TRAI's amended spam rules start taking effect on 29 October 2026. Senders can face action after just three complaints in 10 days if the telecom operator's AI also flags them. Robocalls and auto-dialled calls must be pre-declared, or they count as spam. You can now appeal a complaint outcome within 15 days. Report spam on 1909 or the DND app.
Updated 23 October 2026
Quick facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Official portal | TRAI and the TRAI DND app (Android and iPhone) |
| Helpline | Call or SMS 1909 to report spam; your operator's app or portal |
| Fee | Nil |
| Deadline | Most changes from 29 October 2026; some on 28 November 2026 and 28 December 2026; appeal within 15 days of a complaint outcome |
| Documents | None; keep the caller number, date, time and a screenshot of the SMS or call log |
| Legal basis | Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026, notified on 18 September 2026 |
When the new rules apply
TRAI announced the amendments on 18 September 2026, and they were published in the Gazette on 28 September 2026. They come in three phases:
| Date | What starts |
|---|---|
| 29 October 2026 | Most provisions, 30 days after publication |
| 28 November 2026 | Some regulations, 60 days after publication |
| 28 December 2026 | Changes listed in the annexure, 90 days after publication |
If you're unsure which change applies on which date, the Gazette notification on trai.gov.in has the detail.
The changes that help you most
1. Fewer complaints needed to act on spammers. Earlier, action against a sender started only after five unique complaints in 10 days. Now it can start after three complaints in 10 days, if the sender's number is also flagged by the operator's AI-based spam detection system.
2. Operators must use AI to catch spammers. Telecom companies have to identify numbers with a high chance of sending spam and share that data with other operators. If five or more numbers linked to one sender are flagged within 10 days, the operator must start graded action: KYC re-verification, physical checks, barring outgoing calls and finally disconnection for repeat offenders.
3. Robocalls are regulated. An Application-to-Person (A2P) call is any call made by software without a person dialling, including auto-dialled, robo and pre-recorded or AI-voice calls. Businesses must declare A2P calling and the numbers they use to their operator. Undeclared robocalls are treated as spam.
4. You can appeal. If you're not satisfied with how your spam complaint was handled, you can appeal within 15 days to the operator's Appellate Authority, through the DND app, the operator's app or portal, or by calling or texting 1909.
5. Caller apps can't blanket-block genuine numbers. Call management apps can't automatically tag or block the official series meant for legitimate commercial calls: 140xx for regulated promotional calls and 1600xx/1601xx for service and transactional calls from banks, insurers and government. You can still block any number yourself.
6. "You enquired, so we called" has limits. A business can contact you based on your enquiry for only seven days, and only if the enquiry was in writing or digital and the business keeps a record.
Step by step: report a spam call or SMS
On the TRAI DND app
By 1909
Report within seven days of receiving the spam, as per the existing rules, so it can be acted on.
Set your preferences. Use the DND app or SMS "FULLY BLOCK" to 1909 to stop all promotional calls and texts, or block only some categories like real estate or banking.
What these rules don't cover
These rules deal with commercial spam from businesses and telemarketers. A fraud call — someone pretending to be police, a bank or courier asking for an OTP — is a crime. Report it on cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930, and report the number on the Chakshu facility of the Sanchar Saathi portal. Our sextortion and blackmail guide explains the first steps.
Also coming up: caller name display (CNAP) from 1 November 2026, which should make it harder for unknown callers to hide. Read our CNAP explainer. To see who represents you in Parliament, where telecom laws are made, visit NetaSampark's representatives directory.
Checklist
Frequently asked questions
When do TRAI's new spam rules start?
Most provisions take effect on 29 October 2026. Some start on 28 November 2026 and others on 28 December 2026.
How many complaints are needed to act against a spammer now?
Three unique complaints in 10 days, if the operator's AI system also flags the sender. Earlier it was five.
How do I report spam to TRAI?
Use the TRAI DND app, or call or SMS 1909 with the number, date, time and a short description.
Can I appeal if nothing happens on my complaint?
Yes. You can appeal within 15 days through the DND app, your operator's app or portal, or 1909.
Will genuine bank calls get blocked by caller ID apps?
Call management apps can't blanket-block or tag the official 1600xx, 1601xx and 140xx series. You can still block numbers yourself.