Gujarat recovers 50.75% of lost mobile phones via CEIR, ranks 2nd nationally
Synopsis
Gujarat has clawed back more than half of all lost and stolen phones reported through the CEIR portal — well above the national average of 37.4% — placing it second only to Andhra Pradesh among major states. A nearly 10-percentage-point improvement in a single year signals that its police-telecom coordination model is working, and may offer a replicable blueprint for lagging states.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat has recovered 50.75% of lost and stolen mobile phones via the CEIR portal , ranking 2nd among major populated states as of 26 October 2026 .
A total of 2,38,533 handsets have been blocked; 74,823 have been returned to owners.
Gujarat's recovery rate exceeds the national average of 37.4% by over 13 percentage points .
Recovery improved from 41% in October 2025 to 50.75% — a gain of 9.75 percentage points in one year.
Anand district ranked first in Gujarat for H1 FY2026-27; top officers were awarded at a ceremony on 27 October 2026 .
The initiative is credited with improving citizen services and curbing cyber fraud across the state.
Gujarat has recovered 50.75% of lost and stolen mobile phones traced through the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, placing the state second among major populated states in the country, behind only Andhra Pradesh, according to data analysed up to 26 October 2026. The figure substantially outpaces the national average recovery rate of 37.4%.
Key Numbers Behind Gujarat's Performance
A total of 2,38,533 mobile handsets have been blocked in Gujarat through the CEIR system to date. Of these, 1,47,427 have been traced, and 74,823 have been successfully returned to their rightful owners, according to the state government. The recovery rate marks a significant improvement from 41% recorded in October 2025 — a rise of 9.75 percentage points in just one year.
What the CEIR Portal Does
The CEIR portal, operated by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), enables citizens to report lost or stolen mobile phones for blocking and tracing. Blocking a handset restricts its further use, helping prevent misuse and curbing cyber fraud. The system functions through coordinated effort between Gujarat Police and the DoT's Gujarat Licensed Service Area (LSA).
Officers Recognised for Best-District Performance
On 27 October 2026, the DoT's Gujarat LSA, in coordination with Gujarat Police, held a ceremony honouring nodal officers from top-performing districts. Performance was assessed for the first half of financial year 2026-27, covering 1 April to 30 September.
Anand district ranked first, Dang district second, and Ahmedabad city third. Police Inspector Jaymin Dodia of the Cyber Cell in Anand secured the top individual rank. Police Sub-Inspector J.G. Anadka of the Local Crime Branch in Dang ranked second, while Assistant Sub-Inspector Bhaveshkumar Vishnuprasad and Police Constable Hardiksinh Jayantilal of Ahmedabad city jointly placed third. The officers were presented with shields and certificates of appreciation.
The ceremony was attended by Dr K.L.N. Rao, Director General of Police, CID Crime and Railways, and Girish Kataria, Additional Director General of the DoT's Gujarat LSA.
Why This Matters for Citizens and Cyber Safety
Lost and stolen mobile phones are a well-documented gateway for cyber fraud, SIM-swap attacks, and identity theft. By blocking handsets at the IMEI level, the CEIR system severs this link. The state government noted that the coordinated effort is helping improve citizen services, prevent misuse of lost devices, and reduce cyber fraud incidents across Gujarat. Notably, Gujarat's year-on-year improvement of nearly 10 percentage points suggests the model is maturing — and could serve as a template for states still below the national average.
What Happens Next
With Gujarat now second nationally, the focus will likely shift to closing the gap with Andhra Pradesh and pushing the return rate — currently at 74,823 handsets — closer to the 1,47,427 already traced. Expanding district-level nodal infrastructure and faster inter-agency data sharing are seen as the next levers for improvement.
Point of View
But the more telling figure is the gap between phones traced (1,47,427) and phones actually returned (74,823) — barely half of those located make it back to their owners. Tracing a device and recovering it for the citizen are two different problems, and the current framework appears stronger on the former than the latter. The year-on-year improvement suggests the coordination model is working, but for the initiative to move from a law-enforcement metric to a citizen-service outcome, the state needs to focus on last-mile return logistics and public awareness so that people know to file a CEIR complaint in the first place.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CEIR portal and how does it help recover lost mobile phones?
The Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal, operated by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), allows citizens to report lost or stolen mobile phones for blocking and tracing using the device's IMEI number. Blocking prevents misuse while the tracing mechanism — coordinated with police — helps locate and return the device to its rightful owner.
How does Gujarat's mobile phone recovery rate compare to the national average?
Gujarat's recovery rate of 50.75% is significantly higher than the national average of 37.4% as of 26 October 2026. It places the state second among major populated states, behind only Andhra Pradesh.
How much has Gujarat's recovery rate improved over the past year?
Gujarat's CEIR recovery rate has risen from 41% in October 2025 to 50.75% by October 2026, an improvement of 9.75 percentage points in a single year. This reflects strengthened coordination between Gujarat Police and the DoT's Gujarat Licensed Service Area.
Which districts performed best in Gujarat for CEIR mobile phone recovery?
For the first half of financial year 2026-27 (April 1 to September 30), Anand district ranked first, Dang district second, and Ahmedabad city third. Nodal officers from these districts were honoured with shields and certificates at a ceremony on 27 October 2026.
How many mobile phones have been blocked and returned in Gujarat through CEIR?
A total of 2,38,533 mobile handsets have been blocked in Gujarat through the CEIR system. Of these, 1,47,427 have been traced and 74,823 have been successfully returned to their original owners, according to the state government.
