India has officially banned Hikvision, Dahua, and TP-Link CCTV cameras, especially those with internet connectivity. The brands that dominated one-third of India’s surveillance security market are now illegal to sell. These companies cannot sell their new stock in the country now. This move significantly affects the system integrators, distributors, and resellers that have been recommending these brands for decades now.
However, we have curated this blog to make things clear by revealing all about the Chinese CCTV ban, alternative certified CCTV brands, and what happens to existing camera systems.
STQC Mandate That Changed Everything and Ban on Chinese CCTV Brands
In April 2024, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued an ER or essential requirement for internet-connected CCTV cameras under the IS 13252-1 cybersecurity standard. The rule said that every internet-connected surveillance camera sold in India should have a security certification named STQC or Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification.
The government provided a two year window for all the brands to get their products analyzed and certified. The deadline ended on March 31, 2026, and from April 1, 2026 every brand that sells internet connected cameras in India must have a valid STQC certification.
What is STQC Certification and What Manufacturers Have to Do To Pass It?
STQC or Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification is a mandatory testing of the CCTV surveillance cameras of a brand from a legitimate Government lab.
Here’s what manufacturers have to do to pass the certification:
- First, declare the origin of the SoC or System-on-Chip, which is a crucial component of the camera working as a brain processing all major functions like network communication, video encoding, and more.
- Second, every camera must go under rigorous testing to make sure it does have cybersecurity threats like unauthorized remote access or a backdoor entry.
- Third, prove the integrity of firmware. The camera devices must have a secure boost mechanism to prevent any malicious software from installing.
- Fourth, surveillance devices must meet the electrical safety standards set by the government. The device must comply with IS 13252 and IEC 60950-1 which ensures that it is protected from threats like overheating and has protection from environmental conditions.
- Hikvision and Dahua CCTV Cameras were banned from using Chinese SoCs, about which the government was actively warning the companies not to use them.
List of Chinese CCTV Camera Brands That are Banned
| Chinese CCTV Camera Brand | Status / Restriction | Countries / Regions |
| Hikvision | Banned in government and critical infrastructure use due to security concerns | USA, UK, Australia, India |
| Dahua Technology | Banned in several government projects and surveillance networks | USA, UK, Australia, India |
| Huawei | Restrictions on telecom and surveillance equipment | USA, UK, Australia |
| Hytera Communications | Included in FCC Covered List restrictions | USA |
| ZTE | Restricted telecom and surveillance-related equipment | USA, UK |
Best STQC Certified CCTV Camera Brands in India for System Integrators
CP Plus- Best for All Projects
CP Plus, made by Aditya Infotech Ltd., is one of the reliable CCTV camera brands in India that has around 45 certified models. You can find this brand in almost every Indian household for its reliability and high performance devices. CP Plus took advantage of the 2 year time window and replaced their camera SoCs with Novatek (Taiwan) and Innofusion (Singapore) chipsets.
They offer a vast range of camera devices for the distributors and system integrators including PTZ cameras, bullet cameras, dome cameras, and more. They are the safest option right now to establish a large-scale surveillance zone in a property.
Prama- Ideal for Government Projects
Prama has the largest STQC certified CCTV camera model portfolio in India with number touching to 58. The brand is the first choice for every integrator and enterprise that provides surveillance solutions to the government. Prama is even available on Government e-Marketplace, which makes it a highly trusted brand.
Sparsh- Best as Made in India
Sparsh CCTV camera models, made by Samriddhi Automation Pvt. Ltd., are the very first made in India brand to get a STQC certification. The brand has around 43 STQC certified CCTV camera models for both small and large scale surveillance systems. From PTZ cameras to bullet and even smart dome cameras, they deliver everything.
Conclusion
Hikvision, Dahua, and other Chinese CCTV brands in India are banned and it has changed the CCTV market. All internet-connected CCTV cameras must have STQC certification to be legally sold in the country. The system integrators and distributors need to replace their models and get their products certified from the government approved labs. Brands like CP Plus, Prama, and Sparsh are becoming popular alternatives because they offer STQC-certified cameras for homes, businesses, and government projects.
