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DoT Tests Indigenous Cell Broadcast System for Unmissable Alerts, Augments SACHET (134 Billion SMS Sent)

PolityScience & TechSUPPORT
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
02 May 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:May 2, 2026134 billion SMS alertsOver 19 languagesAll 36 states and UTs
Bodies:Department of Telecommunications (DoT)National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT)International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
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What This Article Covers

1.The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) tested an indigenously developed 'Cell Broadcast' system on May 2, 2026, sending a test alert to almost all citizens.

2.The new system provides one-to-many, unmissable alerts with sound, unlike the existing SACHET system which uses one-to-one SMS and is based on the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP).

3.This technological upgrade is crucial for UPSC aspirants in Science & Tech and Disaster Management, testing knowledge of CAP, C-DOT, and the difference between SMS and cell broadcast.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The government has successfully tested an indigenously developed 'Cell Broadcast' system for sending unmissable, one-to-many alerts to all mobile phones in a geographic area during disasters. This new technology, developed by C-DOT, will augment the existing SACHET SMS-based alert system which has already disseminated 134 billion messages.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Test DateMay 2, 2026 (Saturday at 11:42 AM)
SMS Alerts Disseminated134 Billion
Languages for AlertsOver 19
Operational CoverageAll 36 States & UTs

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Test Date: May 2, 2026 (Saturday at 11:42 AM)
  • ›SMS Alerts Disseminated: 134 Billion
  • ›Target this Data: 134 billion SMS alerts disseminated via SACHET.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) developed both SACHET and Cell Broadcast.
  • ›Target this Protocol: Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) is the basis for SACHET, recommended by ITU.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which organization developed both the SACHET SMS alert system and the new Cell Broadcast technology tested by the government?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the public alerting systems mentioned in the news:

1. The SACHET system is an SMS-based Integrated Alert System operational across all Indian states and Union Territories.

2. The Cell Broadcast technology sends alerts via a one-to-one channel, similar to traditional SMS.

3. The Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), on which SACHET is based, is a standard recommended by the International Telecommunication Union.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, approximately how many SMS alerts have been disseminated through the SACHET system till date?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary technological advantage of the newly tested Cell Broadcast system over the existing SACHET SMS-based alert system?

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