Key Points
- Sanchar Saathi recovered over 75,000 lost or stolen mobile handsets in a single month for the first time
- Monthly handset recoveries rose 201 per cent between April 2025 and July 2026
- Platform now shares police station names with citizens through SMS, email and its portal
The Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi platform has recovered more than 75,000 lost or stolen mobile handsets in a single month for the first time since its launch, marking a significant milestone for the citizen-focused initiative that allows users to block and trace missing devices across India’s telecom network.
Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union minister for Communications, said the achievement shows growing public trust in the platform and strong coordination between DoT, telecom service providers and police departments across states and union territories. Monthly handset recoveries have risen 201 per cent between April 2025 and July 2026, according to government data.
EVENT
Infosec Reimagined
Infosec Reimagined 2026 is the premier information security summit where top leaders—CISOs, CROs, CIOs, CTOs and risk executives—converge to redefine cyber resilience.
EVENT
Digital Senate
Digital Senate is a premier conference uniting government leaders, technologists and innovators to share ideas, success stories and strategies on digital governance, public sector transformation, cybersecurity and emerging technologies in India.
EVENT
CIO Prism
CIO Prism unites forward-thinking technology leaders to exchange transformative insights, shape digital strategies, and foster innovation, empowering enterprises to excel in an era of rapid technological change.
EVENT
National DefTech Summit
Featuring keynotes, expert panels, live tech demos and strategic networking, the summit will drive actionable insights for defence sector.
EVENT
Future-Ready Defence
A Leadership Dialogue on sovereign, trusted data infrastructure, AI readiness and mission resilience for Defence Forces.
Sanchar Saathi is a web and mobile application that lets citizens report lost or stolen mobile phones. Once reported, the device is blocked across all telecom networks, preventing misuse. The system then monitors for any attempt to use the blocked handset, generating alerts to both the citizen and the relevant police station when the device reappears on the network.
Platform enhancements
DoT has introduced several upgrades to the platform aimed at increasing recovery rates. Citizens now receive the name of the nearest police station in traceability reports sent via SMS, email and the Sanchar Saathi portal and app. This information helps users approach the correct authorities when their device is traced.
Police departments now receive additional details when a SIM card is inserted into a reported handset, including alternate mobile numbers that can aid investigation. The platform also sends advisories to citizens recommending a factory reset after recovering their device to protect against potential malware.
The Digital Intelligence Unit within DoT and its field units across Licensed Service Areas work with state and union territory police to trace devices and return them to their owners. The automated workflow integrates real-time device traceability, allowing the system to detect when a blocked handset attempts to connect to any Indian mobile network.
How to report
Citizens can report a lost or stolen mobile phone through the Sanchar Saathi web portal at sancharsaathi.gov.in or through dedicated mobile applications. The Android app is available on the Google Play Store, while iPhone users can download the iOS version from the Apple App Store.
Once a report is filed, the International Mobile Equipment Identity number of the device is flagged across all telecom operators. The handset cannot be used with any SIM card on any Indian network until it is recovered and unblocked by the owner.
Advertisement
The platform forms part of the government’s broader Digital India initiative aimed at using technology to address citizen grievances. DoT has positioned Sanchar Saathi as a tool for protecting digital assets while empowering users to take immediate action when devices are lost or stolen.
Your Questions, Answered
What is Sanchar Saathi and how does it work?
Sanchar Saathi is a DoT platform that allows citizens to report lost or stolen mobile phones. Once reported, the device is blocked across all Indian telecom networks. The system monitors for any attempt to use the handset and alerts both the owner and police when it reappears.
How can I report a lost or stolen phone on Sanchar Saathi?
You can report through the web portal at sancharsaathi.gov.in or download the mobile app from Google Play Store for Android devices or Apple App Store for iPhones. Filing a report blocks the device across all Indian telecom operators.
How many mobile phones has Sanchar Saathi recovered?
Sanchar Saathi recovered more than 75,000 lost or stolen mobile handsets in a single month for the first time. Monthly recoveries have increased by 201 per cent between April 2025 and July 2026.
What information does Sanchar Saathi provide when tracing a device?
The platform now provides the name of the relevant police station in traceability reports sent via SMS, email and the portal. It also shares SIM insertion details and alternate mobile numbers with police to aid recovery.