The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India, is actively enhancing mobile-based disaster communication systems across the country to ensure timely dissemination of critical information to its citizens.

NDMA has successfully operationalized the Integrated Alert System (SACHET), developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the premier R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications. The system is based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), as recommended by the International Telecommunication Union. It is currently operational across all 36 States and Union Territories of India and delivers disaster and emergency related alerts via SMS to mobile users within geo-targeted areas.

The system has been extensively utilized by disaster management authorities, enabling the dissemination of over 134 billion SMS alerts, till date, in more than 19 Indian languages during natural disasters, weather warnings, and cyclonic events.

To further strengthen alert dissemination in time-critical situations, such as tsunamis, earthquakes, lightning strikes and man-made emergencies like gas leaks or chemical hazards, Cell Broadcast (CB) technology has been introduced alongside SMS. In a Cell Broadcast System, alerts are transmitted to all mobile devices within a defined geographic area simultaneously, ensuring near real-time delivery of the alerts.

C-DOT has been entrusted with the indigenous development and implementation of this Cell Broadcast-based public emergency alert system.

As part of the pan-India rollout and the launch of the Cell Broadcast (CB) facility, nationwide testing and trials are currently being conducted to assess the system’s performance and reliability prior to its formal inauguration and dedication to the nation. During this period, members of the public may receive test messages in English, Hindi and regional languages on their mobile devices.

These “test messages” will only be received on mobile devices with Cell Broadcast test channels enabled (Users can enable or disable alerts through the following menu path on their mobile devices: Settings → Safety and emergency →Wireless emergency alerts →Test alerts). Recipients may receive multiple messages as part of the testing process to ensure proper functioning across the entire mobile network infrastructure.

These messages are part of a planned nationwide testing exercise and do not require any action by the recipients.

The content of the test message will be as follows:

English:

This is a TEST Cell Broadcast message sent by the National Disaster Management Authority in coordination with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India, as part of testing the Cell Broadcast solution for disseminating alerts. During the testing of the Cell Broadcast solution, you may receive this message multiple times on your mobile handset. Please ignore these message(s); no action is required at your end.

Hindi:

यह एक टेस्ट सेल ब्रॉडकास्ट संदेश है, जिसे राष्ट्रीय आपदा प्रबंधन प्राधिकरण (NDMA) ने दूरसंचार विभाग (DoT), भारत सरकार के साथ मिलकर सेल ब्रॉडकास्ट समाधान के परीक्षण के तहत भेजा है। परीक्षण के दौरान आपको यह संदेश अपने मोबाइल पर कई बार प्राप्त हो सकता है। कृपया इन संदेशों को अनदेखा करें, आपकी ओर से कोई कार्रवाई करने की आवश्यकता नहीं है।

Once successfully tested and operationalized, the CB system will be used to disseminate alerts in multiple Indian languages across all mobile handsets— regardless of test channel settings—ensuring a wide and inclusive public reach during actual emergencies.

DoT requests the co-operation of the public during this important testing phase and reiterates that all test messages during this period are purely for system validation purposes and no action is required from the recipient side.

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NJ/ARJ