The Indian Central government has inaugurated the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal at ceir.gov.in to help citizens report mobile phone theft. If your device is missing or stolen, you must register a complaint on the official CEIR website, submit an FIR with the police, and notify the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) by calling the 14422 helpline. Through this initiative, the government aims to assist you in tracking your lost or stolen mobile phone using IMEI verification technology.
The Department of Telecommunications has been developing the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) since 2017. This system serves as a database for International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers. As India has over a billion mobile users, this 15-digit unique code is essential for identifying individual mobile devices.
Telecom Minister Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad officially launched the ceir.gov.in portal to address mobile theft. A pilot phase for this CEIR program has already commenced in select regions.
How the CEIR Portal Assists in Tracking Lost or Stolen Phones
Here is how the CEIR system handles cases of missing or stolen mobile devices:
- First, the owner of the lost phone must file a formal FIR at their local police station.
- Next, notify the DoT by calling the 14422 helpline.
- Once the police report is filed, the DoT will blacklist the device's IMEI. This prevents the phone from connecting to any mobile network in the future.
Lock Your Device - Register a Complaint Online at ceir.gov.in
You can block your device if it has been stolen or lost by following any of these methods:
Using the Online Web Form
To use the online submission form, follow these steps:
- Submit a report to the police and retain a copy for your records.
- Obtain a replacement SIM card for your lost number from your telecom provider (e.g., Jio, Airtel, Vi, or BSNL).
- Prepare your documents, including the police report copy and a valid identity proof. Providing the original purchase invoice is also recommended.
- Complete the registration form to block the IMEI of your missing device and upload the necessary documents. Click Here to access the CEIR online complaint form.
