Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Union Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia, will launch a nationwide mobile-based disaster communication system on May 2, 2026, aimed at enabling faster and more effective dissemination of emergency alerts to citizens.
The system, developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), is designed to deliver critical information during natural disasters and emergencies in real time.
At the core of this initiative is the Integrated Alert System, known as SACHET, which has already been operationalised across all 36 States and Union Territories. Developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the platform uses SMS-based alerts to send geo-targeted warnings to mobile users. The Ministry of Communications has so far disseminated over 134 billion SMS alerts in more than 19 Indian languages during disasters, weather warnings, and cyclonic events.
To enhance speed and reach in time-sensitive scenarios such as earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning strikes, and industrial hazards, the government has now introduced Cell Broadcast (CB) technology alongside the existing SMS system. Unlike traditional messaging, CB technology allows alerts to be transmitted simultaneously to all mobile devices within a specific geographic area, ensuring near-instant delivery.
As part of the rollout, a nationwide testing exercise will be conducted, during which mobile users in capital cities, including Delhi and the NCR, may receive test messages in English, Hindi, and regional languages. The Ministry has clarified that these are only test alerts, and no action is required from the public.
The Ministry has urged citizens not to panic upon receiving such messages, emphasizing that the initiative is part of efforts to strengthen India’s disaster preparedness and early warning capabilities through indigenous technology.
