Hikvision and Dahua Are Banned in India from April 2026.

Here’s What to Buy Instead

By AlifTech Secure  |  CCTV & Surveillance Solutions, Indore  |  May 2026  |  www.aliftechsecure.in

From April 1, 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology — MeitY — enforced its Essential Requirements mandate for all internet-connected CCTV cameras sold in India. Cameras that do not carry STQC certification or BIS ER-01 approval cannot be legally sold as new products. Hikvision and Dahua, the two largest Chinese surveillance brands in the world, failed to get their cameras certified under this system. As a result, dealers across India can no longer stock or sell new units from these brands.

If you own Hikvision or Dahua cameras already, you do not need to remove them — the ban covers new sales, not installed systems. However, if you plan to buy cameras, replace existing ones, or expand your system, you need to know which brands pass the test. This guide explains what happened, why it matters, and which certified alternatives actually work well in Indian homes, offices, and factories.

Why the Government Banned Hikvision and Dahua in India

This did not happen overnight. MeitY introduced the Essential Requirements framework back in April 2024 and gave manufacturers two full years to comply. The deadline reached on April 1, 2026 — and both Hikvision and Dahua missed it.

Here is what the certification actually requires. Every manufacturer must declare the origin of critical components — specifically the System-on-Chip and firmware. The camera must then pass lab testing at one of the government-approved STQC facilities, checking for security weaknesses that could allow someone to access the camera feed remotely without permission. Only models that pass this testing receive an STQC certificate. Without it, the camera cannot be sold legally in India.

The concern driving all of this is data security. Hikvision and Dahua cameras run on Chinese chipsets with Chinese firmware. Security researchers in multiple countries have documented instances of these cameras sending data to servers outside the user’s control. The US, UK, and Australia already banned Hikvision and Dahua from government deployments years earlier. India’s move in 2026 brings the country in line with that position — extended to cover the entire retail and commercial market, not just government procurement.

Hikvision did manage to get a small number of models certified through its Indian subsidiary Prama Hikvision, but those are Prama-branded models — not Hikvision-branded ones. If a dealer tells you a particular Hikvision model carries STQC certification, ask for the certificate number and verify it yourself on the STQC portal at stqc.gov.in [OUTBOUND LINK]. Dahua has zero certified models on the portal as of May 2026.

What This Means If You Currently Own Hikvision or Dahua Cameras

Let’s address the most common questions directly.

Your existing cameras keep working

The April 2026 ban covers new sales, not installed systems. Therefore, if you already have Hikvision or Dahua cameras on your walls, you do not need to rip them out. They continue recording, and your existing NVR continues storing footage. However, there are some practical things to keep in mind going forward.

Software updates may stop

Hikvision and Dahua can no longer officially operate in the Indian market. As a result, firmware updates and security patches for Indian users may become irregular or stop entirely. This matters because IP cameras without current firmware carry genuine security risks — a camera with known weaknesses and no patch is a potential entry point into your network. If you run a business with sensitive data, that risk grows over time.

Expansion and replacement will need certified alternatives

If you want to add more cameras to your existing system, or replace a unit that stops working, the new camera must be STQC certified. Furthermore, if you plan to replace your NVR or DVR, the new recorder must work with certified cameras. In practice, this means the transition to certified alternatives begins the next time you expand or replace any part of your system.

Insurance and legal exposure

Some commercial property insurers now ask about camera certification as part of policy underwriting. Similarly, if a security incident occurs and your system uses non-certified cameras with known weaknesses, you may face questions about due diligence in an insurance claim. The safest approach is to plan a phased transition to certified alternatives at your next system refresh.

Hikvision and Dahua Alternatives: Which Brands to Buy in 2026

As of May 2026, the STQC portal lists 196 certified camera models across seven brands. Here is an honest assessment of each one — what they do well and where they fit.

CP Plus — 45 certified models, India’s largest CCTV brand

CP Plus is the most widely known Indian surveillance brand and the easiest transition for anyone moving away from Hikvision or Dahua. The company uses Taiwanese chipsets, carries 45 STQC-certified models covering everything from basic 2MP dome cameras to 4K PTZ units, and maintains a large dealer and service network across India. In Indore specifically, CP Plus dealers are well established and spare parts are readily available. For homes, shops, offices, and smaller factories, CP Plus covers most use cases at competitive price points.

Prama — 58 certified models, enterprise-grade

Prama is the Indian manufacturing entity that grew out of the Hikvision relationship in India. Importantly, Prama products carry their own STQC certification under the Prama brand — these are not the same as Hikvision-branded models. With 58 certified models, Prama currently holds the largest certified catalogue of any single brand in India. The product range skews toward commercial and enterprise use — IP cameras, analytics-enabled units, and high-resolution models for large facilities. For Pithampur factories and institutional deployments, Prama is a strong choice.

Sparsh — 43 certified models, early mover advantage

Sparsh, manufactured by Samriddhi Automation in Haridwar, was one of the first brands to push publicly for STQC certification. The company built its product line specifically around the Indian compliance framework. Furthermore, Sparsh has a strong presence in government and public sector projects — which means its products face rigorous procurement scrutiny. For businesses that need verified compliance documentation quickly, Sparsh is a reliable option.

Matrix — 36 certified models, strong on analytics

Matrix is a Gujarat-based Indian brand with 36 certified models and a particular strength in AI-based camera features — number plate recognition, face detection, crowd density monitoring, and vehicle analytics. For larger commercial setups, logistics operations, or any deployment where cameras need to do more than just record footage, Matrix offers capable hardware with good local support. In addition, Matrix integrates well with its own access control and intercom product lines, which makes it useful for complete building security deployments.

HiFocus — BIS ER-01 certified, wide AI feature range

HiFocus positions itself as India’s most technically advanced certified brand in 2026. The product range includes AI cameras, 4G cameras, solar-powered cameras, and enterprise NVR systems — a broader range than most Indian brands currently offer. For deployments in remote locations, construction sites, or facilities without reliable power or network infrastructure, HiFocus’s 4G and solar models solve problems that other brands do not directly address.

Honeywell — 9 certified models, premium international option

Honeywell holds 9 STQC-certified camera models and occupies the premium international segment. The brand suits large institutional deployments — hospitals, corporate campuses, government facilities — where the procurement process demands a globally recognised name alongside Indian compliance. However, the limited model count and higher price points make Honeywell less relevant for typical SME purchases.

How to Check If a Camera Is STQC Certified Before You Buy

This step matters because some dealers still try to sell old Hikvision and Dahua stock, claiming it is certified. Do not rely on verbal assurances. The verification takes two minutes and gives you a definite answer.

Step 1 — Ask for the certificate number

Every certified camera model carries an STQC certificate number. Ask the dealer to provide it before you pay for anything. A dealer who cannot produce a certificate number for the specific model they want to sell you is a dealer to walk away from.

Step 2 — Verify on the STQC portal

Go to stqc.gov.in [OUTBOUND LINK → stqc.gov.in] and search for the certificate number. The portal lists every certified model with the issuing lab, certificate date, and validity period. If the model does not appear on the portal, it does not have valid certification — regardless of what anyone tells you.

Step 3 — Check the model number specifically

This is important: STQC certifies individual camera models, not entire brands. Therefore, a brand having some certified models does not mean every model that brand sells is certified. Always verify the exact model number, not just the brand name. A CP Plus camera listed as model IPC-TVC2600L4-D may be certified while a different CP Plus model is not. Check each model separately.

Will Certified Cameras Cost More Than Hikvision and Dahua Did?

Yes — and it is worth understanding why, rather than just accepting it.

Hikvision and Dahua cameras were priced aggressively in India for years. A large part of that pricing came from Chinese government subsidies to the domestic surveillance industry, combined with Chinese-origin chipsets that carried no compliance testing costs. As a result, many Indian buyers got used to very low camera prices that did not reflect the actual cost of producing secure, tested hardware.

Certified alternatives use Taiwanese or Indian chipsets, go through STQC lab testing at government-approved facilities, and carry genuine warranty support. All of that adds cost. In practice, most buyers are seeing a 15 to 20 percent price increase on mid-range cameras compared to what Hikvision and Dahua cost before the ban. At the entry level, the gap is smaller because CP Plus and Sparsh compete aggressively. At the high end, the gap is larger because there is no longer a subsidised Chinese option pulling prices down.

However, that price increase buys something real. A certified camera with a known chipset, tested firmware, and an active local warranty channel carries significantly less long-term risk than a cheap camera with an opaque software supply chain. For a business putting cameras in a factory or a commercial building, that difference matters.

What This Means for Businesses in Indore and Pithampur Specifically

Indore has a large base of Hikvision and Dahua installations — across factories in Pithampur, commercial buildings in Palasia and Vijay Nagar, hospitals, and residential complexes. Most of those existing systems will keep running. However, the ecosystem around them is changing.

Dealers who previously carried Hikvision and Dahua as their main lines have had to shift. As a result, some still have old stock they are trying to move. Others have transitioned to CP Plus, Prama, or Matrix as their primary product range. When you buy cameras in Indore today, ask explicitly whether the model carries STQC certification and ask to see the certificate number.

For new installations — whether a new factory unit in Pithampur or a commercial office in the city — starting with a certified system from the beginning is clearly the right approach. It avoids the transition problem entirely, gives you full warranty support, and keeps you clear of any future enforcement actions on non-compliant hardware.

For existing Hikvision and Dahua systems, the practical approach is to plan a phased replacement over the next one to three years — as individual cameras age out or when you expand coverage, replace them with certified models. There is no rush to do everything at once, but every new camera you add from this point should carry STQC certification.

Why Indore Businesses Buy Certified CCTV from AlifTech Secure

We made the shift to certified-only stock before the April 2026 deadline. Every camera we sell and install — CP Plus, Prama, Matrix, HiFocus — carries valid STQC or BIS ER-01 certification. We keep the certificate documentation on file and provide it with every installation.

We have installed CCTV systems across factories in Pithampur, commercial offices in Palasia, Vijay Nagar, and MG Road, hospitals, schools, and apartment complexes across Indore. When someone comes to us with an existing Hikvision or Dahua system and asks what to do next, we give them a straightforward transition plan — not a hard sell to replace everything at once.

Every installation starts with a free site survey. We walk the location, assess coverage needs and lighting conditions, and recommend certified cameras suited to the specific environment — not a generic package. We also handle the full installation including cable management, NVR setup, remote access configuration, and post-installation documentation.

• CP Plus, Prama, Matrix, HiFocus — fully STQC and BIS ER-01 certified stock
• Certificate documentation provided with every installation
• Free site survey before any quote — Indore and Pithampur
• Transition planning for existing Hikvision / Dahua systems
• Full installation including NVR setup and remote access
• AMC for ongoing camera maintenance and firmware updates

Questions People Ask About the Hikvision and Dahua Ban

Can I still use my existing Hikvision or Dahua cameras?

Yes. The April 2026 ban covers new sales only. Your existing installed cameras continue to work normally. However, keep in mind that firmware updates may become less regular going forward, and when you replace or expand your system, new cameras must carry STQC certification.

Are there any Hikvision cameras that are still legal to buy in India?

Hikvision itself has zero STQC-certified camera models on the government portal as of May 2026. However, Prama — which operates as a separate Indian entity related to Hikvision — holds 58 STQC-certified models under the Prama brand. Prama-branded cameras are legal to buy. Hikvision-branded cameras are not. If a dealer tries to sell you a Hikvision-branded camera and claims it is certified, verify the certificate number on stqc.gov.in before paying.

How much more expensive are certified cameras compared to Hikvision?

In practice, most buyers see a 15 to 20 percent price increase on mid-range cameras. At the entry level, the gap is smaller because Indian brands like CP Plus and Sparsh compete aggressively. At the premium end, the gap is larger because the subsidised Chinese pricing that kept Hikvision and Dahua cheap no longer applies. For most home and small business users, the difference in monthly cost over the life of the system is modest.

Will the ban affect my CCTV system’s warranty or support?

For existing Hikvision and Dahua systems, warranty and support terms depend on what was in place when you purchased. Going forward, Hikvision and Dahua cannot officially support sales in India — which means warranty claims on new purchases from uncertified dealers carry significant uncertainty. Certified brands like CP Plus, Prama, and Matrix all maintain active Indian operations with local service infrastructure.

How do I know if a camera is STQC certified before buying?

Ask the dealer for the STQC certificate number for the specific model. Then check that number on the STQC government portal at stqc.gov.in. The portal lists every certified model with the certificate date and validity period. If the model does not appear on the portal, it does not carry valid certification. Always verify the exact model number — not just the brand name, because certification applies at model level, not brand level.

In Short

For buyers, the path forward is clear. Verified certified brands — CP Plus, Prama, Sparsh, Matrix, HiFocus — cover every use case that Hikvision and Dahua previously addressed, at slightly higher prices but with genuine compliance, active local support, and no legal risk. The 15 to 20 percent price increase buys something that a subsidised Chinese camera never provided: certainty about what the firmware does and who has access to the feed.

If you are buying cameras in Indore today, start with a STQC certificate check. If you have an existing Hikvision or Dahua system, plan your transition. And if you are not sure where to begin, a site survey is the fastest way to get a clear picture of your options.

• Hikvision and Dahua: banned from new sales in India from April 1, 2026 — no STQC certification
• Certified alternatives: CP Plus (45 models), Prama (58), Sparsh (43), Matrix (36), HiFocus (BIS ER-01)
• Existing systems: keep working, but plan a phased transition as cameras age out
• Verification: always check certificate number on stqc.gov.in before buying
• Price increase: 15 to 20 percent on mid-range cameras — reflects real compliance and testing costs

AlifTech Secure  |  CCTV & Surveillance Solutions, Indore MP  |  www.aliftechsecure.in  |  +91 9109106826