Pop-up alert on mobile phones signals launch of India’s indigenous emergency messaging system

The Government of India recently launched the indigenous Cell Broadcast System to alert citizens at the time of disasters.. Following the launch , millions of mobile users across the country received a test message of ‘extremely severe alert’ on Saturday. The  phone pop-up alert was a test message, so people have been advised not to panic.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with Communication minister Jyotiradtiya Scindia launched the system on May 2, as per the statement released by Department of Telecommunication (DoT) on X. 

The instant alert system called SACHET is an Integrated Alert System developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT). This system is based on the Common Alerting Protocol recommended by the International Telecommunication Union. This system is currently operational in 36 states and Union Territories of India. 

On Saturday, mobile users across the country received the message titled ‘Extremely severe alert’ followed by the text, “India launches Cell Broadcast using indigenous technology, for instant disaster alerting service for its citizens. Alert citizens, safe nation. No action is required by the public upon receipt of this message. This is a test message. - Government of India.”

The government said that the system is designed to deliver critical information during natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and lightning strikes, as well as man-made crises including gas leaks and chemical hazards. In this system, Cell Broadcast technology is introduced alongside SMS.

Unlike regular SMS notification, cell broadcast alerts are designed to grab immediate attention which produces a sharp alarm sound along with a prominent on-screen message, ensuring that users are notified even when their devices are on silent or do-not-disturb modes. 

The system has been extensively utilised 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, according to PIB release.