KNOW YOUR MOBILE CONNECTIONS (TAFCOP)
33,62,881
requests received
26,16,082
requests resolved
About Sanchar Saathi
Sanchar Saathi portal is a citizen centric initiative of Department of Telecommunications to empower mobile subscribers, strengthen their security and increase awareness about citizen centric initiatives of the Government. Sanchar Saathi empowers citizens by allowing them to know the mobile connections issued in their name, get disconnected the connections not required by them, block/trace lost mobile phones and check genuineness of devices while buying a new/old mobile phone. Sanchar Saathi contains various modules like CEIR, TAFCOP etc.
In addition, Keep Yourself Aware facility provides latest updates and awareness material on different aspects related to end user security, telecom and information security.
CEIR module facilitates tracing of the lost/stolen mobile devices. This also facilitates
blocking of lost/stolen mobile devices in network of all telecom operators so that lost/stolen
devices cannot be used in India. If anyone tries to use the blocked mobile phone, its traceability
is generated. Once mobile phone is found it may be unblocked on the portal for its normal use by
the citizens.
TAFCOP module facilitates a mobile subscriber to check the number of mobile connections
taken in his/her name. It also facilitates to report the mobile connection(s) which are
either not required or not taken by the subscriber.
Citizen Centric Services
Keep yourself aware
Frequently Asked Questions
Sanchar Saathi portal is a citizen centric initiative of Department of Telecommunications
to empower mobile subscribers, strengthen their security and increase awareness about
citizen centric initiatives of the Government. Sanchar Saathi empowers citizens by allowing
them to know the mobile connections issued in their name, get disconnected the connections
not required by them, block/trace lost mobile phones and check genuineness of devices
while buying a new/old mobile phone.
Sanchar Saathi contains various modules like CEIR, TAFCOP etc.
CEIR module facilitates tracing of the lost/stolen mobile devices. This also facilitates
blocking of lost/stolen mobile devices in network of all telecom operators so that lost/stolen
devices cannot be used in India. If anyone tries to use the blocked mobile phone, its traceability
is generated. Once mobile phone is found it may be unblocked on the portal for its normal use by
the citizens.
TAFCOP module facilitates a mobile subscriber to check the number of mobile connections
taken in his/her name. It also facilitates to report the mobile connection(s) which are
either not required or not taken by the subscriber.
The IMEI uniquely identifies an individual mobile device. The IMEI is unique to every Mobile
Equipment [“ME”] and thereby provides a means for controlling access to GSM networks based
on ME Model or individual units. The IMEI consists of a number of fields totaling 15 digits
having digits from 0 to 9. The first eight digits are called Type Approval Code (TAC).
The GSMA is the allocation authority for IMEI number which is allocated by authorised
reporting bodies that allocates the TAC number to manufacturer, brand owners etc. Mobile
phone manufacturers assign IMEI numbers to each device based on TAC number allotted to them
by the Reporting bodies appointed by Global System for Mobile Communications Association
(GSMA). Dual SIM phones will have two IMEI numbers.
User can dial *#06# in their device to check the IMEI number allotted to the mobile devices.
User can verify their IMEI details by sending SMS “KYM<15 digit IMEI number>” to 14422.
IMEI verification message provides information about the manufacturer, device
type, brand name, and model number.
Mobile Phones with all Nulls or Zeros or invalid IMEI numbers are not allowed to work
on Telecom Network.
Mobile Manufacturer/Brand Owner is required to implant genuine IMEI number as allocated
by reporting bodies of GSMA in mobile devices at the time of manufacturing.
An Equipment Identity Register [“EIR”] is a network entity used in GSM networks that stores
lists of IMEI numbers, which correspond to physical handsets and not to subscribers. Every mobile
network in India has an EIR. The mobile network operator’s primary tool used to prevent the connection
and use of stolen or counterfeited devices is the Equipment Identity Register (EIR), which contains a
domestic blacklist and the sharing and consolidation of blacklists from multiple operators from various
jurisdictions via the GSMA’s IMEI Database. These capabilities are used to block devices from receiving
service based on the IMEI transmitted by the device to the mobile network.
A Central Equipment Identity Register [“CEIR”] is a centralised database of mobile equipment identifiers
(i.e. IMEI for networks of GSM standard). Such an identifier is assigned to each SIM slot of the mobile
device. Such a CEIR may include the following lists:
The CEIR acts as a central system for all network operators connected to their EIRs to share blacklisted mobile devices so that devices blacklisted in one network will not work on other networks even if the SIM card in the device is changed.
- White list for devices that are allowed to register in a cellular network,
- Black list for devices that are prohibited registration in a cellular network, and
- Grey for devices in intermediate status (i.e. when it is not yet defined whether the device should be placed in the white list or the blacklist).
The CEIR acts as a central system for all network operators connected to their EIRs to share blacklisted mobile devices so that devices blacklisted in one network will not work on other networks even if the SIM card in the device is changed.
The CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) is a centralized system implemented to
manage and track mobile devices using their International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI)
numbers. It will help in combating mobile device theft and misuse.
As per 3GPP TS 22.016 version 15.0.0 Release 15The IMEI shall be unique and shall not be changed
after the ME’s final production process. Over the past few years technology has become more secure
& Brand owners are doing best-case efforts to deliver fool proof devices to customers.
It shall be unlawful, if a person except the manufacturer:
- Intentionally removes, obliterates, change or alter unique Mobile Device Equipment Identification number; or
- Intentionally use, produce, traffic in, have control or custody of, or possess hardware or software knowing it has been configured as above.
Consumer are advised to purchase the device from authorized sources, verify the IMEI as per
the process outlined above, keep his devices secure with strong passwords or biometric
authentication, use only authorized service center for repairs. Repairs at unauthorized
repair center may lead to malicious activity with the mobile handset including tempering of
IMEI. In such cases or when handset is lost\stolen, the consumer should immediately notify the
Law enforcement agencies.
The user should block the IMEI of their phone if it has been lost/stolen.
The user can block the phone's IMEI by any one of the following means:
- Through a form submitted on this website. The procedure to do it is as follows: -
- File a report with the police, and keep a copy of the report.
- Get a duplicate SIM Card for the lost number from your telecom service provider (eg, Airtel, Jio, Voda/Idea, BSNL, MTNL etc.). This is essential because you will need to provide this as the primary mobile number (OTP will be sent on this number) while submitting the request for blocking your IMEI.
Note: As per TRAI's regulation, SMS facility on re-issued SIMs is enabled after 24 hours of SIM activation. - Get your documents ready - a copy of police report and an Identity Proof must be provided. You can also provide the mobile purchase invoice.
- Fill out the request registration form for blocking the IMEI of lost/stolen phone, and attach the required documents. Click here to go to the form.
- After submitting the form, you will be given a Request ID. The same can be used for checking the status of your request and for unblocking the IMEI in future.
- Through State Police.
After the successful submission of blocking request, the user's phone is blocked within 24 hours. After the phone
has been blocked, it cannot be used on any network across India.
Note: This does not prevent the police from tracking the lost/stolen phone.
Note: This does not prevent the police from tracking the lost/stolen phone.
The user should unblock the IMEI of their phone only if it has been found and is in possession of the user.
To unblock a lost/stolen phone's IMEI, the user has to report to local Police that it is found.
After that user can unblock the phone by any one of the following means:
- Through a form submitted on this website. The procedure to do it is as follows: -
- Fill out the request registration form for unblocking the IMEI of found phone. Click here to go to the form.
- After submitting the form, the IMEI will be unblocked.
To register a complaint, follow the given procedures: -
- Fill out the Complaint Registration Form. Click here to go to the form.
- After submitting the form, a unique Complaint ID will be generated.
- The form details will be mailed to your given mail ID as well.
- Save the Complaint ID and Registered Mobile Number for further use.
To check the complaint status, follow the given procedures: -
- Fill the Complaint ID and registered mobile number in the Complaint Status Form. Click here to go to the form.
- A 6-digit OTP will be sent to registered mobile number. Confirm the OTP received.
- Submit the form and the Complaint Details will be available to you.
An individual subscriber can acquire maximum 9 mobile connections in total from all the
Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) in India. This restriction is 6 for subscribers in J&K,
Assam and North Eastern states.
Following steps are to be taken:-
- Visit Sanchar Saathi portal.
- Login into the portal by using the OTP received on the mobile number.
- Go through the mobile connections and check the option ‘This is not my number’ or ‘Not required’ against the mobile connection(s) to be reported.
- Click the ‘Report’ button to submit the request.
The mobile connections reported as 'This is not my number' or 'Not Required' are flagged for
re-verification by the service provider.
Re-verification is the process of confirming the identity of the existing subscriber with
the records available with the service provider. This may be done by using any of the digital
methods available. The photograph of subscriber and his/her Proof of Identity (PoI) document
is compared with the existing records to ascertain the identity of actual user. It is not
necessary that the subscriber requires to submit the same PoI document as submitted while
obtaining the mobile connection. Any specified PoI document can be submitted. The verification
shall be for the identity of the subscriber.
Timelines for various activities for the mobile SIMs which are flagged for re-verification are as under:-
- Outgoing services shall be suspended within 30 days.
- Incoming services shall be suspended within 45 days.
- Disconnection of mobile connection which failed in re-verification within 60 days.
Such mobile connections are disconnected by the respective service provider.
Mobile connection is non-transferable. The change in name between the blood relatives/legal
heirs is permitted subject to no objection from the existing subscriber and submission of
new Customer Acquisition Form (CAF) and following the procedure of registering new subscriber.
A new SIM Card is issued in such cases. For this process the service provider can be
contacted by the subscriber.
No, the MNP shall be initiated after its re-verification is completed.
Mobile connection(s) activated chronologically which are more than the prescribed limit will be disconnected by the Service Provider.
In such cases police complaint/FIR shall be lodged against such subscriber.
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