TRAI mandates 1600-series numbers for insurance entities by 15 February 2026
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued a Direction on 16 December 2025 requiring entities regulated by IRDAI to adopt '1600' series numbers for service and transactional calls by 15 February 2026.
Summary
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) issued a Direction on 16 December 2025 requiring entities regulated by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) to adopt '1600' series numbers for service and transactional calls to consumers by 15 February 2026. The TRAI Direction aims to build consumer trust, curb spam and prevent fraud through voice calls, and follows similar Directions for entities regulated by RBI, SEBI and PFRDA. The Department of Telecommunications assigned the 1600 series for the Banking, Financial Services and Insurance sector and government organisations, and about 570 entities have already adopted over 3,000 such numbers.
Key facts
- Date
- 16 December 2025
- Issued by
- TRAI, in consultation with IRDAI
- Applies to
- Entities regulated by IRDAI
- Deadline
- 15 February 2026
- Earlier Directions
- Entities regulated by RBI, SEBI and PFRDA
- Adoption so far
- About 570 entities, over 3,000 numbers
Practice MCQs 2 questions
By what date must IRDAI-regulated entities adopt '1600' series numbers for service and transactional calls under TRAI's Direction of 16 December 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 15 February 2026
PIB 2205350: the last date for adoption of 1600-series numbers by IRDAI-regulated entities is 15 February 2026.
Before IRDAI, TRAI had issued similar Directions mandating 1600-series numbers for entities regulated by which regulators?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — RBI, SEBI and PFRDA
PIB 2205350: TRAI had earlier issued similar Directions for entities regulated by RBI, SEBI and PFRDA.