**Executive Summary**
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) are conducting nationwide testing of an indigenous Cell Broadcast System to enhance real-time disaster communication. Initiated on April 29, 2026, these trials involve sending test messages in multiple languages to mobile devices to assess system reliability before formal inauguration. Recipients are explicitly requested to ignore these messages as they are for system validation purposes only and require no action.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Existing Infrastructure and Collaboration**
* The DoT and NDMA are collaborating to enhance disaster alerts via the Integrated Alert System (SACHET).
* Developed by C-DOT, SACHET is based on the International Telecommunication Union’s Common Alerting Protocol (CAP).
* The system is currently operational across all 36 States and Union Territories, having disseminated over 134 billion SMS alerts to date.
* **Cell Broadcast (CB) Technology Features**
* CB technology has been introduced to complement SMS for time-critical emergencies such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and chemical leaks.
* Unlike SMS, CB enables simultaneous, near real-time delivery of alerts to all mobile devices within a specific geographic area.
* C-DOT is responsible for the indigenous development and implementation of this system.
* **Testing and Technical Requirements**
* Nationwide trials are currently underway to evaluate performance and infrastructure reliability.
* Test messages are being disseminated in English, Hindi, and various regional languages.
* During the trial phase, messages are only received on devices where "Test alerts" are enabled in the "Wireless emergency alerts" settings.
* Once fully operational, the system will reach all mobile handsets regardless of individual test channel settings.
**Impact Analysis**
**Public / Mobile Users**
**Impact**
Users may receive multiple test messages in various languages on their mobile devices during the trial period.
**Action Required**
Recipients should ignore these messages and are requested not to take any action. Users can optionally enable or disable these trials through their device’s "Safety and emergency" settings.
**Department of Telecommunications (DoT) & National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)**
**Impact**
These bodies are responsible for the pan-India rollout and the eventual formal dedication of the system to the nation.
**Action Required**
They must continue monitoring the nationwide testing to assess system performance and reliability across all mobile network infrastructures.
**Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)**
**Impact**
As the developer, C-DOT is tasked with ensuring the indigenous technology functions correctly on a national scale.
**Action Required**
C-DOT must manage the technical implementation and validation of the Cell Broadcast facility to ensure it meets the requirements for time-critical alert dissemination.
Key Entities Referenced
Integrated Alert System (SACHET): A mobile-based disaster communication system developed to ensure timely dissemination of critical emergency information to citizens.
Cell Broadcast (CB) System: An indigenous technology initiative being tested across India to deliver real-time, geo-targeted public emergency alerts to mobile devices.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): The central government authority collaborating on the enhancement and operationalization of mobile-based disaster communication systems.
Department of Telecommunications (DoT): The primary government department leading the nationwide testing and rollout of the Cell Broadcast alert facility.
Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT): The premier R&D center of the Department of Telecommunications responsible for the indigenous development of the alert system.
Ministry of Communications
Pan-India Testing of Indigenous Cell Broadcast
System Underway for Rapid Disaster Alerts
Test messages in English, Hindi, and regional languages may
be received on mobile phones; recipients are requested not
to take any action during the testing phase
Posted On: 29 APR 2026 6:51PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, in collaboration with the
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India, is actively enhancing mobile-
based disaster communication systems across the country to ensure timely dissemination of critical
information to its citizens.
NDMA has successfully operationalized the Integrated Alert System (SACHET), developed by the Centre
for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier R&D centre of the Department of
Telecommunications. The system is based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), as recommended by
the International Telecommunication Union. It is currently operational across all 36 States and Union
Territories of India and delivers disaster and emergency related alerts via SMS to mobile users within geo-
targeted areas.
The system has been extensively utilized by disaster management authorities, enabling the dissemination
of over 134 billion SMS alerts, till date, in more than 19 Indian languages during natural disasters,
weather warnings, and cyclonic events.
To further strengthen alert dissemination in time-critical situations, such as tsunamis, earthquakes,
lightning strikes and man-made emergencies like gas leaks or chemical hazards, Cell Broadcast (CB)
technology has been introduced alongside SMS. In a Cell Broadcast System, alerts are transmitted to all
mobile devices within a defined geographic area simultaneously, ensuring near real-time delivery of the
alerts.
C-DOT has been entrusted with the indigenous development and implementation of this Cell Broadcast-
based public emergency alert system.
As part of the pan-India rollout and the launch of the Cell Broadcast (CB) facility, nationwide testing and
trials are currently being conducted to assess the system’s performance and reliability prior to its formal
inauguration and dedication to the nation. During this period, members of the public may receive test
messages in English, Hindi and regional languages on their mobile devices.
These “test messages” will only be received on mobile devices with Cell Broadcast test channels enabled
(Users can enable or disable alerts through the following menu path on their mobile devices: Settings
→ Safety and emergency →Wireless emergency alerts →Test alerts). Recipients may receive
multiple messages as part of the testing process to ensure proper functioning across the entire mobile
network infrastructure.These messages are part of a planned nationwide testing exercise and do not require any action by the
recipients.
The content of the test message will be as follows:
English:
This is a TEST Cell Broadcast message sent by the National Disaster Management Authority in
coordination with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, as part of testing
the Cell Broadcast solution for disseminating alerts. During the testing of the Cell Broadcast solution, you
may receive this message multiple times on your mobile handset. Please ignore these message(s); no
action is required at your end.
Hindi:
यह एक टेस्ट सेल ॉडकास्ट संदेश ह,ै जस े राीय आपदा प्रबंधन प्राधकरण (NDMA) न े दरू संचार वभाग (DoT), भारत सरकार
के साथ मलकर सेल ॉडकास्ट समाधान के परीक्षण के तहत भेजा ह।ै परीक्षण के दौरान आपको यह संदेश अपन े मोबाइल पर कई
बार प्राप्त हो सकता ह।ै कृपया इन संदेश को अनदेखा कर, आपक ओर स ेकोई कारवाई करन ेक आवश्यकता नह ह।ै
Once successfully tested and operationalized, the CB system will be used to disseminate alerts in multiple
Indian languages across all mobile handsets— regardless of test channel settings—ensuring a wide and
inclusive public reach during actual emergencies.
DoT requests the co-operation of the public during this important testing phase and reiterates that all test
messages during this period are purely for system validation purposes and no action is required from the
recipient side.
Follow DoT Handles for more: -
X - https://x.com/DoT_India
Insta- https://www.instagram.com/department_of_telecom?igsh=MXUxbHFjd3llZTU0YQ==
Fb - https://www.facebook.com/DoTIndia
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@departmentoftelecom?si=DALnhYkt89U5jAaa
****
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