SANDES app launched by Indian Government.
                     SANDES app launched by 
Indian Government
INTRODUCTIO
N
• The National Informatics Centre 
(NIC) of India has launched an 
instant messaging app just like 
WhatsApp for government 
employees called Sandes. 
Source: www.firstpost.com
UPGRADE 
VERSION
• Notably, this app is an upgrade to 
NIC's existing Government Instant 
Messaging System (GIMS) app.
Source: www.firstpost.com
HOW TO USE 
IT?
• The app is currently not available 
for download on PlayStore but the 
APK file for bot android and iOS 
users is available for download on 
the NIC website. 
• To use the Sandes app, the user 
needs to have a government ID.
Source: www.firstpost.com
MENDATE 
GOVT ID 
• Anyone can download the app on 
their smartphone and sign up 
with a government email ID or 
contact number. 
Source: www.firstpost.com
VERIFICATION
• If you plan to signup with your 
government employee ID then it 
is only after it is verified that you 
can start sending and receiving 
messages. 
Source: www.firstpost.com
SIMILAR TO 
WHATSAPP
• Just like WhatsApp, one can share 
images, videos, voice messages, 
create groups on the app. 
• Users can also set up their profile 
pictures and status.
Source: www.firstpost.com
Why has NIC 
launched this 
instant messaging 
platform?
• After security scares, the Ministry 
of Home Affairs had in April last 
year issued an advisory to all 
government employees to avoid 
using platforms like Zoom for 
official communication.
Source: www. indianexpress.com
India-made 
software 
• The launch of the app is also a 
part of the government strategy 
to push for use of India-made 
software so as to build an 
ecosystem of indigenously 
developed products. 
Source: www. indianexpress.com
What is different in 
the new app 
developed by NIC?
• There is no option to transfer the 
chat history between two 
platforms, the chats on 
government instant messaging 
systems or GIMS can be backed 
up to a users’ email.
Source: www. indianexpress.com
FEATURES
• GIMS, like other instant 
messaging apps in the market, 
uses a valid mobile number or 
email id to register the user for 
the first time. 
• It also offers features such as 
group making, broadcast 
message, message forwarding 
and emojis.
Source: www. indianexpress.com