In this insightful interview, IT Voice speaks with Mr. Sanjeev Sehgal, the visionary behind SPARSH CCTV, India’s first indigenous CCTV manufacturing brand. With a journey rooted in innovation and national self-reliance, SPARSH has not only pioneered the domestic surveillance hardware industry but also championed the integration of emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and edge computing in video security. As a member of the BIS Committee and an active voice in India’s manufacturing transformation, Mr. Sehgal shares his journey, technological advances, and strategic roadmap for the future.
IT Voice- What was the inspiration behind founding SPARSH CCTV, and how did the journey begin?
Sanjeev Sehgal – I am an electronics engineer by qualification. My professional journey began with manufacturing telephone instruments and telecom equipment. Eventually, I moved on from a partnership business and decided to pursue something innovative. Back then, CCTV was considered a luxury—sophisticated and high-end. But I saw its immense future potential and founded SPARSH Security Technologies in 2002 as a proprietorship.
We began by manufacturing CCTV accessories like video amplifiers, power supplies, and video switchers. In 2008, our major breakthrough came when we partnered with Sony to develop India’s first designed and manufactured CCTV camera, laying the foundation for a truly Indian CCTV ecosystem. Since then, we’ve continued innovating—with the first DVR in 2011, first IP camera in 2012, fever detection cameras during COVID, explosion-proof variants, thermal solutions, and most recently, 5G cameras.
IT Voice- How is SPARSH leveraging cutting-edge technologies like AI, IoT, and edge computing in its surveillance solutions?
Sanjeev Sehgal – SPARSH today offers a comprehensive video surveillance portfolio, not just in hardware but also on the software side. We’ve made substantial investments in:
- Video Management Software (VMS) for centralized multi-location streaming.
- Advanced video analytics ranging from basic motion detection to high-end facial recognition.
Our face recognition algorithm currently ranks 27th globally in the NIST rankings, underscoring our accuracy and innovation.
A notable recent project is the Indian Railways’ new Jammu-Srinagar line, where SPARSH provided the entire surveillance solution—fixed cameras, PTZ units, explosion-proof cameras for tunnels, analytics like fire and smoke detection, train stoppage inside tunnels, and even coach counting, fully integrated with SCADA systems and central control.
We’re now embedding analytics on the edge side—on the camera itself. For example, in December, we launched an IoT-enabled camera that measures AQI, temperature, humidity, CO₂, and PM levels—all within the camera, transforming it into a real-time environmental monitoring device.
IT Voice- As a member of the BIS Committee, what are your views on the ER & STQC certification mandates for CCTV under the Make in India policy?
Sanjeev Sehgal – On March 6, 2024, MeitY issued a Public Procurement Order mandating that all government CCTV procurement adhere to Essential Requirements (ER) certified by STQC. This is a strong move under the Make in India initiative to ensure:
- Cybersecurity of CCTV devices.
- Trusted supply chains, meaning critical components must come from verified sources.
Many foreign-manufactured CCTVs were found to be streaming sensitive data abroad. With this certification, the government aims to tighten controls and promote domestic, secure, and transparent CCTV systems—something we at SPARSH fully support and comply with.
IT Voice- What are your thoughts on the government’s ₹23,000 crore budget under the Make in India campaign for electronics manufacturing?
Sanjeev Sehgal – This is a highly welcomed initiative. It’s a major step toward transforming India from a mere assembler of electronic goods to a full-scale manufacturer and designer of components.
Initially, electronics in India were assembled using SKD (semi-knocked down) and later CKD (completely knocked down) kits from neighboring countries. With this budget, we’re moving toward full-scale design and component manufacturing within India, which will create real value.
The policy aims to generate over 91,000 direct jobs and attract ₹59,000 crore in investments. SPARSH is also aligning with this by building a backward-integrated manufacturing unit in our EMC at Kashipur and applying under the new PLI scheme for telecom and CCTV components.
IT Voice- What are SPARSH’s plans for partner expansion in India?
Sanjeev Sehgal – Partners are the backbone of our ecosystem. We currently operate through two national distributors—Beetel and Iris—who handle institutional sales.
Looking ahead, we aim to:
- Appoint one regional distributor per state.
- Build a network of sub-regional distributors, dealers, and integrators.
Our target is to onboard over 1,000 channel partners across India within the next year, strengthening our presence in both metro and non-metro markets.
From being a pioneer in India’s CCTV space to developing the country’s first smart surveillance cameras, SPARSH CCTV has led by example in innovation, security, and indigenous manufacturing. Under the leadership of Mr. Sanjeev Sehgal, the brand has continually adapted to technological disruptions and policy reforms, ensuring its solutions remain future-ready. With a strong roadmap for expansion and a deep commitment to “Make in India,” SPARSH is poised to play a pivotal role in India’s transformation into a global electronics hub.
