IT Ministry Takes Over Mobile Device Safety Discussions from DoT

• The IT and electronics ministry (Meity) has assumed responsibility for discussions on safety standards in mobile phones and communication devices.
• This move shifts the role from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to meet requirements under a telecom security assurance norm.
• Meity is consulting stakeholders under the Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR), framed by NCCS under DoT.
• ITSAR covers safety standards for telecom network gear, including software updates and source code of communication devices.
• Industry players, including ICEA, view this as a routine, transparent consultation process, with no immediate mandate being pressed by the government.

Why It Matters: Meity now leads mobile device safety talks, a routine consultation for industry under telecom security norms.