If your mobile is lost or stolen, 'Sanchar Saarthi' will help recover it; 1.4 million phones have been recovered so far..

Sanchar Saathi Portal: According to data released by the Ministry of Communications, over 6.096 million (60.96 lakh) stolen or lost mobile handsets have been blocked so far with the help of the Sanchar Saathi portal, and more than 1.4 million (14 lakh) phones have been recovered and returned to their owners. If your smartphone gets lost or stolen, there is no need to worry. In fact, the Ministry of Communications, the police, and telecom service providers are achieving significant success in curbing telecom fraud and safeguarding citizens' data through improved coordination.

How to block a lost or stolen mobile
If your phone has been stolen or misplaced, follow these simple steps to block it across the country.

First, file a police report regarding the loss of the mobile at your nearest police station or on the state police's online citizen portal. Next, visit your telecom operator's store to get a duplicate SIM issued for the same number. According to TRAI regulations, SMS services on the new SIM become active after 24 hours, which you will need for receiving OTPs.

Keep these necessary documents ready.
A copy of the police report; a valid identity proof such as a Voter ID, Driving License, Passport, etc.; and the mobile purchase bill (if available).
Fill out the form on the Sanchar Saathi portal.

Visit the official website www.sancharsaathi.gov.in or open the app and click on 'Block Lost or Stolen Mobile'. Enter details about your mobile—such as the IMEI number, mobile number, location of loss, date, and police complaint number—into the form. Upload your identity proof and a copy of the FIR, then submit the form after entering the OTP received on your newly issued SIM number.

What happens after submitting the form?
Upon submission, you will receive a unique Request ID. Keep this safe; you can use it to track the status of your application on the portal. Once your request is processed, the mobile handset will be completely blocked across all telecom networks in the country, and no other SIM card will function in it.

If anyone attempts to switch on the blocked phone or insert a SIM card into it, a location tracking report will be instantly generated and automatically shared with the police, making it much easier for them to recover the device. Once the police have recovered your phone, you can unblock it by entering your Request ID on this same portal.

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