According to official data, telecom service providers received more than 30 lakh complaints related to spam calls and messages between January and December 2025. Complaints against unregistered telemarketers formed the majority, indicating widespread misuse of regular mobile numbers to bypass regulatory systems.
The monthly figures show a steady rise in complaints from mid-2025, peaking during August and September when total complaints crossed 3.8 lakh in a single month. Authorities noted that unregistered telemarketers accounted for nearly 85 per cent of these cases.
DLT Platform and DND Tools Strengthened
TRAI regulates commercial communications under the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations (TCCCPR). As part of this framework, over three lakh senders and 21,000 telemarketers have been registered on the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) platform to ensure transparency and traceability.
Consumers can report spam through multiple channels, including the TRAI Do Not Disturb (DND) mobile app, telecom service provider apps, SMS or calls to 1909, and the Sanchar Saathi portal of the Department of Telecommunications.
7.5 Crore Spam Communications Blocked Daily
In December 2025 alone, the DLT system blocked an average of more than 7.5 crore spam SMS and voice calls every day based on customer preferences. TRAI has also mandated the use of 140-series numbers for promotional calls and registered headers for commercial SMS.
To address spam originating from regular 10-digit numbers, major telecom operators have deployed AI-based solutions that detect suspicious activity and alert customers in real time.
Strict Enforcement and Heavy Penalties
Following TRAI’s directions issued in August 2024 and strengthened through amendments in February 2025, telecom operators have disconnected around 21 lakh connections involved in spam violations. The action includes immediate suspension and cross-network disconnection of offenders.
Additionally, TRAI has imposed financial disincentives amounting to ₹153.8 crore on telecom service providers for failing to address UCC complaints as per regulatory norms.
Special 1600-series numbers have also been introduced for financial service calls, helping consumers distinguish legitimate transactional calls from fraudulent or promotional ones.
Government Reaffirms Consumer Protection
The government reiterated its commitment to safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring a cleaner telecom ecosystem. Officials emphasised that regulatory vigilance, technology adoption, and consumer awareness together form the backbone of India’s anti-spam strategy.