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Received emergency mobile alert? Centre sounds mock message on smartphones, no action needed
Most mobile users across India received emergency alert messages on their phones on Saturday, May 2. This is a part of a nationwide testing exercise being conducted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
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Received emergency mobile alert? Centre sounds mock message on smartphones, no action needed
Reported By: Ambarish Pandey
Written By: ZeeBiz WebTeam
Updated: Sat, May 02, 2026
12:56 PM IST
12:56 PM IST
New Delhi, ZeeBiz WebDesk
Most mobile users across India received emergency alert messages on their phones on Saturday, May 2, as part of a nationwide testing exercise being conducted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Authorities have clarified that these are test messages and do not require any action from the public.
Cell Broadcast Alert System launched
Union Communications and DoNER Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Saturday officially launched the Cell Broadcast Alert System, developed in collaboration with the NDMA under the guidance of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The advanced system is designed to ensure that critical information related to disasters, emergencies, and public safety can be delivered instantly to citizens’ mobile phones.
TRENDING NOW
If you receive a message like this on your phone, it is a test alert as part of India’s new nationwide mobile-based Disaster Communication System, developed by the @cdot_india team at @DoT_India with @ndmaindia, using cell broadcast technology.
This system will henceforth be… pic.twitter.com/eweuvJA12r
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) May 2, 2026
Pan-India testing underway
As part of a large-scale mock drill, alerts are being sent to crores of mobile users across the country simultaneously to test the system’s reach and efficiency.
During the test, users reported receiving emergency alert messages accompanied by a beep sound, highlighting how the system will function in real-world scenarios.
The government is strengthening its disaster communication network through an indigenous Cell Broadcast (CB) system, developed using Made-in-India technology. The system delivers real-time emergency alerts for different hazardous situations which include earthquakes, tsunamis, lightning strikes and chemical hazards.
Mock alerts are being sent in English, Hindi, and regional languages. Officials said users may receive these messages multiple times during the testing phase and are advised not to panic.
What is the new alert system?
The alert system is part of the Integrated Alert System (SACHET), developed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT). It is based on the globally accepted Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and is already operational across all 36 states and Union Territories.
So far, the system has enabled authorities to send over 134 billion SMS alerts in more than 19 Indian languages during natural disasters and extreme weather events.
Why Cell Broadcast matters?
Cell Broadcast technology enables authorities to deliver messages to all mobile phones located within a defined geographical area. This system provides emergency warnings with delivery times that approach real-time actual delivery.
The alerts display as mobile screen pop-up notifications which remain visible until they are manually closed by users. Users must read the alert before they can dismiss it because emergency alerts need to be acknowledged before they can be removed from the system, ensuring that critical warnings are not missed during real emergencies.
The new CB-based system is expected to significantly improve the speed and reach of emergency alerts once fully operational.
Why are you receiving these alerts?
The government is currently undertaking a nationwide trial of the system's effectiveness, dependability, and coverage prior to its official rollout. During this phase:
- There may be more than one test alert sent to users
- Various languages may be used for messages
- Alerts may stay on screen until acknowledged
- Only those devices that have test alerts enabled will receive alerts
No action required
Authorities have emphasised that these alerts are only part of testing and do not indicate any real emergency.
In a public advisory, the government stated that citizens should not panic if they receive such notifications and should simply ignore them after viewing.
Public cooperation sought
The DoT has requested public assistance during the system testing period, highlighting that the system will help save lives by delivering timely emergency information during disasters.
This marks a significant step towards ensuring faster and more effective dissemination of critical information during disasters and emergencies.
Once fully operational, the Cell Broadcast system will send alerts to all mobile users, irrespective of device settings. This is expected to ensure wider reach and improved preparedness during emergencies.
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