The Centre launched and tested a nationwide Cell Broadcast System (CBS) on Saturday to send emergency warnings instantly to mobile phones. Users across India received test alerts around noon. Unlike SMS, these messages deliver almost instantly even during network congestion.
Communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia launched the nationwide Cell Broadcast System (CBS) on Saturday. It was developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the ministry of home affairs, a press release said.
Users across the country received test alerts around noon, with a pop-up titled ‘Extremely severe alert’. The message read: “India, launches Cell Broadcast using indigenous technology, for instant disaster alerting service for its citizens. Alert citizens, safe nation. No action is required by the public upon receipt of this message. This is a test message. - Government of India.” Scindia said in a video post on X, loosely translated from Hindi: “Whenever a disaster strikes our country, the integration of human resources and technology has been brought together today to ensure the safety of 1.4 billion people… It does not require any phone database or data system, and is completely operator-agnostic.”
The new system builds on the existing Integrated Alert System or SACHET platform, which has sent over 134 billion SMS alerts in more than 19 languages. CBS targets time-sensitive situations like earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning strikes or industrial accidents. It works across 2G to 5G networks, reaches roaming users, and cannot be turned off during actual emergencies.
Trials have been conducted across states, with the system used in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and during the Char Dham Yatra. The DoT said on X: “This initiative reflects a continued commitment to building a more responsive and resilient communication ecosystem for citizens across the country.”
