📱 CEIR Portal Success: Stolen Phones Tracked and Returned Across India
If you've ever lost your mobile phone and thought it was gone forever, think again. A government-backed initiative — the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) Portal — is transforming how lost or stolen smartphones are tracked and returned. Since its nationwide rollout in May 2023, the portal has helped recover over 19.44 lakh (1.94 million) devices and continues to bring hope to users across the country.
CEIR operates on a simple but powerful idea: every mobile phone has a unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. When a phone is reported stolen or lost:
The IMEI is blocked via the CEIR portal, rendering the phone useless across all Indian mobile networks.
If someone inserts a new SIM card, the system detects the change and alerts law enforcement.
Police then trace the user and recover the phone, often delivering it back via courier services.
Many recovered devices are being returned by courier to their rightful owners. For example, in Ghaziabad, over 1,200 stolen or lost mobile phones have been returned in the last two years. Some were even traced from far-off states, as thieves often sell phones outside the original region to avoid detection.
One such case involved a man from Pulwama who unknowingly bought a stolen phone and, after being contacted by police, voluntarily returned it via courier. In another case, Binod Kumar Gupta, who lost his phone during a bus trip in 2023, was amazed when police returned it in April 2025, complete with his documents and banking apps intact.
| State | Phones Traced | Phones Recovered | Recovery Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telangana | 1,89,942 | 78,868 | 41.6% |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 3,728 | 1,529 | 41.0% |
| Rajasthan | 1,65,369 | 26,518 | 16.0% |
| Karnataka | 6,05,480 | 78,350 | 12.9% |
| Mizoram | 1,55,480 | 48,580 | 31.2% |
| Gujarat | 56,582 | 8,816 | 15.6% |
| Andhra Pradesh | 6,84,047 | 24,203 | 3.5% |
| Meghalaya | 6,547 | 1,425 | 21.7% |
| Tamil Nadu | 77,566 | 25,865 | 33.2% |
| Chhattisgarh | 58,670 | 10,595 | 18.0% |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1,14,756 | 28,720 | 25.0% |
| Total (India) | 1,94,46,661 | 4,35,039 | 22.4% |
If you've lost your phone, here’s how to use the CEIR portal effectively:
File an FIR at your nearest police station.
Find your IMEI number:
Dial *#06# from the phone (if available),
Or check the device box/invoice.
Visit the official CEIR Portal.
Select the “Block Stolen/Lost Mobile” option.
Fill in details including:
Mobile number
IMEI number
FIR details
Your name and address
Complete OTP verification.
Once submitted, your phone will be blocked across all Indian networks. If your phone is later recovered, the portal also provides an unblock option.
According to police officer Alok Priyadarshi from Ghaziabad, the process can take weeks or months. Phones often go offline or travel across state lines. But once a new SIM is inserted, they receive a notification via CEIR, allowing them to take swift action.
Nationwide coordination with telecom companies and law enforcement.
Helps curb mobile phone resale black markets.
Reduces usage of stolen phones for fraudulent or criminal activities.
Encourages people to report lost devices without delay.
Don’t lose hope if your phone is stolen — CEIR gives you a real chance of getting it back. With over 19 lakh successful recoveries, this digital tool is proving to be one of the most effective government tech initiatives in recent years.
