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TRAI rings the spam alarm as digital consent and 1600-series plans take charge
MUMBAI: Spam beware, India’s digital regulators are tightening the screws. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) convened the 9th Joint Committee of Regulators (JCoR) at its New Delhi headquarters on October 16, 2025, marking another decisive step towards a safer, cleaner digital ecosystem.
The high-level meet brought together representatives from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), alongside officials from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MoCA), and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). Industry heavyweights including Google, Meta, GSMA, and COAI were also present to discuss collective measures against spam and cyber fraud.
Central to the deliberations was the progress of the Digital Consent Acquisition pilot, currently underway at 11 banks under joint supervision by TRAI and RBI. On track for completion by February 2026, the pilot aims to ensure consumers have greater control over consent for commercial communications, a key tool in fighting spam.
Meanwhile, TRAI pushed ahead with plans to fully adopt the 1600-series numbering system for banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) communications, with a phased sunset timeline agreed in collaboration with sector regulators. The committee also flagged the need for flexibility for small-scale businesses, with TRAI set to issue guidance soon.
Other significant outcomes included mandatory whitelisting of all URLs, OTT links, APKs, and callback numbers used in SMS communications. This initiative, paired with a crackdown on shortened links and blacklisting errant entities, aims to curb fraudulent messaging at scale. The committee also discussed enhanced PE-end security measures, including real-time credential validation and CAPTCHA enforcement for OTP systems, to bolster trust and safeguard users’ digital interactions.
TRAI chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti highlighted the importance of collaboration. “In a digitally connected economy, cooperation among regulators for digital services, financial services, consumer protection, and law enforcement is paramount. The JCoR continues to be a crucial platform for ensuring orderly digital connectivity and cracking down on spam and cyber fraud. Today’s decisions underscore our shared commitment to a secure and transparent digital communication ecosystem,” he said.
The committee’s discussions also reflected an emphasis on public deterrence, with plans for TSPs and TRAI to publish blacklisted entities involved in spamming activities. Such transparency is expected to reinforce compliance while warning potential violators.
By combining regulatory oversight, technological interventions, and industry collaboration, TRAI and its partners aim to transform India’s digital messaging landscape making spam less profitable, fraud less frequent, and user trust more robust. With these initiatives, the 9th JCoR meeting set a precedent for proactive governance in India’s rapidly evolving digital communication space.
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.
