Summary:
India is testing a new Cell Broadcast-based emergency alert system led by the Department of Telecommunications in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority to improve disaster communication. Users may receive test alerts in multiple languages, which require no action. Built on the SACHET platform developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics, the system enables real-time, area-wide alerts even during network congestion, enhancing response to emergencies like earthquakes and cyclones. Once fully deployed, it is expected to strengthen India’s disaster preparedness through faster, more reliable, and multi-channel communication.
India is advancing its disaster communication capabilities as the Department of Telecommunications rolls out nationwide trials of a Cell Broadcast-based emergency alert system. During this exercise, mobile users across the country may begin receiving test notifications in English, Hindi, and various regional languages. Authorities have clarified that these are only trial messages and require no action, though the initiative represents a major change in how emergency alerts will be delivered going forward.
The programme is being implemented by the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications, in partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority, with the goal of strengthening mobile-based warning systems so that critical information can reach citizens quickly and reliably during emergencies. At the centre of this framework is the Integrated Alert System, SACHET, developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics, which follows the globally recognised Common Alerting Protocol recommended by the International Telecommunication Union.
Currently operational across all states and Union Territories, SACHET has already been widely used by disaster management agencies, enabling the transmission of over 134 billion SMS alerts in more than 19 Indian languages during events such as cyclones and severe weather conditions. Building on this, the government is introducing Cell Broadcast technology to enhance alert delivery in time-sensitive situations like earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning strikes, and industrial incidents. Unlike SMS, which sends messages individually, Cell Broadcast delivers alerts simultaneously to all devices within a defined geographic area, ensuring near real-time communication even when networks are congested.
The system has been indigenously developed and implemented by C-DOT as part of efforts to strengthen domestic telecom capabilities. Extensive nationwide testing is currently underway to evaluate performance, reliability, and compatibility before full-scale deployment. During this phase, users may receive multiple alerts depending on device settings, as messages are being sent across different regions and network conditions.
Officials have emphasised that these alerts are purely for testing and should be ignored, even if received repeatedly. To minimise confusion, the exact format of the test message has been shared, clearly identifying it as a trial notification. Similar messages are also being issued in Hindi and other regional languages to ensure clarity for all users.
Once fully operational, the Cell Broadcast system is expected to function across all mobile devices without requiring manual activation, enabling instant delivery of alerts during real emergencies. This development marks a significant step in India’s disaster preparedness strategy, especially in the context of rising climate risks and increasing urban populations, where timely communication can help save lives and reduce damage.
Cell Broadcast systems are already in use in countries such as the United States and Japan, and India’s adoption aligns it with global practices while adapting the technology for multilingual and large-scale deployment. Testing will continue until authorities are satisfied with system performance, and public cooperation remains important during this phase. Over time, integrating Cell Broadcast with existing SMS alerts will create a more resilient, multi-layered communication system, ensuring that vital warnings reach people through multiple channels.
