The 2026 Surveillance Landscape Has Changed

Selecting security hardware across Indian commercial or residential sites is no longer just about resolution and price points. Regulatory enforcement from MeitY under the IoT System Certification Scheme (IoTSCS) and IS 13252 (Part 1) requires every new internet-connected camera manufactured, imported, or sold in India to carry explicit STQC certification.

This is a hardware and firmware policy gate, not a targeted brand ban. Non-compliant chipsets and unverified firmware pipelines lack clearance on the official STQC portal. Consequently, dominant legacy players without active certificates cannot legally distribute new IP cameras in India. Whether managing a corporate facility or executing a new CCTV Installation in Kolkata, verifying certified hardware is your first technical requirement.

What STQC Certification Entails

The Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) directorate, operating alongside BIS, evaluates devices against strict cybersecurity standards. Mandatory disclosure includes:

• System-on-Chip (SoC) country of origin
• Firmware codebase lineage and update path security
• Vulnerability testing against common IoT exploits

Certification is assigned per model and firmware version, not as a blanket brand clearance. A vendor boasting certified status may only hold credentials for specific SKUs. When deploying advanced AI Based CCTV deployments—such as facial recognition or perimeter analytics—the model-level certificate must cover the active edge-processing firmware.

Top Verified STQC-Certified Brands for 2026

Based on official portal audits, the following brands maintain verifiable, active network camera certifications:

1. CP Plus (Aditya Infotech)

Ideal for mass-market commercial, retail, and residential installations. Offers extensive service network coverage and widely available certified IP dome and bullet models.

2. Prama

Holds one of the broadest catalogues of certified IP cameras on the portal. An excellent choice for mid-to-large project requirements needing multi-sensor or high-throughput camera deployments.

3. Sparsh CCTV

A pioneer in domestic manufacturing. Sparsh provides indigenous, Atmanirbhar Bharat certified hardware well-suited for government tenders, PSU projects, and smart city infrastructure.

4. Matrix Comsec

Vadodara-based manufacturer with strong enterprise IP cameras. Matrix excels when integrating surveillance with unified access platforms, such as enterprise-grade Biometric Attendance systems and IP door controllers.

Step-by-Step STQC Verification Checklist

Avoid buying unverified inventory by running this brief field audit:

1. Visit the official portal at stqc.gov.in and navigate to the IoTSCS certified list.
2. Download the vendor annexure PDF and match the exact camera model string.
3. Cross-reference the installed firmware build with the certified build version.
4. Verify the certificate validity window (typically 3 years from issuance).

Legacy systems installed prior to April 2026 remain legal to operate. However, any expansion, camera replacement, or new site deployment must use certified hardware.