Short answer: In February 2026, MeitY clarified that STQC will issue the security test report under the Essential Requirements (ER) of the Compulsory Registration Order (CRO). That same report now counts for the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order (PPP-MII). So one security test serves both routes, and BIS ER registration is the main thing to look for in a CCTV camera.
If you buy CCTV cameras for a project, you have probably seen “STQC certified” and “BIS ER registered” used as if they meant the same thing, or as if you needed both. Until early 2026, there were indeed two parallel processes. This guide explains each term, shows what the government changed, and tells you how to check a brand yourself. Everything below comes from the official circular, not from marketing claims.
Key terms in plain words
BIS: The Bureau of Indian Standards. It runs the Compulsory Registration Scheme, where manufacturers register their products.
STQC: The Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification Directorate under MeitY. It tests and certifies electronics and IT products.
ER (Essential Requirements): The security rules a CCTV camera must meet.
CRO: The Electronics and IT Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021.
PPP-MII: The government buying order that gives preference to Indian-made goods and sets value addition rules.
How we got here
6 March 2024: MeitY notified CCTV cameras under PPP-MII for value addition and security ER. The order took effect on 7 June 2024.
9 April 2024: CCTV cameras were added to the CRO for security ER, on top of the existing safety standard IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010. It took effect on 9 April 2025.
PPP-MII route: The security test report came from STQC or another agency notified by MeitY, and it stayed valid for three years. STQC then began issuing certificates under its IoT System Certification Scheme (IoTSCS).
CRO route: STQC also issued test reports so manufacturers could get registration.
STQC vs BIS ER: side-by-side comparison
STQC and BIS ER are not rivals. BIS ER is a registration, and STQC is a testing body. They sit in the same process, which is why they got mixed up.
Point | BIS ER (CRO route) | STQC (PPP-MII route) |
What it is | Registration with BIS under the Compulsory Registration Scheme | Testing and certification by a MeitY directorate |
Governing order | Electronics and IT Goods (Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021 | Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order |
Where it applies | Covered CCTV cameras made and sold in India | Government and public procurement |
In force since | 9 April 2025 | 7 June 2024 |
Security rules | Essential Requirements for Security | The same Essential Requirements for Security |
Other requirement | Safety standard IS 13252 (Part 1): 2010 | Value addition (Made in India content), checked separately |
Who tests security | STQC issues the test report | STQC or another agency notified by MeitY |
Test report validity | Check each model’s record on the BIS portal | Three years from the date of issue |
What you can verify | R-Number and model list on the BIS CRS portal | STQC’s older PPO certified list for network cameras (no longer updated) |
Status after 4 Feb 2026 | The STQC security test report under CRO ER also applies to PPP-MII | Same report is accepted. The security certificate has no link to value addition |
Sources: MeitY circular February 2026 and the STQC IoTSCS page.
What changed in February 2026
MeitY noted that the security requirements are the same under both orders, so it moved to one process.
STQC now issues the security test report as per the CRO Essential Requirements, and that report is applicable for PPP-MII compliance.
The security certification from STQC has no connection to the value addition rule in PPP-MII.
STQC says its certified list of network cameras under the older PPO certification is no longer updated and is kept only for historical reference.
You can read the full text in the MeitY circular dated 4 February 2026.
What this means for buyers
Government and tender buyers: Ask for the BIS registration details and the model number. Then read your tender document, because its wording decides what is accepted.
System integrators: Fewer duplicate documents per project. Pick a BIS ER certified CCTV brand in India and match every model number to the register before you quote.
Private and enterprise buyers: You are not required to understand tender rules, but a model that appears on the BIS register has been through the government’s security test.
What has not changed
Approval is per model. A brand can have some certified models and some that are not. Always check the exact model number.
Value addition is separate. A security certificate does not prove how much of a camera is made in India.
STQC still tests. The test report is still the base of the process. Only the duplicate certificate path was removed.
Tender wording rules. If your tender asks for a specific document, follow it.
How to check a brand’s BIS ER registration yourself
Open the BIS CRS record. As an example, here is the official BIS registration record for HiFocus.
Confirm the manufacturer name and the R-Number. Ours is R-61006165.
Scroll to “Models Complying with Essential Requirements for Security.”
Look for your exact model number and its date of grant.
If a brand cannot share its R-Number, treat that as a warning sign. Our own step-by-step explanation is in our main guide to BIS ER certification.
Where HiFocus fits
HiFocus is a Chennai-based CCTV camera company in India. We offer CCTV solutions across HD, IP, PTZ, and ANPR cameras, recorders, and software, along with AI cameras and AI video search. As of 22 October 2026, we hold 70+ BIS ER registered camera models under R-61006165. For bulk orders, see how to buy CCTV cameras in wholesale.
You can learn more about us, explore our solutions by industry, or contact our team with your model numbers. We will confirm status in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Is STQC certification still needed for CCTV cameras?
STQC still tests CCTV cameras. Since the 2026 circular, its security test report under the CRO Essential Requirements also applies to PPP-MII. The circular does not describe a separate second security certificate. Always follow the wording of your tender.
What is BIS ER in simple words?
It means a CCTV camera model is registered with BIS and meets the Essential Requirements for security under the CRO, along with the safety standard.
Is one test report enough for CRO and PPP-MII?
For security, yes. MeitY said the STQC test report issued under the CRO ER is applicable for PPP-MII compliance.
Does an STQC security certificate prove a camera is Made in India?
No. MeitY states that security certification has no link to the value addition requirement in PPP-MII.
How long is the STQC test report valid?
Under PPP-MII, the circular says the STQC test report is valid for three years from the date of issue.
How do I check if a camera model is BIS ER registered?
Open the manufacturer’s record on the BIS CRS portal, find the R-Number, and match your model number in the security list. Our BIS record shows how it looks.