TRAI notifies TCCCPR Third Amendment 2026: AI-based spam detection, A2P call rules and consumer appeals
On 18 September 2026, TRAI issued the Telecom Commercial Communication Customer Preference (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026, amending the TCCCPR 2018 to curb unsolicited commercial communications (UCC).
Summary
The TRAI Third Amendment to the TCCCPR 2018 adds Regulation 21A, which requires telecom operators to identify sender numbers likely to be sending spam using AI/ML and share this among operators. Action against a sender will now start with 3 or more unique complaints in 10 days if the AI system has also flagged the sender, instead of the earlier threshold of 5 complaints. Application-to-Person (A2P) calls, such as robo-calls and auto-dialled calls, must be declared in advance, and a termination charge of up to ₹0.05 per minute has been introduced on them. Consumers can now appeal against the resolution of spam complaints within 15 days.
Key facts
- Regulation
- TCCCPR (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026 — amends TCCCPR 2018
- AI/ML detection
- New Regulation 21A: operators flag and share likely spam sender numbers
- Complaint threshold
- 3+ unique complaints in 10 days plus AI flag (earlier 5+ complaints)
- A2P calls
- Must be pre-declared; termination charge up to ₹0.05/minute
- Consumer appeal
- Within 15 days against resolution of UCC complaints
Practice MCQs 4 questions
TRAI's Third Amendment Regulations of September 2026 amend which regulations to curb spam calls and messages?
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Correct answer: D — Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018
The amendment is to the Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR 2018).
Under TRAI's September 2026 amendment, when will action be triggered against a sender of unsolicited commercial communications?
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Correct answer: C — 3 or more unique complaints in 10 days, with the sender also flagged by the AI/ML system
Action starts at 3 or more unique complaints in 10 days if the sender's number is also flagged by the AI/ML system; the earlier threshold was 5 complaints.
What termination charge has TRAI introduced on Application-to-Person (A2P) calls under its September 2026 amendment?
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Correct answer: B — Up to ₹0.05 per minute
A termination charge of up to ₹0.05 per minute is to be levied on A2P calls.
Consider the following about TRAI's TCCCPR (Third Amendment) Regulations, 2026: 1. Consumers can appeal against the resolution of UCC complaints within 15 days. 2. Commercial communications based on a customer's inquiry can be sent only for seven days from the inquiry. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct; the inquiry must also be in writing or digital form and kept verifiable by the sender.