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The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued an advisory temporarily suspending Cell Broadcast (CB). It is a precautionary measure and will remain in place until further notice. Though authorities have not disclosed any specific reason for the suspension, officials hinted that a technical and procedural review was the reason behind the decision.
The CB system is used to broadcast emergency alerts during natural disasters and other emergencies. The messages are sent directly to mobile phones. The CB service differs from a conventional messaging service, reaching millions of people via mobile phones without relying on the Internet. The CB service will be unavailable during this temporary suspension issued by NDMA.
The suspension is temporary while authorities review the system’s functionality and operational protocols. The officials said that the updated restoration of CB service will be shared, subject to further direction from NDMA.
India launched the nationwide Cell Broadcast Service (CBS) in May 2026 as a major upgrade to enhance the disaster management and emergency communication infrastructure. The system is equipped to deliver real-time, large-scale updates through mobile phones and uses geo-targeting to reach people located in the disaster-prone area.
The CB was inaugurated by India’s Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia. At the launch, Scindia described CBS as a transformative step in India’s disaster management framework.
"The launch of the Cell Broadcast System marks a transformative step in India's disaster management framework, reflecting our shift from a reactive to a proactive approach in safeguarding citizens," Scindia said.
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This special initiative enables a more proactive approach focused on protecting citizens through early warnings and rapid information dissemination. CBS was developed in collaboration with NDMA and the Ministry of Home Affairs.
According to the Ministry of Communications, CBS can reach millions of people instantly, ensuring warnings are delivered without delay. The system is designed to address delays and network congestion during emergencies.
Officials added that the CBS is designed to withstand heavy network loads and remain functional during emergencies, proving itself highly reliable. The emergency distress message will appear as a priority pop-up notification with a loud alert tone. The alerts can also be read aloud on supported devices, improving accessibility for users. The temporary suspension comes only a few weeks after the service's nationwide launch.
