Description

NSE reminds Trading Members to comply with TRAI's November 2025 directive mandating exclusive use of 1600xx-series numbers for service/transactional calls and 140xx-series numbers for promotional calls.

Summary

NSE has issued a circular (NSE/COMP/74037) reminding all Trading Members to comply with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) direction dated November 19, 2025. TRAI mandates that entities regulated by RBI, SEBI, and PFRDA must use 1600xx-series numbers exclusively for service and transactional voice calls, and 140xx-series numbers exclusively for promotional calls.

Key Points

  • TRAI direction dated November 19, 2025 mandates specific numbering series for different call types
  • 1600xx-series numbers: restricted to service and transactional voice calls only
  • 140xx-series numbers: restricted to promotional calls only
  • Applies to entities regulated by RBI, SEBI, and PFRDA
  • NSE had previously advised Trading Members on TRAI compliance; this is a reiteration
  • Definitions of service, transactional, and promotional calls per TCCCPR-2018 are annexed to the circular

Regulatory Changes

No new regulatory changes introduced. This circular reiterates the TRAI direction issued on November 19, 2025 under the Telecom Commercial Communications Preference Regulations, 2018 (TCCCPR-2018). Key definitions per TCCCPR-2018:

  • Service Call (Section 2(bh)): Calls to customers providing product/service information, warranty, safety alerts, balance alerts, delivery updates — not promotional in nature, no Explicit Consent required in most cases.
  • Transactional Call (Section 2(bt)): Calls made in response to a customer-initiated transaction within 30 minutes, such as OTPs, transaction alerts, balance alerts post-transaction — not promotional, no Explicit Consent required.
  • Promotional Call (Section 2(av)): Any commercial voice call containing promotional material or advertisement; if promotional content is mixed with any other call type, the entire call is treated as promotional.

Compliance Requirements

  • Trading Members must use 1600xx-series numbers solely for service and transactional voice calls
  • Trading Members must use 140xx-series numbers exclusively for promotional voice calls
  • Members must adhere to all TRAI directions issued from time to time
  • For support: helpdesk at 1800 266 0050 (IVR option 3) or email memcompliance_support@nse.co.in

Important Dates

  • November 19, 2025: Original TRAI direction issued
  • May 05, 2026: NSE reminder circular issued (NSE/COMP/74037, Circular Ref. No. 40/2026)
  • No new deadline specified; compliance is expected to be immediate and ongoing

Impact Assessment

This circular has a moderate operational impact on Trading Members who conduct outbound voice communications with clients. Members must audit their telecom infrastructure to ensure correct numbering series are assigned to the appropriate call categories. Non-compliance with TRAI directions could result in regulatory penalties from the telecom regulator. There is no direct impact on trading operations, market structure, or listed securities.

Impact Justification

Operational compliance reminder for Trading Members regarding telecom regulations; no direct market or trading impact but non-compliance could attract regulatory action.