Indigenous Cell Broadcast System for disaster alerts launched with nationwide test
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on 2 May 2026 launched the Cell Broadcast System, an indigenous public-warning technology developed by C-DOT with NDMA and the Home Ministry, and a nationwide test sent emergency alerts to mobile phones across the country.
Summary
The Cell Broadcast System (CBS), an indigenous telecom-based public warning system developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) under the Department of Telecommunications with the National Disaster Management Authority and the Ministry of Home Affairs, was launched by Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on 2 May 2026. CBS sends simultaneous, geo-targeted alerts to all mobile phones in a defined area, down to individual cell towers, within seconds and without network congestion; it is integrated with the CAP-based SACHET platform, works on 2G to 5G networks, reaches roaming users, and its alerts cannot be disabled by users. A nationwide test was conducted the same day, and Scindia also presented the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar and released disaster-management guidelines and a handbook.
Key facts
- System
- Cell Broadcast System (CBS) ā indigenous public warning system
- Developer
- C-DOT (DoT) with NDMA and MHA
- Integration
- CAP-based SACHET platform
- Features
- Geo-targeted to cell-tower level; 2Gā5G; cannot be disabled by users
- Also
- Nationwide test; Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar presented
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Which organisation developed the indigenous Cell Broadcast System launched on 2 May 2026?
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Correct answer: B ā Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)
CBS was developed by C-DOT under the Department of Telecommunications in collaboration with NDMA and MHA.
The Cell Broadcast System launched in May 2026 is integrated with which CAP-based alert platform?
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Correct answer: C ā SACHET
CBS is integrated with the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP)-based SACHET platform for standardised dissemination of alerts.
Consider the following statements about the Cell Broadcast System (CBS) launched in May 2026: 1. Alerts can be geo-targeted down to the level of individual cell towers. 2. Users cannot disable CBS alerts on their phones. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C ā Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: CBS can target individual cell towers or clusters, and its alerts cannot be disabled by users.
Which award for disaster management was presented at the launch of the Cell Broadcast System on 2 May 2026?
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Correct answer: D ā Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia presented the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar to individuals and organisations at the launch.