Lost Your Mobile in India? Here’s How to Trace It Using Sanchar Saathi Portal

Losing a mobile phone can feel overwhelming, especially when it holds your personal data, contacts, and banking apps. To help citizens in such situations, the Indian government has launched the Sanchar Saathi portal, a secure platform that lets you block, track, and even recover stolen or misplaced phones. Powered by the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) and developed by C-DOT under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), this initiative has already helped lakhs of users get their devices back.

Why Sanchar Saathi Matters

• Over 33 lakh phones blocked from misuse.
• More than 20 lakh devices traced successfully.
• Nearly 4.5 lakh mobiles returned to owners.

The system ensures your stolen phone becomes useless to thieves while enabling authorities to track it down. The sooner you act, the better your recovery chances.

Step-by-Step Guide to Track Your Lost Mobile

Step 1: Get a Duplicate SIM

• Visit your mobile operator’s nearest outlet.
• Carry a valid ID proof like Aadhaar, voter ID, or driving license.
• Request a replacement SIM for your lost number and insert it into another phone.

This ensures you continue receiving OTPs and updates during the recovery process.

Step 2: File a Police Complaint

• Report the loss at your nearest police station or on the state’s online police portal.
• Provide details like IMEI number, phone model, last known location, and how it was lost.
• Collect a copy of the FIR or acknowledgement, as it is required for portal submission.

Step 3: Register on Sanchar Saathi Portal

• Visit www.ceir.gov.in
• Select “Block Stolen/Lost Mobile”.
• Fill in details such as:

- IMEI number(s) of the lost device.
- Police FIR number (and upload the copy if needed).
- Aadhaar-linked ID proof.
- Alternate mobile number (your new SIM or another active number).

Once submitted, note down the request ID for tracking updates.

Step 4: Automatic Blocking and Alerts

• The lost phone’s IMEI is immediately blocked across all telecom networks in India.
• Alerts are sent to law enforcement and telecom providers.
• If someone tries to use the phone with a new SIM, the system will detect it.

Step 5: Wait for Recovery

• Authorities can trace your phone once it reconnects to any mobile network.
• Police or cybercrime teams will contact you when the device is found.
• After verification, your phone will be handed back safely.

Why Early Reporting is Crucial

The CEIR database shows that Delhi NCR leads with 7.9 lakh+ cases, followed by Maharashtra (4.18 lakh) and Karnataka (3.90 lakh). Smaller regions like Lakshadweep, however, reported only 11 cases.

Experts advise filing the complaint at the earliest, before the phone changes hands or is smuggled out of the country.

Thanks to the Sanchar Saathi portal, losing your mobile in India doesn’t mean losing it forever. By quickly getting a duplicate SIM, filing an FIR, and registering your case online, you significantly increase the chances of recovery. With millions of successful recoveries already recorded, this government-backed platform is one of the most effective safeguards against mobile theft and loss.