The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) on October 27, 2022, issued clarifications on the prevention of tampering of the Mobile Device Equipment Identification Number (Amendment) Rules, 2022.
The following has been clarified-
•The development work for updation of the Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction portal to cater to the requirement of locally manufactured Mobile phone IMEI registration etc. is under progress.
•The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or user manual is under preparation and will be shared shortly with the industry.
•The manufacturer shall register the international mobile equipment identity number of every mobile phone manufactured in India, meant for sale in India as well as meant for exports.
•The inbuilt redundancy, capability, and robustness to ensure 24X7 operations, 365 days a year of the Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction (ICDR) system will be provided.
•The industry is required to generate the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) certificates for locally manufactured IMEI registration as well and keep the same for records. The IMEI certificates may require to be produced during inspection and surveillance.
• Clause 6.7 of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) (Version 1.1) for "Implementation of Central Government notification prohibiting the import of mobile phones with duplicate, fake and non-genuine International Mobile Equipment Identity", released by the DoT vide Office Memorandum No. 5-2/2018/UDS dated July 04, 2022, is applicable for the mobile handsets carried or imported by the individuals.
Clause 6.7 is reproduced below for ready reference: "Self-certification by the individual that Mobile handset carried/imported has genuine IMEI will suffice for the following:
1. Mobile phones (new/used) imported as passenger baggage.
2. Import Mobile phones on a repair and return basis.
3. Mobile phones (new/being used) carried by the passenger while coming into India or going out of India."
Such individual users are not required to register their handsets as of now.
•The provisions for registration by the brand owners, manufacturers, and third parties duly authorized by brand owners will be available on the Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction System (ICDR) portal.
•Test International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is allocated as an 8-digit TAC code per manufacturer and uniquely identifies the manufacturer.
•The Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction System (ICDR) system also has the facility for registration and generation of IMEI certificates for test and prototype mobile devices. In view of the above, there is no requirement for IMEI certificate exemption for mobile phones and other sample devices imported for Testing or Research and Development purposes.
• Rule 4 (1) of the prevention of tampering of the Mobile Device Equipment Identification Number (Amendment) Rules, 2022 shall come into force with effect from January 01, 2023.
[Notification No. 13-15/2021-UDS]
