DoT | DD News

September 8, 2026 5:22 PM

FRI prevents suspected cyber fraud losses of over Rs 5,000 crore in 15 months

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has prevented suspected cyber fraud losses of more than ₹5,000 crore through its Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) in the 15 months since its launch on May 22, 2025, marking a major expansion in efforts to protect citizens from digital financial fraud. The milestone marks a decisive scaling-up of an initiative that had prevented ₹660 crore of losses in its first six months of operation. It reflects the growing role of telecom intelligence in shi...

August 15, 2026 5:56 PM

India to host BRICS ICT Track in Pune from August 17-21

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will host the BRICS ICT Track in Pune from August 17 to 21 as part of India’s BRICS Chairship for 2026, bringing together Communications Ministers, senior government officials and technology experts from member countries to strengthen cooperation in information and communication technologies. The five-day programme will be held under the theme “Innovate, Cooperate and Transform (ICT) for a Resilient Future” and will focus on building secure, incl...

August 10, 2026 8:17 PM

TRAI rolls out 1601-series numbers for utility, courier and logistics service calls

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has initiated the phase-wise implementation of the 1601-series numbering system for service and transactional voice calls by entities in sectors other than banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) and government organisations. The move is aimed at helping consumers distinguish legitimate service and transactional calls from potentially fraudulent calls made using ordinary 10-digit mobile numbers, while strengthening trust in voice-based c...

January 6, 2026 3:24 PM

NHAI seeks urgent steps to improve mobile connectivity on National Highways

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has sought urgent intervention from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to address persistent mobile network connectivity gaps across several stretches of National Highways, particularly in greenfield and remote areas. In a communication to DoT and TRAI, NHAI highlighted the public safety risks and strategic importance of ensuring reliable mobile connectivity along highway corridors. It c...

December 1, 2025 9:30 PM

Sanchar Saathi app to be pre-installed on all phones sold in India; DoT issues mandate

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on Monday issued directions mandating the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi mobile application on all mobile handsets manufactured or imported for use in India. According to the notification dated November 28, 2025, manufacturers and importers must ensure that the Sanchar Saathi app is clearly visible and accessible to users during the first use or device setup, and that its key functions are not hidden, disabled or restricted. For devices already...

November 17, 2025 3:46 PM

DoT cautions manufacturers and sellers on mandatory IMEI registration; consequences of tampering

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has cautioned manufacturers, brand owners, importers and resellers of telecom equipment, reminding them of mandatory International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) registration requirements and warning of severe penalties for IMEI tampering under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024. According to the DoT, IMEI regulation is critical for safeguarding telecom networks, preventing counterfeit devices and strengthenin...

September 30, 2025 3:09 PM

Over 6 lakh lost and stolen mobile phones recovered via DoT’s Sanchar Saathi platform

The Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) flagship digital safety initiative Sanchar Saathi has achieved a major milestone, facilitating the recovery of more than 6 lakh lost and stolen mobile phones across India. The Block Your Lost/Stolen Mobile Handset facility, a core feature of the AI-powered Sanchar Saathi platform, integrates DoT, telecom service providers, and state/UT police in real time. Built on the theme Digital by Design, the platform enables citizens to report, block, trace, a...

September 25, 2025 4:46 PM

DoT, FIU-IND join hands to curb cyber crimes and financial frauds

In a major move to curb cyber-crimes and financial frauds, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) on Thursday signed a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance data sharing and inter-agency coordination. The MoU was signed by Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, Deputy Director General of the AI & Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) at DoT, and Amit Mohan Govil, Director of FIU-IND, in the presence of Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary (Telec...

April 3, 2025 1:01 PM

DoT cracks down on spam calls, disconnects 1.75 lakh landline numbers

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has disconnected approximately 1.75 lakh Direct Inward Dialing (DID) and landline telephone numbers found to be engaged in unauthorized promotional and illegal activities. Authorities have observed a surge in spam calls originating from telecom identifiers such as 0731, 079, and 080, often exploiting Primary Rate Interfaces (PRIs), Lease Lines, Internet Lease Lines, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and International Private Leased Circuits (IPLC). Ci...

May 14, 2024 4:23 PM

DoT issues advisory to combat fake calls and cybercrime

In a move to combat the growing threat of cybercrime, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued an advisory to mobile users warning them to remain vigilant against fake calls threatening to disconnect their numbers. According to the advisory, the callers often pose as government officials or impersonate foreign numbers, particularly those with +92 codes on WhatsApp. They try to coerce individuals into divulging personal information, potentially leading to financial fraud or identity...