Central Equipment Identity Register

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has launched the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) to track the lost or stolen

mobile phones. It acts as a central database of all the mobile phones that are used and registered in India. The user can track the devices by providing the required information requested on the portal along with International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) and FIR copy. The CEIR shares a wide platform that supports all the network operators. It helps to receive information on the blacklisted mobile devices from the registered network to notify other networks. This helps to track the device even if the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) has changed.

Equipment Identity Register

The Equipment Identity Register (EIR) is a database that contains all the IMEI or Electronic Serial Number (ESN). IMEI is a unique number attached to all the handsets. These numbers are attached to the registered service provider. The following are the type of lists in the EIR database:

White List

The White List contains all the authorised IMEI numbers that are allowed to access the network.

Grey List

The Grey List contains all the authorised IMEI numbers that are kept for observation to track the number.

Black List

The Black List contains all the unauthorised IMEI numbers that are

Limitations in the Previous Model of TRAI

Previously, when a mobile handset is stolen, the user blocks the IMEI number by calling to the network operator service. This procedure blocks the phone but does not stop from using the phone. The service provider ensures that the network is not misused. But the lost phone was accessible after inserting a different SIM card. This was observed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the limitations associated with the existing model. Hence, the DoT launched CEIR with a revised model to track the lost or stolen mobiles even if the SIM cards are changed.

Objectives of CEIR

Discourage mobile theft, identify fraudulent mobile market and protect consumer interest
To centralise the database for identifying and blocking the lost, stolen or illegal mobile phones/networks
To track the lost or stolen mobile phones through IMEI numbers even if the SIM cards are changed or disabled
Create an infrastructure to provide the services to track the mobile devices
Create an infrastructure to access GSMA's database to check the authentication of the mobile device
To identify duplicate IMEI numbers, cloned, reprogrammed stolen or unauthorised devices

Services of CEIR

The following are the services provided by CEIR:

Block the Stolen or Lost Mobile device
Unblock the Found Mobile
Check the Request Status
IMEI Verification
Mobile APP
Feedback

Documents Required to Block the Mobile Device

FIR Copy
Invoice of the Phone
Identity Proof
Alternative phone number

Blocking a Lost or Stolen Mobile Device

To block the mobile in CEIR, the following steps can be followed:

Step 1: File a report with the Police. Acquire the FIR copy to upload in the CEIR portal Step 2: Open the official webpage of CEIR Official-webpage-of-CEIR

Step 3: Click on CEIR Services > Block Stolen/Lost Mobile Blocking-CEIR

Step 4: Provide details about the lost phone such as mobile number, IMEI numbers, model of the device and invoice of the mobile Form-CEIR

Step 5: Provide the details on the place lost and upload the FIR copy ( Provision for adding more complaint can also be made) Step 6: Provide personal information along with a copy of Identity proof Step 7: Provide a mobile number to receive OTP. In the case of acquiring the same number, a duplicate number can be acquired. Step 8: Provide the OTP and click on Submit Step 9: Note the request ID to provide details for unblocking the mobile device

Unblocking the Lost or Stolen Mobile

Step 1: Open the official webpage of CEIR Official-webpage-of-CEIR

Step 2: Click on CEIR Services > Un-Block Found Mobile Unblocking-the-phone

Step 3: Provide the request ID Request-ID-CEIR

Step 4: Provide the mobile number ( used to receive the OTP number) Step 5: Provide a mobile number to receive OTP Step 6: Provide the OTP and click on Submit

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Central Equipment Identity Register CEIR.

The Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) is a central database launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India to track lost or stolen mobile phones. It allows users to report and block their lost or stolen devices by providing information such as the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number and a copy of the FIR (First Information Report).

CEIR acts as a centralized platform that supports all network operators in India. It helps track a lost or stolen device even if the SIM card is changed, as it relies on the unique IMEI number associated with the device. CEIR shares information about blacklisted devices across networks, ensuring that the device cannot be used on any network in India.

The Equipment Identity Register (EIR) is a database maintained by network operators that contains a list of all IMEI or ESN (Electronic Serial Number) numbers. It categorizes IMEI numbers into white, grey, and black lists based on their authorization status for accessing the network.

To block a lost or stolen mobile device on CEIR, you need to provide the following documents: a copy of the FIR (First Information Report) filed with the police, the invoice of the phone, a proof of identity, and an alternative phone number to receive the OTP (One-Time Password).

If you find a mobile device that was previously reported as lost or stolen, you can unblock it on CEIR by following these steps: Visit the CEIR website, select the "Un-Block Found Mobile" service, provide the request ID generated when the device was blocked, enter the mobile number to receive an OTP, and submit the OTP to unblock the device.

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number is a unique 15-digit code assigned to each mobile device. It is used to identify valid devices and prevent unauthorized or counterfeit devices from accessing the network. CEIR uses the IMEI number to track and block lost or stolen devices.

Previously, when a mobile handset was stolen, the user could only block the IMEI number with their network operator, which prevented the device from being used on that network. However, the lost phone could still be accessed by inserting a different SIM card. CEIR addresses this limitation by allowing the tracking and blocking of lost or stolen devices across all networks, even if the SIM card is changed.

The main objectives of CEIR are to discourage mobile theft, identify fraudulent mobile markets, protect consumer interests, centralize the database for identifying and blocking lost, stolen, or illegal mobile phones/networks, track lost or stolen devices through IMEI numbers even if the SIM cards are changed, and create an infrastructure to provide services for tracking mobile devices and accessing GSMA's database to check the authentication of mobile devices.

CEIR provides the following services: blocking stolen or lost mobile devices, unblocking found mobile devices, checking the request status, IMEI verification, and a mobile app for accessing CEIR services. It also allows users to provide feedback on the platform.

To report a lost or stolen mobile device on CEIR, you need to follow these steps: file a report with the police and obtain a copy of the FIR, visit the CEIR website, select the "Block Stolen/Lost Mobile" service, provide details about the lost phone (mobile number, IMEI numbers, model, invoice), upload the FIR copy, provide personal information and identity proof, enter an alternative phone number to receive the OTP, submit the OTP, and note the request ID for future reference.