The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has updated its rules to help telecom operators block spam calls more effectively. Now, operators can act against suspected spammers identified by AI-based systems without needing consumer complaints first. This change aims to reduce unwanted calls and protect subscribers from telemarketing spam.
- TRAI defines "spam" and "spammer" more clearly and includes automated calls (A2P calls) in the rules.
- Telecom operators must share suspected spam numbers with each other within one business day.
- First-time offenders face a 15-day ban on outgoing services; repeat offenders can be disconnected for one year.
- Subscribers can block promotional calls by texting BLOCK PROMO code to 1909.
- Service messages like OTPs and two-factor authentication are not blocked.
What are the new definitions of spam and spammer?
TRAI’s updated regulations introduce clear definitions. "Spam" refers to unsolicited commercial communications, especially those made without prior declaration. A "spammer" is someone who sends such messages or calls, often using automated systems.
The rules now cover application-to-person (A2P) calls, which include autodialing, robocalls, and prerecorded voice messages sent by software or automated platforms without human dialing.
How do the new rules affect telecom operators?
Telecom operators must use AI-based caller ID systems to detect suspected spam calls. When a call is flagged, operators have one business day to identify the sender’s unique KYC details and share this information with other operators.
If five or more caller IDs linked to the sender are found within ten days, all operators must take action against the sender. This cooperation helps block spammers more quickly across networks.
What penalties do spammers face under the new rules?
For the first violation detected by AI, all outgoing services linked to the spammer are barred for 15 days. This applies even if some telecom resources were not used in the spam calls.
For repeat violations, all telecom resources such as PRI/SIP trunks and SIM cards are disconnected for one year. The spammer is also blacklisted and cannot get new telecom resources during this period.
Despite disconnection, the spammer will keep one phone number with outgoing calls barred except for emergency services.
How can subscribers block telemarketing calls?
Subscribers who want to block telemarketing calls from all categories can send a text message with the code BLOCK PROMO to 1909. This blocks promotional commercial communications but does not block service or government messages.
Existing subscribers who had fully blocked calls will be automatically migrated to this new BLOCK PROMO category within 15 days of the notification.
When will the new rules take effect?
The amended rules will come into effect one month after the official gazette notification. The implementation will happen in phases over 60 to 90 days. Rules related to A2P calling will start after 60 days.
Why did TRAI update these spam rules?
In April 2026, AI systems flagged about 771 crore calls and 48 crore SMS messages as suspected spam. However, only a small number of complaints were filed by consumers. This gap showed that relying only on complaints was not enough.
By combining AI detection with complaint data, TRAI aims to identify and act against spammers earlier, reducing the impact of spam calls on subscribers.
