Sanchar Saathi: A Guide to India’s Digital Safety Fortress for UPSC
Q. With reference to the 'Sanchar Saathi' initiative, consider the following statements:
1. It is a portal developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to map cybercrime hotspots in India.
2. The 'CHAKSU' feature allows users to report suspected fraudulent communications like KYC-updating scams.
3. The platform provides a 'Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)' to help banks prioritize protection for high-risk numbers.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Context
Launched in its mobile app avatar in January 2025, Sanchar Saathi is a citizen-centric tool developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to strengthen mobile security and combat the rising tide of cybercrimes in India, which saw over 20 lakh incidents reported in 2024.
Core Features of Sanchar Saathi
The platform provides a suite of tools aimed at protecting digital identities and securing mobile devices:
- CHAKSU — A proactive reporting tool that enables users to report suspected fraud communications via calls, SMS, or WhatsApp (e.g., KYC update scams).
- IMEI Tracking & Blocking — Facilitates the tracing and blocking of lost or stolen phones across India, preventing device cloning and counterfeit sales.
- Mobile Connection Verification — Allows citizens to check the number of mobile connections linked to their identity and report forged KYC details.
- Know Your Mobile (KYM) — Verifies the genuineness of a mobile handset before purchase.
- International Call Reporting — Enables reporting of international calls that are disguised as domestic Indian numbers (+91).
Impact and Results (as of Dec 2025)
The platform has delivered measurable results in curbing telecom fraud:
- Devices Blocked: Over 42 lakh stolen/lost mobile devices.
- Connections Disconnected: 1.43 crore+ based on "Not My Number" reports.
- Fraudulent Connections Removed: 40.96 lakh.
- Financial Savings: The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) prevented losses worth ₹475 crore.
- App Downloads: 1.4 crore+ since its launch on 17th January 2025.
Regulatory and Privacy Framework
Sanchar Saathi is designed to be Privacy-First, activating only with explicit user consent.
- DPDP Act 2023 Alignment: The platform limits data collection to legitimate purposes, ensuring transparency and accountability.
- IT Act 2000 Compliance: Adheres to primary laws governing cybercrime and data privacy.
- TCCCPR Support: Enables easy reporting of spam and unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) in line with TRAI regulations.
Significance for UPSC
India is the world’s second-largest telecom ecosystem with over a billion subscribers. Sanchar Saathi represents a move toward:
- Jan Bhagidari: Engaging citizens in active governance and cyber-vigilance.
- Institutional Trust: Building confidence in digital services as they become central to healthcare, banking, and e-learning.
- Strategic Security: Reducing the financial and social impact of organized cybercrime networks.
🎯 Analysis & Insights
Prelims mastery
Correct Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.
Reasoning: Sanchar Saathi was developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, not the Ministry of Home Affairs (Statement 1 is false).
Mains perspective
"Digital empowerment of citizens through tools like Sanchar Saathi is as critical as hardware infrastructure for a secure 'Viksit Bharat'." Discuss the role of user-driven fraud reporting in strengthening India's cybersecurity framework. (150 words)