India Tightens Compliance Norms for Standalone Hard Disk Drives

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued an important amendment to the Electronics and Information Technology Goods (Requirements for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2021, impacting standalone hard disk drives (HDDs) across India.

Published in The Gazette of India on May 5, 2026, the notification updates the compliance entry for S. No. 50, covering standalone HDDs. USB-type external drives will continue under previous regulations, while all other standalone HDDs must now comply with the new registration requirements starting November 5, 2026.

The amendment references IS 13252: Part 1: 2010, which sets general safety requirements for information technology equipment. Issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016, the notification underscores India’s focus on safety, quality, and standardization in the IT hardware sector.

Industry Impact:
This regulatory update is particularly significant for hard drive manufacturers, importers, and distributors operating in India. Companies are advised to review their product portfolios and ensure mandatory registration compliance ahead of the November deadline.

With the Indian IT hardware market expanding rapidly, adherence to such regulatory norms is expected to improve consumer trust, product safety, and industry accountability.