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TRAI dials up the future with digital radio tune for 13 Indian cities
MUMBAI: Static is out, digital is in. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has turned up the volume on the country’s radio landscape with fresh recommendations to kick-start digital radio broadcasting in India’s biggest markets.
The policy blueprint covers four A+ cities Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai and nine A cities including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. Reserve prices have been set for spectrum auctions, ranging from a hefty Rs 194.08 crore for Mumbai to Rs 20.52 crore for Kanpur.
So what’s the buzz? Under TRAI’s plan, new broadcasters will launch in simulcast mode, meaning one frequency can now beam one analogue, three digital and one data channel. Existing FM players will be allowed to migrate voluntarily within six months of auctions, by paying a migration fee linked to auction prices and their earlier entry fees.
The regulator is also pushing for a single digital radio technology standard for India, with the government tasked to finalise it either through consultations or embedding it into the spectrum auction process.
Broadcasters opting in must get their simulcast services on air within two years, with licences lasting 15 years. A sunset date for analogue FM will come later, depending on digital adoption.
The money matters are equally detailed: an annual authorisation fee of 4 per cent of Adjusted Gross Revenue for most cities, dropping to 2 per cent for the first three years in border, hilly and island territories. Flexible payment instalments, spread across 15 years, mirror telecom spectrum auctions protecting the government’s Net Present Value (NPV) while easing upfront pressure on broadcasters.
In a move sure to please commuters and audiophiles, TRAI has urged the government to push manufacturers to ensure digital receivers are built into mobile phones and car infotainment systems. Meanwhile, Prasar Bharati may be asked to share its towers and infrastructure with private players at concessional rates.
From opening auctions for two new spot frequencies per city to freeing broadcasters to choose their own genres, the roadmap aims to democratise India’s airwaves while adding sparkle to an industry often accused of playing the same old tune.
For listeners, it means better sound quality, more choice and even value-added services riding on those data channels. For broadcasters, it’s a new stage to perform on and this time, the spotlight is firmly digital.
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.
