Hikvision and Dahua almost barred from selling in India as government refuses to certify made-in-China CCTVs, and what it means for Indian companies The Indian government’s refusal to certify Chinese-made CCTV systems from Hikvision and Dahua has sparked significant shifts in the security technology market, with far-reaching implications for both foreign and domestic players. This decision, which has effectively barred these two global leaders from operating in India, marks a pivotal moment in the country’s push for self-reliance in critical infrastructure and digital security. Analysts and industry insiders suggest that the move is part of a broader strategy to reduce dependency on foreign technology, particularly from China, and to bolster the capabilities of local manufacturers. The situation has been particularly challenging for Hikvision, once the dominant force in the Indian CCTV market. The company was denied certification for its massive factory, capable of producing two million cameras per month, which had been a cornerstone of its operations in the country. This setback forced Hikvision to pivot, exploring joint ventures with Indian partners to navigate the regulatory hurdles. Meanwhile, Dahua, which had previously held a significant market share, has seen its business contract by 80% in India. The company is now limited to selling analog cameras, a rapidly declining segment as the industry transitions to digital solutions. The shift away from Chinese suppliers has also created substantial cost pressures for brands operating in the Indian market. Analysts estimate that the bill of materials (BoM) for mid- and high-end CCTV systems has risen by 15–20%, primarily due to the higher costs of Taiwanese and U.S. chipsets compared to their Chinese counterparts.#india #make_in_india #hikvision #dahua #cctv
India Restricts Chinese CCTV Makers, Boosts Domestic Manufacturers India’s government has implemented new regulations that effectively ban the use of Chinese-made CCTV cameras, marking a significant shift in the country’s security technology market. Effective April 1, 2026, the legislation mandates that all CCTV systems must comply with stringent safety and origin disclosure requirements, directly impacting companies like Hikvision and Dahua. This move has created a vacuum in the market, allowing Indian manufacturers to expand their presence and reshape the industry’s dynamics. The regulations, introduced by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in April 2024, require manufacturers to disclose the origin of critical components such as the System-on-Chip (SoC) and undergo vulnerability checks to prevent unauthorized remote access. These norms also necessitate certification under the STQC (Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification) regime at accredited labs. As of February 2026, 507 CCTV camera models have been certified by the government, signaling a transition period that has lasted two years. Market data from Counterpoint Research reveals that Indian companies now dominate over 80% of the CCTV market, a stark contrast to the previous dominance of Chinese and global players. In 2024, Chinese firms held one-third of the market, while Indian vendors captured another third. Multinational brands like Bosch and Honeywell controlled the high-end segment, leaving the remaining 20% to smaller traders. However, the new rules have forced Chinese manufacturers to either alter their supply chains or exit the market entirely. Anup Nair, director of strategy and operations at Aditya Infotech (which owns the CP Plus brand), highlighted the challenges faced by Chinese firms.#india #china #meity #hikvision #dahua
