2 weeks ago
TRAI flags 24.4 billion spam calls, launches 1601 series
Every day, many people in India get phone calls and text messages they did not ask for — these are called spam.
Some people get up to five unwanted calls every single day.
The people in charge of phones in India, called TRAI, counted the numbers over three months and found 24.4 billion spam calls and messages.
That is a very, very big number — billions mean thousands of millions.
TRAI is like a referee that makes rules for phone companies.
This year, it started new phone numbers that begin with 1601, so people can tell which calls are real.
Real electric, water, gas, courier and parcel companies will use these numbers.
Bank and government calls will keep using the old 1600 numbers.
TRAI also blocked billions of spam calls because people had said they do not want them.
But many people have not made this choice yet, so spammers can still reach them, and TRAI keeps working to stop it.
Telecom operators flagged 24.4 billion spam calls and messages in India during the April–June 2026 quarter.
AI-based systems identified 22.99 billion incoming calls and 1.44 billion SMS as suspected spam in the same period.
TRAI began a phased launch of the 1601-series for utility, courier and logistics calls, with banks and government entities keeping the 1600-series.
Government data shows unsolicited commercial communication complaints rose from 10.83 lakh to about 31 lakh in 2025.
Over 1.12 billion subscribers have not registered a do-not-disturb preference, leaving them open to commercial communications.
- Who
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), telecom operators, and Union Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani.
- What
- A record surge in unsolicited calls and messages, prompting regulatory action and the launch of a new 1601-series numbering scheme.
- Where
- India
- When
- The April–June 2026 quarter; the phased 1601-series launch began in early August 2026.
- Why
- To curb spam, impersonation and fraud as complaints rose sharply despite existing measures.
Supporters of stricter regulation
Concerns about system confusion and gaps
Special phone number system
Supporters of stricter regulation
Dedicated number series such as 140, 1600 and the new 1601 help consumers identify genuine business calls and make it easier to block spam, protecting users from impersonation and fraud.
Concerns about system confusion and gaps
The system has created confusion — Truecaller reports that millions now ignore even legitimate bank and company calls, while spammers have exploited technology and regulatory gaps meant for legitimate businesses.
Do-not-disturb (DND) enforcement
Supporters of stricter regulation
DND preference enforcement is effective: about 1.48 billion promotional calls and 7.30 billion promotional SMS were blocked because consumers registered their choices.
Concerns about system confusion and gaps
Coverage remains incomplete — over 1.12 billion subscribers have not registered any DND preference, so they remain accessible to all commercial communications from registered telemarketers.
Key facts
- Spam calls/messages flagged (Apr–Jun 2026)
- 24.4 billion
- Unwanted calls per user per day
- Up to five
- UCC complaints in 2025
- About 31.09 lakh, up from 10.83 lakh five years earlier
- New number series
- 1601 for utilities, courier and logistics; 1600 kept for BFSI and government
- Blocked via DND preferences
- 1.48 billion promotional calls and 7.30 billion promotional SMS
- AI-flagged suspected spam
- 22.99 billion calls and 1.44 billion SMS
- Subscribers without DND preference
- Over 1.12 billion
- Enforcement actions (Q1 FY27)
- 2,873 SMS headers blocked; 263 senders blacklisted
Quotes
Union Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani
Minister of State for Communications
“"During the year 2025, a total of about 31 lakh UCC complaints were received by the access providers from the customers, and 7.99 lakh notices were issued by them to the senders/ telemarketers against the UCC complaints."”
financialexpress.com
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
Regulatory body issuing quarterly report
“"Registered DND preferences enabled blocking of about 1.48 billion promotional calls and 7.30 billion promotional SMSs, demonstrating effective consumer preference enforcement."”
financialexpress.com
Sources
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