The Department of Telecommunications has announced that its Sanchar Saathi platform recovered over 75,000 lost and stolen mobile handsets in a single month across India for the first time since its launch. Union Minister of Communications Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia praised the achievement, which resulted from coordination between the DoT, telecom service providers, and police departments across states and union territories. The milestone reflects growing citizen use of the technology-driven system.
How Sanchar Saathi Works and Recent Improvements
Citizens can report lost or stolen phones through the Sanchar Saathi web portal at www.sancharsaathi.gov.in or through mobile apps available on Android and iOS. Once reported, the device is blocked across the Indian telecom network to prevent misuse. The system generates automatic alerts whenever someone attempts to use the handset, notifying both the citizen and the relevant police station.
Recent enhancements have made recovery more efficient. Police stations now receive the name of their station in traceability reports sent to citizens via SMS and email. When a SIM card is inserted into a lost or stolen handset, those details are made available to police authorities along with any alternate phone numbers associated with the device. Additionally, citizens are advised to factory reset recovered handsets to protect against suspected malware.
The DoT’s Digital Intelligence Unit and its field units, known as Local Service Areas, work alongside police personnel across states and union territories to trace devices and return them to owners. The recovery rate has grown significantly, increasing by 201 percent from April 2025 to July 2026.
What This Means for You
If your phone goes missing, you now have a swift way to track it and recover it with police assistance rather than losing it permanently. The blocking mechanism prevents thieves from using your handset on Indian networks, reducing the value of stealing phones. For those who find or purchase second-hand devices, the system helps ensure stolen handsets can be identified and returned to rightful owners. This initiative aligns with the government’s broader Digital India vision of using technology to protect citizens’ digital assets.