Meerut: The Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, an initiative of the Department of Telecommunications under the Government of India, is proving to be a game-changer in tracking and recovering lost or stolen mobile phones. Citizens can register the details of their lost or stolen phones on the portal (ceir.gov.in), and if the device is used anywhere in the country, the police are immediately alerted.
This year alone, over 5,000 mobile phones have been recovered in the Meerut range using the CEIR portal, highlighting the effectiveness of the technology in combating mobile theft and loss.
DIG Meerut Explains the CEIR Process
DIG Meerut range, Kalanidhi Naithani, explained in detail how the CEIR portal works to track and recover stolen or lost mobile phones. The portal is connected to the networks of all telecom service providers in the country, enabling quick location tracing of registered devices.
अगर किसी का मोबाइल खोया है तो वो भारत सरकार की सेंट्रल इक्विपमेंट आइडेंटिटी रजिस्टर की (https://t.co/US6yXg7s5n) वेबसाइट पर जाकर डिटेल्स दर्ज कराए। देशभर में अगर कहीं वो मोबाइल चल रहा है तो पुलिस पर अलर्ट पहुंचेगा। मेरठ रेंज में इस तकनीक से इस साल ऐसे 5 हजार मोबाइल मिले हैं।… pic.twitter.com/xDH96x1FgL
— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) November 21, 2025
CEIR: A Powerful Tool for Fast Mobile Tracking
DIG Meerut Range Kalanidhi Naithani highlighted that the CEIR portal has become a crucial digital system for tracing stolen or missing mobile devices. Integrated with the networks of all telecom service providers across the country, the portal allows security agencies to locate devices in real-time.
How CEIR Works
1. Registration of Mobile Complaint
A stolen or missing mobile phone is registered on the portal under the “Block Stolen/Lost Mobile” option. The complainant can submit details directly on CEIR or via the local police station with a police complaint number, ID proof, and purchase invoice.
2. IMEI Blocking Within 24 Hours
Once entered, the IMEI details are shared with all telecom companies within 24 hours, following which the IMEI is blocked—making the device unusable on any SIM network.
3. Automatic Traceability When SIM is Changed
If someone tries to use the phone with a new SIM card, the telecom operator immediately uploads a traceability report on CEIR containing the user’s number, time stamp, and location information.
4. Quick Police Action
Police teams then contact the number flagged in the report and recover the device based on verification.
5. Device Recovery & IMEI Unblocking
Once recovered, police update the portal and telecom companies to unblock the IMEI.
DIG Naithani Issues Strong Directions to All Police Stations
Expressing concern over increasing financial and administrative irregularities in various divisions, DIG Naithani instructed district police to strengthen the CEIR command and compliance system.
His key directives include:
- Each police station must appoint a dedicated CEIR nodal officer.
- Special training for teams operating the portal.
- Formation of a district-level Mobile Recovery Cell to monitor daily progress.
- Mandatory updating of all complaints on CEIR within 24 hours.
- All IMEI-based tracking attempts must be recorded on the portal.
- Public awareness campaigns through social media, newspapers, and community programmes.
- Rewarding performing teams and fixing responsibility wherever negligence is found.
Naithani stated that with daily traceability monitoring and honest fieldwork, most stolen mobiles can be recovered swiftly, reducing theft incidents significantly.
About DIG Kalanidhi Naithani
A 2010-batch IPS officer, Naithani took charge as SSP Aligarh on 27 March 2021 and is widely known for his tech-driven policing and administrative reforms. DIG Kalanidhi Naithani comes from an accomplished teacher family in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. His mother, a former school principal, is a President’s Award recipient, while his father retired as a professor from Garhwal University. He completed early schooling in Pauri, intermediate studies from Army School Mathura, and earned his B.Tech in Electronics and Communication from Pantnagar. He later completed a Master’s Degree in Police Management from Osmania University, Hyderabad.
