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TRAI puts a ‘stop’ to unsolicited calls and messages
Mumbai: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is taking a firm stance on unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) with its amended Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR), 2018. In a bid to protect consumers from spam calls and messages, TRAI has introduced a series of tightened regulations aimed at strengthening consumer privacy and improving transparency in the world of telecom communications.
Since the introduction of the TCCCPR in 2018, the framework has already made headway in fighting spam with its blockchain-based regulatory system. However, with spammers evolving their tactics and adopting new methods, TRAI’s latest regulatory tweaks aim to close loopholes, enhance consumer complaint processes, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms. The newly-amended regulations seek to bolster the fight against spam, ensure quicker action on complaints, and enforce higher accountability for telemarketers.
The latest amendments by TRAI introduce a streamlined complaint process, allowing consumers to file complaints against spam calls and messages without the need to register their preferences in advance. Additionally, the time window for lodging complaints has been extended from three days to seven days, making it more convenient for users. To ensure faster action, telecom providers must now resolve complaints within five days, a significant reduction from the previous 30-day timeframe. Moreover, the threshold for action has been lowered, requiring just five complaints in 10 days instead of the earlier 10 complaints in seven days, making it easier to clamp down on repeat offenders.
Strengthening consumer control, telecom operators will now be required to provide a mandatory opt-out option for promotional messages, ensuring customers have a hassle-free way to reject unwanted communications. Additionally, financial disincentives have been introduced for telecom providers found misreporting UCC instances, with escalating penalties for repeat violations, reinforcing strict accountability within the industry.
Moreover, TRAI has implemented stringent rules to curb the misuse of telecom resources for telemarketing. This includes banning normal 10-digit numbers for promotional messages and encouraging telemarketers to use dedicated number series (such as the 1600 series for transactional messages). Violators of these regulations now face severe penalties, including suspension of telecom services for up to a year for repeat offenders.
Additionally, physical verification and biometric authentication for telemarketers and senders will further ensure accountability and traceability in the industry. Telecom providers are also required to implement honeypots to help identify spam calls early, thus preventing widespread misuse.
As digital communications continue to play an essential role in business and personal interactions, these new measures will go a long way in ensuring a cleaner, safer telecom environment. TRAI’s latest reforms aim to create a balance between consumer protection and the need for legitimate commercial communication, marking a new chapter in India’s telecom regulatory landscape.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
