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TRAI issues regulations relating to VAS for pre-paid consumers
NEW DELHI: Realising that its earlier regulations relate only to subscription-based value added services, the Telecom Authority of India (TRAI) has directed all access service providers to ensure that the value added service (VAS) for products embedded in the SIM application Tool Kit (STK) of SIM card is provided to the consumer only after obtaining the explicit consent of the consumer in accordance with a procedure specified by the regulator.
The directive has to be implemented by all access service providers including the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) and Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd (MTNL) within sixty days.
The new directive has been issued under section 13, read with sub-clauses (i) and (v) of clause (b) of sub-section ( 1) of section 11 of the TRAI Act 1997 and clause 11 of the Telecom Tariff Order 1999 to ensure compliance of terms and conditions of license and to protect the interest of consumers.
The process of providing value added service for products embedded in the SIM card:
(a) For obtaining explicit consent through consumer originated SMS:
Step 1: The consumer explores the VAS link in the SIM Application Tool Kit (STK) of the SIM card and clicks the link.
Step 2: The service provider after receiving the message/information shall inform consumer through SMS regarding the value added service requested; its validity; the charges thereof and the consumer shall be asked to confirm the request within sixty minutes by sending ‘yes’ to the specified number;
Step 3: If no confirmation is received from the consumer, the request of the consumer shall not be processed;
Step 4: If the consumer confirms his request, the value added service platform of the service provider shall deliver the product on the mobile number of the consumer and the consent logs shall be stored in the system of the service provider in an un-editable format;
Step 5: The consumer shall receive an SMS immediately after delivery of the product to the consumer, informing the consumer about charges deducted and the balance remaining;
(b) For obtaining explicit consent through third party consent gateway:
Step 1: The consumer explores the VAS link in the SIM Application Tool Kit (STK) of the SIM card and clicks the link.
Step 2: The service provider after receiving the message/information shall inform the consumer through SMS regarding the value added service requested; its validity; the charges thereof, and the consumer shall be forwarded to the “Consent Gateway” set up by the service provider and managed by a third party;
Step 3: The “Consent Gateway” shall seek the second consent of the consumer;
Step 4: The consumer shall give his consent by pressing the relevant key, and the consent logs shall be stored in the system of the service provider in an un-editable format;
Step 5: The “Consent Gateway” shall forward the consent of the consumer to the value added service platform of the service provider;
Step 6: The value added service platform of the service provider shall deliver the product on the mobile number of the consumer;
Step 7: The consumer shall receive an SMS immediately after delivery of the product to the consumer, informing the consumer about the charges deducted and the balance remaining.
TRAI said the genesis of some of the complaints is that a number of value added service products are embedded in the SIM card and in many cases the consumer accidentally or unknowingly clicks these products and the customer is immediately charged for the service, without being provided with any information regarding the applicable charges and also without being offered any opportunity to give consent as to whether he wants to proceed or not.
The regulator said this emerged during its monitoring the compliance of the directions pertaining to the activation and deactivation of value added services and while examining some of the complaints received by the Authority relating to activation of value added services without consent.
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.
