, the development highlights a growing global trend in which procurement decisions are being shaped not only by cost and performance, but also by cyber risk, supply-chain trust and national resilience. This article is based on reporting by Business Standard.
