Last updated: October 2026.
Photo by Arturo Añez on Unsplash
Cheap chargers are sold everywhere in India, from roadside stalls to online marketplaces, and many look almost identical to the brand-name original. A fake charger is not just a waste of money: it can damage your phone's battery or cause a shock or fire. This guide shows you how to check a charger's BIS registration in a couple of minutes using the official BIS CARE app, what a proper label should show, and what to do if you have bought a fake.
Why BIS registration matters for chargers
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) runs a Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for many electronic and IT products. Under this scheme, a manufacturer has to get each product model tested at a BIS-recognised lab and registered before it can be sold in India. On the official list of products under this scheme, BIS includes power adapters for IT equipment (standard IS 13252 Part 1), power adapters for audio, video and similar electronic equipment (IS 616) and power banks (IS 13252 Part 1). Phone chargers are power adapters, so a legitimate charger sold in India should carry a BIS registration.
Each registration has a unique number that starts with R- followed by eight digits (for example, R-41XXXXXX). This "R-number" is what you will verify.
The safety risk is real
Inside a charger, mains electricity at around 230 volts is converted to the low voltage your phone uses. A well-made charger keeps a safe gap and proper insulation between those two sides. Counterfeit chargers often cut corners here. In a 2016 test commissioned by UK Trading Standards, safety firm UL examined 400 fake Apple chargers and found that only three had adequate insulation against electric shock. Poor insulation, missing protection circuits and weak components can lead to overheating, swollen batteries, fires or shocks.
What a genuine charger's label should show
BIS registration letters require the "Standard Mark" to be printed on the product, its packaging, or both, and to be visible, legible and hard to remove. Look at the charger body and the box for these details:
| What to look for | What it means |
|---|---|
| BIS Standard Mark (the CRS logo) | Shows the product claims registration under the Compulsory Registration Scheme. |
| R-number, e.g. R-XXXXXXXX | The unique registration number you can check in the BIS CARE app. |
| IS number, e.g. IS 13252 (Part 1) | The Indian Standard the charger was tested against. |
| Brand name and model number | Must match the model registered against that R-number. |
| Input and output ratings | For example "Input: 100–240V ~ 50/60Hz" and the output voltage/current or wattage. |
| Manufacturer or importer details | Name and address of the maker or the authorised Indian representative. |
Some brands also print a QR code on the charger or box. Label layout varies between brands, and small chargers may carry some details only on the packaging, so check both.
How to verify the R-number with the BIS CARE app
BIS CARE is the official free app from the Bureau of Indian Standards. It is available on the Google Play Store for Android and on the App Store for iPhone. Menu names below are based on BIS's own description of the app; the exact wording can change slightly between app versions.
- Install BIS CARE from the Play Store or App Store. Check that the developer is listed as Bureau of Indian Standards.
- Open the app and complete the one-time registration with your name and mobile number. You will receive an OTP to confirm. Email is optional.
- Find the CRS section and tap Verify R-No under CRS.
- Type the eight digits of the R-number printed on your charger and tap Go.
- Read the result. The app shows the registered manufacturer's details and information about the registered product.
- Compare the result with your charger. The brand, the product category (power adapter) and, where shown, the model number should match what is printed on your charger.
How to read the result
- Everything matches: The registration is genuine for that model. This is a strong sign, though it cannot prove that your specific unit is not a copy carrying a real number.
- No record found: Re-check the digits. If it still fails, the number is likely fake.
- The record belongs to a different brand or product: Someone has copied another company's R-number. Treat the charger as fake.
- Registration shows as expired or cancelled: Do not trust the product, especially if it was bought recently.
The app also has a Registered Manufacturer under CRS option, which lets you search by product category and filter by brand. This is useful if the R-number on your charger is smudged or missing and you want to see whether a brand has any registered adapter models at all.
Warning signs of a fake or unsafe charger
A valid R-number is the most reliable check, but counterfeiters sometimes print real numbers copied from genuine products. Use these physical checks as well:
- Very low price. A "fast charger" claiming the same wattage as the brand original at a fraction of the price is a red flag.
- Light weight or hollow feel. Fakes often leave out internal components, so they feel lighter than expected and sound hollow when tapped.
- Poor printing. Blurry text, spelling mistakes, wrong logos, a missing BIS mark or missing R-number and IS number.
- Rough build. Uneven seams, a loose casing, a USB port that sits crooked, or plug pins with an uneven finish or unusual size.
- Too hot to hold. Chargers get warm in normal use, but one that becomes too hot to touch comfortably, smells of burning plastic, buzzes or crackles should be unplugged straight away.
- Slow or unstable charging. Charging that keeps stopping and starting, or a "fast charging" claim that the phone never recognises.
- Missing packaging details. No manufacturer or importer address, no model number, or a box that does not match the brand's usual packaging.
If you are unsure what the original looks like, compare against a charger bought from the brand's own store or website, or the product images on the brand's official site.
Buying tips to avoid fakes
- Buy from the phone brand's official store or website, authorised retailers, or a marketplace listing sold directly by the brand.
- Before paying in a shop, ask to see the label and check the R-number in BIS CARE on the spot. It takes less than a minute.
- Keep the bill. You will need it if you complain later.
- Remember that chargers from other reputable brands can be perfectly safe, as long as they are BIS registered and rated for your phone.
What to do if your charger is fake
- Stop using it. Unplug it and keep it away from children. Do not use it "just for emergencies".
- Collect evidence. Take clear photos of the label, R-number and packaging, and a screenshot of the BIS CARE result. Keep the bill or order details.
- Complain to BIS. In the BIS CARE app, use the Complaints section. You can report misuse of the Registration (CRS) Mark and quality problems with products, attach evidence, and track the complaint with the number the app gives you. The BIS website also has an online complaint registration page.
- Contact the National Consumer Helpline (NCH). Call 1915 or 1800-11-4000 (8 am to 8 pm, except national holidays), send a WhatsApp or SMS to 8800001915, or file online at consumerhelpline.gov.in. NCH forwards your complaint to the seller or company and gives you a docket number for tracking.
- Ask the seller for a refund. For online orders, raise a return or complaint with the marketplace, mentioning that the product appears counterfeit. If NCH does not resolve it, you can approach the appropriate Consumer Commission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BIS CARE app free and official?
Yes. It is published by the Bureau of Indian Standards and is free on both Android and iPhone. You only need a mobile number to register.
Does a valid R-number guarantee my charger is genuine?
Not completely. It confirms that the registration exists and which brand it belongs to. Counterfeiters can copy a real number, so also check the brand and model match, and look for the physical warning signs.
What is the difference between the ISI mark and the CRS mark?
Both come from BIS. Many electronic products such as phone adapters fall under the Compulsory Registration Scheme and use an R-number, while products under BIS licensing use a CM/L licence number. The BIS CARE app can verify both, using separate options.
Can I complain if I bought the fake charger online?
Yes. Complain to the marketplace first, then file with the National Consumer Helpline and report the product through BIS CARE if it misuses the BIS mark.
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