Archive · 20 Nov 2025
TRAI Mandates Deadlines for BFSI Entities to Adopt '1600' Series Calls
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has told banks, financial services, and insurance companies to use a special '1600' number series for their calls by certain dates.
This is to help people know if a call is really from these companies or a scam.
The deadlines vary for different types of companies, with commercial banks having to start by January 1, 2026.
TRAI mandates adoption of '1600' series for service and transactional calls by BFSI entities
Deadlines vary for banks, NBFCs, mutual funds, stockbrokers, and other entities
Commercial banks to onboard by January 1, 2026, while others have later deadlines
Mandatory adoption to curb impersonation-based financial frauds and spam calls
485 entities have already adopted the '1600' series
- Who
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and BFSI entities
- What
- Mandated adoption of '1600' series for service and transactional calls
- When
- Deadlines vary, starting from January 1, 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- To curb impersonation-based financial frauds and spam calls
Pro-consumer View
Industry View
Consumer Protection
Pro-consumer View
Mandatory adoption of '1600' series will help consumers identify legitimate calls and avoid scams.
Industry View
While well-intentioned, the mandate may cause inconvenience and additional costs for companies.
- Regulator
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
- Mandated Action
- Adoption of '1600' series for service and transactional calls
- Deadline for Commercial Banks
- January 1, 2026
- Deadline for Mutual Funds and AMCs
- February 15, 2026
- Deadline for QSBs
- March 15, 2026
Sources
Pre-Tag SMS To Curb Spam, Fraud: TRAI
TRAI sets firm deadlines for BFSI entities to adopt ‘1600’ series for service, transactional calls
Banks, financial services, insurers must shift to 1600-series numbers: TRAI
Trai Mandates 1600 Number Series for Banks, BFSI by 2026 to Curb Fraud
Trai sets deadlines for BFSI shift to 1600 calling series
TRAI mandates deadline for adoption of ‘1600’ series on calls by banks
TRAI mandates deadline for adoption of ‘1600’ series on calls by banks
TRAI sets deadlines for banking and financial companies to move to 1600 series numbers for service transactional calls
