Sanchar Saathi Recovers Over 6 Lakh Lost and Stolen Phones, Boosting Digital Trust
DoT's Sanchar Saathi initiative helps recover 6 lakh+ stolen mobile phones, strengthening citizen trust in digital safety.
New Delhi, September 30, 2025 -
In a major milestone for India's digital public safety efforts, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced that its flagship digital initiative, Sanchar Saathi, has successfully facilitated the recovery of over 6 lakh lost and stolen mobile handsets across the country.Launched in May 2023, the AI-powered platform offers citizens a centralized system to report, block, trace, and unblock stolen or lost mobile phones across all telecom networks in India. This achievement, according to officials, marks a significant leap in both cybercrime prevention and citizen empowerment, reinforcing public trust in digital governance.
The 'Block Your Lost/Stolen Mobile Handset' facility on Sanchar Saathi enables real-time integration between DoT, telecom service providers (TSPs), and State/UT police departments. The moment a lost device is used with any new SIM, an automated alert is generated and sent to the concerned police station and the registered user.
According to DoT data, the initiative is now enabling the recovery of one phone every minute, with monthly retrievals increasing from 28,115 in January 2025 to 45,243 in August 2025 - a 61% surge in just eight months. This reflects stronger collaboration with law enforcement agencies and rising public awareness.
"This is more than just a number. Every recovered device represents restored communication, prevented fraud, and regained digital identity," said a senior DoT official. "It demonstrates how technology, when built with citizen-centric design, becomes a true enabler."
The success is being attributed to increased integration with state police, robust public outreach, and the platform's continuous evolution. Sanchar Saathi has recorded over 19 crore website visits and more than 90 lakh app downloads, becoming one of India's most widely used digital safety tools.
Expanded Capabilities and Tools
In addition to mobile recovery, Sanchar Saathi offers other security features, including:
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Chakshu: Report suspicious calls and messages
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Know Your Mobile Connections: Identify active SIMs under your name
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Device Verification: Check handset authenticity using IMEI
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International Call Reporting: Flag spoofed international numbers
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Trusted Contacts: Access verified service provider information
Available in Hindi, English, and 21 regional languages, the mobile app ensures inclusivity across demographics. Citizens are urged to report lost or stolen devices promptly and to utilize Sanchar Saathi's full suite of digital protection tools.
Call to Action
DoT encourages all users to download the Sanchar Saathi mobile app or visit www.sancharsaathi.gov.in to access services and stay protected.
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Android: Download here
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iOS: Download here
This milestone is a testament to India's Digital by Design approach and the success of Jan Bhagidari-citizen participation-in building a secure and digitally empowered nation.
