Standalone Hard Disk Drives Added to Compulsory Registration Scheme — CRS Compliance Required from 5 November 2026
On 5 May 2026, MeitY issued S.O. 2204(E) amending the CRS Order, 2021. The amendment does two things: it replaces the product description at S. No. 50 of the CRS…
What changed
On 5 May 2026, MeitY issued S.O. 2204(E) amending the CRS Order, 2021. The amendment does two things: it replaces the product description at S. No. 50 of the CRS Schedule with “Standalone Hard Disk Drives”, and it sets 5 November 2026 as the compliance date for all standalone HDDs other than USB Type external drives.
The applicable Indian Standard is IS 13252: Part 1: 2010, Information Technology Equipment Safety, Part 1: General Requirements. This is the same standard that applies across most IT hardware under the CRS regime.
Two categories, two rules
USB Type External Hard Disk Drives: Already covered under existing notified provisions of the CRS Order. No change. Registration obligations for this sub-category remain as previously notified.
All Other Standalone Hard Disk Drives: Now explicitly brought under CRS with a compliance deadline of 5 November 2026. If you manufacture or import standalone HDDs internal drives, NAS drives, bare drives, or any non-USB external form factor and do not already hold a CRS R-number for this product, you are required to obtain one before that date.
Why the wording change matters
The original S. No. 50 entry used a broader description. The substitution to “Standalone Hard Disk Drives” clarifies the product boundary: it excludes USB Type external HDDs (handled separately) and focuses the obligation on drives that operate independently of a USB interface the category most commonly imported as components or sold as bare units.
For importers filing Bills of Entry, the product description on the CRS certificate must now match “Standalone Hard Disk Drives” as it appears in the amended schedule. A certificate issued under the prior, broader description should be reviewed for continued validity with your BIS liaison.
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This news update is for guidance only. Verify with a qualified compliance advisor before acting.