Archive · 19 Sep 2026
TRAI Tightens Rules for App-Based Spam Calls
India’s telecom regulator has made new rules to reduce unwanted calls.
The rules now cover calls made automatically by apps and computer systems.
Apps must tell telecom companies which numbers they will use for these calls.
If they do not, their calls may be treated as spam.
Telecom companies may charge up to 5 paise for some undeclared calls.
AI systems and consumer complaints will help identify possible spammers.
Three complaints together with an AI warning can lead to an investigation.
Apps such as Truecaller cannot automatically mark certain official number series as spam.
TRAI has expanded spam-call regulations to include application-initiated A2P calls, including robocalls and prerecorded messages.
Apps must pre-declare A2P numbers to telecom providers or calls outside the disclosure may be treated as spam.
Telecom providers may levy termination charges of up to 5 paise on undeclared A2P calls.
AI flags combined with at least three unique consumer complaints can trigger investigations into suspected spam senders.
Call-management apps such as Truecaller cannot automatically label designated 140, 1600 and 1601 series calls as spam.
- Who
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, telecom service providers, app operators and call-management applications such as Truecaller.
- What
- TRAI amended its commercial communications rules to regulate application-to-person calls and strengthen spam detection and enforcement.
- When
- The amendments were announced on Friday; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- India’s telecommunications system.
- Why
- To curb spam and scam calls, identify repeat offenders more quickly and protect regulated commercial communications.
- Regulation
- Amendments to the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018.
- Covered calls
- Application-to-person calls initiated by apps, software systems or automated platforms without direct human dialing.
- Termination charge
- Telecom service providers may levy up to 5 paise on undeclared A2P calls.
- Complaint threshold
- Three or more unique consumer complaints, combined with an AI or machine-learning flag, can trigger action.
- Investigation threshold
- Further investigation and graded action may follow when five or more numbers linked to a sender are flagged within 10 days.
- Protected number series
- Calls using the 140, 1600 and 1601 series cannot be automatically labeled as spam by call-management apps.
- Inquiry-based communications
- Commercial communication based on a customer inquiry is allowed for seven days if the inquiry is verifiable and retained.