Sanchar Saathi App: Empowering Citizens Against Telecom Fraud
In response to the alarming surge in cyber threats like "Digital Arrest" scams and forged KYC frauds, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) officially launched the
Sanchar Saathi mobile app
in January 2025. Designed as a privacy-first, citizen-centric platform, the app places robust cybersecurity tools directly in the hands of over a billion Indian mobile users. By shifting the power to the public, the platform promotes Jan Bhagidari
(people’s participation) to proactively monitor, report, and neutralize threats related to identity theft, financial fraud, and stolen devices.
Launching Authority
Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
Core Objective
Telecom Security & Fraud Prevention
Accessibility
Available in Hindi + 21 Regional Languages
Key Features & Strategic Interventions
The
Sanchar Saathi platform
operates entirely on voluntary user consent and is strictly aligned with the IT Act 2000 and the DPDP Act 2023
, ensuring minimal data collection and maximum privacy.
👁️ Chakshu Facility
A dedicated feature that allows users to seamlessly report suspected fraudulent communications received via calls, SMS, or WhatsApp. This is particularly effective against unsolicited commercial communication and KYC-updating scams.
📱 Device & Identity Security
Users can track and block lost/stolen mobile phones (preventing the entry of counterfeit phones into the black market), verify the genuineness of their handset (Know Your Mobile), and check for unauthorized mobile connections issued under their name.
🛡️ Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI)
•
Developed by DoT to classify mobile numbers into
Medium, High, or Very High
risk categories based on financial fraud potential.•
Enables banks, NBFCs, and UPI service providers to prioritize enforcement and protect vulnerable customers.
•
Helps easily identify and report international spoofed calls disguised as local (+91) numbers.
To maximize reach and ensure nationwide digital protection, the DoT issued a mandatory directive on November 28, 2025, requiring all mobile manufacturers and importers to facilitate the pre-accessibility of the
Sanchar Saathi app
on all devices sold in India.
UPSC CSE Quiz
1. With reference to the 'Sanchar Saathi' initiative, consider the following statements:
1. The 'Chakshu' feature is exclusively designed to track and block lost or stolen mobile devices across India.
2. The platform's Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) assists UPI providers and banks by categorizing mobile numbers based on their risk of financial fraud.
3. It is a mandatory platform that collects user data for commercial marketing to fund cyber-security operations.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 2 only ✓
C) 1 and 2 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Source Information
PIB (Department of Telecommunications)
