India Surveillance Soc Growth

The surveillance industry, particularly the CCTV camera sector, is a critical component of India's security infrastructure, driven by urbanization, smart city initiatives, and rising security concerns. System on Chips (SoCs) are integral to these systems, enabling advanced functionalities like high-definition video processing, real-time analytics, and connectivity. India is witnessing a strategic shift towards self-reliance in this domain, fueled by government policies, market dynamics, and innovative companies.

Market Overview and Current Scenario

The CCTV camera market in India is experiencing robust growth driven by increasing demand for security solutions in urban areas and government-led smart city projects. The market size of India CCTV camera market is projected to expand from US$ 2.0 billion in 2025 to US$ 6.9 billion by 2032. However, the market landscape reveals a significant dependence on foreign technology, with Chinese companies like Hikvision and Dahua accounting for approximately 30% of the market share, while India's CP Plus holds a dominant market share among Indian players. A critical concern is that 80% of CCTV components, including semiconductors, are imported from China, raising security and espionage risks, especially given global tensions.

This reliance on imports underscores the need for indigenous SoC development to enhance national security and reduce vulnerabilities. The market's composition, with a mix of foreign and domestic players, highlights the opportunity for local innovation to capture a larger share, particularly in light of recent regulatory shifts aimed at promoting self-reliance.

Government Initiatives and Regulations

The Indian government has introduced several measures to foster a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem, aligning with the broader "Make in India" initiative. A significant development is the new security rules for CCTV cameras, effective from April 2025. These rules mandate that manufacturers of internet-connected CCTV models submit their hardware, software, and source code for assessment in government labs, such as India's Standardization Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate. The requirements include tamper-proof enclosures, strong malware detection, encryption, and factory inspections abroad for cyber vulnerabilities, aiming to address genuine security issues, particularly concerns over Chinese spying.

This regulation has sparked industry warnings of supply disruptions, with 342 applications pending still by the end of May 2025, and only 35 completed, potentially favoring local manufacturers who can comply more readily. Additionally, the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), launched in 2021 with a total outlay of INR 76,000 crore, is a pivotal initiative. The ISM, as outlined on its official website (ism.gov.in), aims to build a vibrant semiconductor and display ecosystem, enabling India to emerge as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design. A key component is the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, which offers financial incentives and design infrastructure support for developing semiconductor designs, including SoCs, over five years. This scheme is crucial for startups and companies focusing on surveillance applications, supporting the development of indigenous technology and local data storage solutions to ensure data sovereignty.

Other government efforts include investments in semiconductor manufacturing facilities, such as Tata Electronics' fab in Dholera, Gujarat, and CG Power's ATMP facility in Sanand, Gujarat, in partnership with Renesas and Stars Microelectronics, focusing on microcontrollers, analog chips, and SoCs. These initiatives are expected to create a robust ecosystem, reducing India's reliance on imports and enhancing its position in the global semiconductor market.

Key Companies in SoCs for Surveillance in India

BigEndiann Semiconductor, founded in 2024 and headquartered in Bangalore, is a fabless semiconductor startup focused on designing advanced SoCs for the global surveillance industry. The company raised US$ 3 million in seed funding from Vertex Ventures SEA & India, enabling it to expand its engineering team and R&D efforts.

In May 2025, BigEndiann partnered with Cadence Design Systems to launch Project VASU, a line of security-focused SoCs featuring secure booting, encryption, and one-time programmable firmware. These chips are designed for applications such as CCTV and video analytics, incorporating real-time behavioral mapping through interconnected camera networks. BigEndiann is working with OEMs and ODMs in India and abroad to deliver truly “Make in India” chipsets and reduce reliance on Chinese surveillance components.

Other Indian players are also making significant strides in surveillance SoCs. L&T Semiconductor Technologies, a division of L&T Group, is leveraging its expertise in defense electronics to develop indigenous chips, with reported collaborations in smart city surveillance and border security projects. In July 2024, it signed a Master Collaboration Agreement with CP Plus and MeitY to jointly develop secure IP and AI-enabled SoCs for CCTV applications.

Mindgrove Technologies, incubated at IIT Madras, launched India’s first commercial-grade RISC-V SoC, “Secure IoT,” aimed at edge AI and camera-based analytics, and has partnered with HCL, VVDN, and Bosch Global Software for co-development, design, and manufacturing support. These developments mark India’s push toward self-reliance in surveillance semiconductors and a reduction in dependence on foreign chipsets.

Future Outlook and Market Shaping Trends

India’s SoC market for surveillance is poised for significant growth, driven by rising demand for secure, localized chip solutions in public safety, smart city infrastructure, and defense applications. The government’s push for self-reliance through “Make in India” and “Design in India” initiatives, coupled with restrictions on Chinese imports, has opened critical gaps for domestic players to fill. Emerging Indian startups and established electronics giants are stepping in to develop secure, AI-ready SoCs tailored for video analytics, facial recognition, and behavioral mapping which is vital for modern surveillance systems.

In the coming years, partnerships between semiconductor startups, OEMs, ODMs, and policy institutions will play a key role in accelerating commercialization. With increasing deployment of edge computing, AI, and integrated camera networks, India is well-positioned to become a hub for surveillance-focused semiconductor innovation, catering not only to domestic needs but also global demand.