Government to let TRAI fine telcos over spam calls, texts
Tired of spam calls and messages? The government is working on a provision to give TRAI the power to directly fine telecom companies that break the rules on unsolicited calls and texts.
This move comes after complaints from users shot up: more than 20.75 lakh just in the first half of 2026.
Until now, TRAI could only recommend penalties, but legal roadblocks have kept things stuck since 2021.
Unwanted call complaints nearly tripled
Unwanted call complaints have nearly tripled since 2022, but actual disconnections have dropped sharply, from more than 19 lakh in late 2024 to just 79,000 by mid-2026.
On the flip side, more violators are getting blacklisted: only 155 at the end of 2024, now a whopping 1,406 this year.
The new rules aim to make it tougher for spammers and easier for you to avoid them.