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How to Block a Lost or Stolen Phone in India Using CEIR on Sanchar Saathi

By , Cyber Security trainer LinkedIn Published: Last updated:

If your phone is lost or stolen in India, block the SIM with your operator and get a duplicate, file a police complaint (online or at the station), then go to sancharsaathi.gov.in → Block your lost/stolen mobile and submit the phone's IMEI, the complaint details and an ID. The CEIR system then blocks the phone on every Indian mobile network, and alerts help police trace it if someone uses it. If you get the phone back, unblock it on the same portal. It is free.

Do these in order

  1. Call your operator: block the SIM, request a duplicate SIM.
  2. Police complaint: note the complaint number.
  3. Sanchar Saathi → Block your lost/stolen mobile → IMEI + complaint + ID + OTP.
  4. Call your bank: block UPI / mobile banking. Change email and social passwords.
  5. Save the request ID to track or unblock later.

A live example first

Amit's phone was stolen in a crowded local train in Mumbai. Here is what he did that evening:

  1. SIM: from a friend's phone he called his operator, blocked the SIM, and the next morning collected a duplicate SIM with the same number.
  2. Find IMEI: he opened his Google account → Security → Your devices, which showed the phone model. The phone box at home had both IMEI numbers (dual-SIM phones have two).
  3. Police: he filed a lost/stolen report on the Maharashtra police online portal and saved the PDF.
  4. CEIR request:
sancharsaathi.gov.in → Citizen Centric Services → Block your lost/stolen mobile
Mobile number: (his number)     IMEI 1 / IMEI 2: 35xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Brand / model, purchase invoice (optional)
Lost place, date, state, district, police station, complaint number + copy
Owner name, address, ID proof
OTP to his duplicate SIM → Submit
Request ID: 2026xxxxxxxx
  1. Money: he called his bank to disable UPI on the old device and changed his Google password, signing out all devices.

Two weeks later, police called: the phone had been used with a new SIM and was traced. Friends, the block made the phone worthless to the thief and traceable for the police.

How does CEIR blocking work?

Block a lost phone with CEIR Block the SIM, file a police report, block the IMEI on Sanchar Saathi so no network works, secure UPI, unblock if recovered. Block a lost phone with CEIR SIMblock + duplicatePolicecomplaintCEIRIMEI blockBank/UPIsecureFound?unblock you An IMEI-blocked phone will not work on any Indian network

Block the SIM, file a police complaint, then block the IMEI on CEIR so the phone is useless on Indian networks.

Every phone has a unique IMEI (dual-SIM phones have two). Mobile networks see the IMEI whenever a phone connects. Once your IMEI is in the blocked list, operators refuse service to that phone, whatever SIM is put in. If someone tries, the system can record it and alert police. The Department of Telecommunications made CEIR available nationwide in May 2023, through the Sanchar Saathi portal.

How do I block a phone step by step?

  1. Block your SIM with the operator and get a duplicate (same number) so you can receive OTPs.
  2. File a police complaint and keep the complaint number and copy.
  3. Find the IMEI: on the box, the bill, or by dialling *#06# on a phone if you still have it before it is lost (note it down today!).
  4. Open sancharsaathi.gov.in → Citizen Centric Services → Block your lost/stolen mobile.
  5. Fill in the phone, loss and owner details, upload the complaint copy and ID.
  6. Verify with OTP and submit. Save the request ID.
  7. Use Check request status to track it.
  8. If the phone is found, use Unblock found mobile.

Secure your accounts too

Account What to do
UPI apps (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, BHIM) Call the app's helpline or your bank to block UPI on that device
Mobile banking Call the bank; block the app login / card if saved
Google account (Android) Find My Device → Secure device / Erase; change password; sign out all devices
Apple ID (iPhone) Find My → Mark as Lost / Erase; change password
WhatsApp Re-register WhatsApp on the duplicate SIM; this logs out the old phone
Email / social media Change passwords and sign out other sessions

Other Sanchar Saathi services

Service Use
Know mobile connections in your name (TAF-COP) See and report SIMs taken in your name
Chakshu Report suspected fraud calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages
Know your mobile (KYM) Check if a second-hand phone's IMEI is blocked or fake before buying

Real example

The Department of Telecommunications has reported that lakhs of lost and stolen phones have been blocked through CEIR since its nationwide launch, and a large number traced and returned to owners with police help. Several state police forces, such as Telangana Police, have held public events returning hundreds of recovered phones traced through CEIR at a time.

Mistakes to avoid

  1. Not knowing your IMEI. Dial *#06# today and save it with your bill.
  2. Blocking only the SIM. The phone itself still works with another SIM.
  3. Buying second-hand phones without a KYM check. You may buy a stolen, blocked phone.

Summary table

Step Where
Block SIM + duplicate Your operator
Complaint Police station or state police portal
IMEI block sancharsaathi.gov.in → Block lost/stolen mobile
Track Check request status (request ID)
Unblock Unblock found mobile
Money and accounts Bank, UPI apps, Google/Apple

Quick quiz: check what you learned

  1. What does a CEIR block stop?

    1. The phone on all Indian networks
    2. Only your old SIM card
    3. Your WhatsApp account only
    4. The phone camera and Wi-Fi
    Show answer

    A. The IMEI is blocked across all operators.

  2. Which document is needed for a CEIR request?

    1. A police complaint copy
    2. A land registration paper
    3. Your school certificate
    4. A gas connection bill
    Show answer

    A. The request needs the police complaint details.

  3. Where can you find the IMEI after losing a phone?

    1. Box, bill or Google/Apple account
    2. Your bank passbook entries list
    3. A copy of your Aadhaar card
    4. Your monthly electricity bill
    Show answer

    A. The box, bill and account device lists show it.

  4. Your phone is found. What should you do?

    1. Use Unblock found mobile
    2. Buy a new phone number
    3. File a second complaint
    4. Do nothing, it auto-unblocks
    Show answer

    A. Unblocking is done on Sanchar Saathi with the request ID.

Learn it properly

These pages go deeper:

Frequently asked questions

What is CEIR?

The Central Equipment Identity Register, run by the Department of Telecommunications. It holds a list of blocked phone IMEIs so those phones cannot be used on any Indian mobile network.

What do I need to block a phone on CEIR?

The phone's IMEI number(s), a copy of the police complaint, an ID proof, and a mobile number to receive an OTP (usually your duplicate SIM).

Where do I find the IMEI if the phone is gone?

On the phone box or purchase bill, or in your Google account (Find My Device / device list) or Apple ID device list.

Can the police trace my phone through CEIR?

When a blocked phone is used with any SIM, the system can alert the police, which helps in recovery. Many phones have been recovered this way.

How do I unblock a recovered phone?

On Sanchar Saathi choose Unblock found mobile, enter the request ID and details, and verify with OTP.

Is it free?

Yes. Blocking and unblocking through Sanchar Saathi is free.