Score:
9.5/15
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Topper’s Copy
GS2
Governance
15 marks
Discuss the significance of the government’s decision to mandate pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones from March 2026. How does this measure strengthen mobile security and address challenges related to IMEI spoofing and digital fraud in India?
Student’s Answer
Evaluation by SuperKalam
Demand of the Question
- Discuss the significance of the government’s decision to mandate pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones from March 2026.
- How does this measure strengthen mobile security and address challenges related to IMEI spoofing and digital fraud in India?
What you wrote:
India witnesses over one lakh mobile related cyber fraud complaints annually, many linked to clone IMEI devices. To address this, the government mandated pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app from March 2026.
India witnesses over one lakh mobile related cyber fraud complaints annually, many linked to clone IMEI devices. To address this, the government mandated pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app from March 2026.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by briefly mentioning what Sanchar Saathi is (e.g., "Sanchar Saathi, a citizen-centric mobile security platform launched by DoT, will now be mandatory on all smartphones from March 2026 to combat device-based fraud").
What you wrote:
The significance of the mandate pre installation of the Sanchar Saathi app
1. Universal IMEI Verification: Mandatory availability enables instant verification of handset authenticity, reducing circulation of cloned and tampered devices.
2. Theft deterrence: Enables quick blocking and tracking of stolen phones, discouraging resale networks.
3. Consumer Protection: empowers users to verify device authenticity and report misuse.
4. Stronger telecom governance: Improves regulatory oversight by the Department of Telecommunications against device based fraud.
The significance of the mandate pre installation of the Sanchar Saathi app
1. Universal IMEI Verification: Mandatory availability enables instant verification of handset authenticity, reducing circulation of cloned and tampered devices.
2. Theft deterrence: Enables quick blocking and tracking of stolen phones, discouraging resale networks.
3. Consumer Protection: empowers users to verify device authenticity and report misuse.
4. Stronger telecom governance: Improves regulatory oversight by the Department of Telecommunications against device based fraud.
Suggestions to improve:
- Can explain the core challenge first (e.g., "IMEI spoofing allows fraudsters to use cloned International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers to operate multiple devices under fake identities, facilitating financial scams like loan app frauds and OTP thefts").
- Could add real-world impact (e.g., "The app's 'CEIR' (Central Equipment Identity Register) feature enables citizens to block lost/stolen devices across all networks, addressing the ₹500+ crore annual loss from mobile theft").
What you wrote:
How the measure strengthens Mobile security and tackle IMEI spoofing and digital fraud
1. SIM-IMEI binding limits reuse of spoofed devices.
- Same phone cannot run multiple scam SIMs.
- Network level blocking disables cloned IMEI phones nationwide. Phishing devices stop functioning across network.
2. Real time analytics detect abnormal calling and messaging patterns. Mass scam calls flagged early.
3. IMEI verification restricts grey market and tampered handsets.
How the measure strengthens Mobile security and tackle IMEI spoofing and digital fraud
1. SIM-IMEI binding limits reuse of spoofed devices.
- Same phone cannot run multiple scam SIMs.
- Network level blocking disables cloned IMEI phones nationwide. Phishing devices stop functioning across network.
2. Real time analytics detect abnormal calling and messaging patterns. Mass scam calls flagged early.
3. IMEI verification restricts grey market and tampered handsets.
Suggestions to improve:
- Can elaborate on the app's "Know Your Mobile" feature (e.g., "Users can verify if their device is registered on IMEI database, preventing purchase of smuggled phones that bypass BIS standards and lack warranty protection").
- Could mention the TAFCOP (Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection) integration (e.g., "Citizens can check and disconnect unauthorized mobile connections linked to their documents, which are often used for cyber frauds").
What you wrote:
[DIAGRAM:
A central bubble labeled "Implementation challenges" has arrows pointing to four surrounding points:
- -> Privacy and data protection concerns over last device tracking
- -> Compliance burden on manufacturers, especially low cost phone makers
- -> low digital awareness among users limited effective utilisation
- -> Enforcement gaps for imported and refurbished devices
An arrow points from the "Implementation challenges" cluster to a bubble on the right labeled "Wayforward". Arrows point from "Wayforward" to four surrounding points:
- -> Ensure Privacy by design and minimal data collection
- -> Introduce phased implementation with incentives for manufacturers
- -> Conduct nationwide IMEI awareness campaigns
- -> Strengthen coordination with cybercrime and Police agencies
]
[DIAGRAM:
A central bubble labeled "Implementation challenges" has arrows pointing to four surrounding points:
- -> Privacy and data protection concerns over last device tracking
- -> Compliance burden on manufacturers, especially low cost phone makers
- -> low digital awareness among users limited effective utilisation
- -> Enforcement gaps for imported and refurbished devices
An arrow points from the "Implementation challenges" cluster to a bubble on the right labeled "Wayforward". Arrows point from "Wayforward" to four surrounding points:
- -> Ensure Privacy by design and minimal data collection
- -> Introduce phased implementation with incentives for manufacturers
- -> Conduct nationwide IMEI awareness campaigns
- -> Strengthen coordination with cybercrime and Police agencies
]
Suggestions to improve:
- Could add one implementation challenge related to technical infrastructure (e.g., "Backend database capacity to handle 1+ billion device registrations").
What you wrote:
With robust safeguards, Sanchar Saathi can advance digital India, strengthen cybersecurity and contribute to SDG 16 (Strong institutions) and SDG 9 secure digital infrastructure.
With robust safeguards, Sanchar Saathi can advance digital India, strengthen cybersecurity and contribute to SDG 16 (Strong institutions) and SDG 9 secure digital infrastructure.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could emphasize the paradigm shift this mandate represents (e.g., "By shifting from reactive fraud reporting to proactive device authentication, Sanchar Saathi transforms India's approach from damage control to prevention-first cybersecurity").
- Can highlight potential ripple effects (e.g., "This mandate may set a global precedent for device-level security, positioning India as a leader in tackling mobile-enabled cybercrimes").
Your answer demonstrates good structural thinking with relevant points on IMEI verification and network security. However, the core demand about addressing specific IMEI spoofing and digital fraud challenges needs more explicit treatment—what these challenges are and how the app tackles them. Strengthen the technical explanation of app features and their direct impact on fraud prevention.
Demand of the Question
- Discuss the significance of the government’s decision to mandate pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones from March 2026.
- How does this measure strengthen mobile security and address challenges related to IMEI spoofing and digital fraud in India?
What you wrote:
India witnesses over one lakh mobile related cyber fraud complaints annually, many linked to clone IMEI devices. To address this, the government mandated pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app from March 2026.
India witnesses over one lakh mobile related cyber fraud complaints annually, many linked to clone IMEI devices. To address this, the government mandated pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app from March 2026.
Suggestions to improve:
- Could strengthen by briefly mentioning what Sanchar Saathi is (e.g., "Sanchar Saathi, a citizen-centric mobile security platform launched by DoT, will now be mandatory on all smartphones from March 2026 to combat device-based fraud").
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