Ministry of Communications Launches Indigenous Cell Broadcast System on 2 May 2026 for Geo-Targeted Disaster Alerts Across India, Linked with SACHET and Developed with C-DOT, NDMA and the Ministry of Home Affairs
The Ministry of Communications launched India's indigenous Cell Broadcast System on 2 May 2026 for near real-time, geo-targeted disaster alerts. Developed with C-DOT, NDMA and MHA and integrated with SACHET, it can reach mobile users within selected towers or wider areas despite congestion. The launch included a national test, disaster-management guidelines and recognition of disaster-management awardees.
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Key Points for RAS
- Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched the indigenous Cell Broadcast System on 2 May 2026 as a national public-warning mechanism.
- The system was developed by C-DOT under the Department of Telecommunications with NDMA and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- It is integrated with the CAP-based SACHET platform for rapid and standardised official alerts.
- Alerts can be sent to individual towers, tower clusters or larger areas and are designed to work despite network congestion.
- A nationwide test was conducted on launch day, with emergency messages and a distinct alert tone broadcast to mobile phones.
- Trials and training have covered all States and Union Territories, and the system has already been used in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Uttarakhand and the Char Dham Yatra.
The Ministry of Communications launched the indigenous Cell Broadcast System on 2 May 2026 as a national public-warning mechanism for disasters and emergencies. Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched it in Delhi; the technology was developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics under the Department of Telecommunications, with the National Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of Home Affairs. The release presented it as a move from reactive response to proactive citizen protection, because authorities can send simultaneous alerts directly to mobile devices within a defined risk area. Integrated with the CAP-based SACHET platform, it gives agencies a rapid and standardised official warning channel. A nationwide test was conducted on launch day, when emergency messages were broadcast to phones across India with a distinct alert tone. The system can target individual cell towers or clusters and can scale to larger regions. Messages are delivered in near real time, are designed to remain unaffected by network congestion, and reach all users in the target zone, including roaming users. Alerts appear as priority notifications with loud tones, and supported phones can read the text aloud. The platform supports multilingual alerts for hazards such as flash floods and gas leaks, and works across second to fifth generation mobile networks, making it relevant for cities and rural last-mile areas. Pan-India trials under SACHET have been completed with training across all States and Union Territories. The release said the system had been used in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Uttarakhand, was being used for the Char Dham Yatra, and had been demonstrated in Mauritius, Cambodia, El Salvador and Sri Lanka under the United Nations Early Warnings for All initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions
1 What did the Ministry of Communications launch on 2 May 2026?
It launched the indigenous Cell Broadcast System for near real-time, geo-targeted disaster and emergency alerts.
2 Which institutions collaborated on the system?
C-DOT under the Department of Telecommunications developed it with the National Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
3 How does the system improve public warning delivery?
It sends priority alerts to selected towers or wider areas, works despite congestion and reaches roaming users within the target zone.
4 Where had the system already shown use or demonstration?
The release cited use in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Uttarakhand and the Char Dham Yatra, and demonstrations in Mauritius, Cambodia, El Salvador and Sri Lanka.
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