**Executive Summary**
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has implemented various policy and technical measures to strengthen telecom network security and prevent cyber-attacks. These measures include systems for blocking spoofed calls, a platform for sharing information on telecom resource misuse, directives for network security audits, and advisories to protect sensitive telecom datasets. The DoT has also developed tools like the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) and the Sanchar Saathi portal to combat telecom fraud and empower citizens.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Spoofed Call Blocking:**
* DoT and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have a system to identify and block incoming international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers.
* This has resulted in a 99% reduction in such calls.
* **Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP):**
* DoT has developed an online secure DIP for sharing information related to misuse of telecom resources.
* Stakeholders include central security agencies, State/UT Police, Banks, UPI service providers, and TSPs.
* **Network Security Audits:**
* TSPs are required to audit their network (or get it audited) from a security perspective annually or when the network configuration changes significantly.
* Audits must be conducted by a network certification agency accredited under international standards like ISO/IEC 270011 including Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing (VAPT).
* An external audit of the TSPs network is mandatory once every three years.
* **Data Protection:**
* DoT has issued advisories to TSPs to strengthen the protection of sensitive telecom datasets like Subscriber Detail Record (SDR), Call Detail Record (CDR), and IP Detail Record (IPDR).
* **Security Policy:**
* DoT has issued instructions on "Minimum Requirement for Security Policy of DoT Licensees" to be followed by all licensees.
* The Security Policy provides direction for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving Security and Security Management.
* **Network Security Audit Cross-Check:**
* Annual security audits of TSPs/ISPs are conducted to ensure the security of network equipment, software, supply chains, and data management for national security purposes.
* **Telecom Security Operations Centre (TSOC):**
* The Department has established a TSOC to enhance situational awareness, monitoring, and coordination on telecom cyber security matters.
* **Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI):**
* DoT has developed FRI, a risk-based metric that classifies a mobile number's association with financial fraud risk (Medium, High, or Very High).
* **Sanchar Saathi Initiative:**
* DoT has developed Sanchar Saathi to allow citizens to report suspected fraud communications, know mobile connections in their name, report lost/stolen mobile handsets, and check the genuineness of mobile handsets.
* Outcomes include:
* 27.96 lakh lost/stolen mobile handsets have been traced and 8.22 lakh lost/stolen mobile handsets have been recovered.
* 2.22 crore mobile connections have been disconnected based on reporting by citizens as ‘Not My Number’ or ‘Not Required’.
* 39.42 lakh mobile connections have been disconnected based on 7.72 lakh inputs provided by vigilant citizens related to suspected fraud communications.
* DoT has also launched the Sanchar Mitra scheme.
* **Awareness Campaigns:**
* DoT is actively promoting digital safety and preventing telecom-related fraud through widespread awareness campaigns under Sanchar Saathi and FRI initiatives.
**Impact Analysis**
**Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)**
* **Impact:** Required to implement systems for blocking spoofed calls, participate in the DIP, conduct network security audits, protect sensitive telecom datasets, and comply with security policy requirements.
* **Action Required:** Implement required security measures, participate in audits, and adhere to DoT's advisories and instructions.
**Central Security Agencies, State/UT Police, Banks, UPI Service Providers**
* **Impact:** Benefit from the DIP for sharing information related to misuse of telecom resources and the FRI for additional customer protection measures.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the DIP and FRI for enhanced security and customer protection.
**Citizens**
* **Impact:** Benefited by systems to block spoofed calls, and have access to Sanchar Saathi to report fraud, and have lost/stolen handsets traced and recovered. Protection against telecom fraud and increased digital safety.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the Sanchar Saathi portal to report suspected fraud communications and lost/stolen mobile handsets.
Key Entities Referenced
Department of Telecommunications (DoT): The primary government entity responsible for strengthening the security of the telecom network and preventing cyber-attacks in the country.
Telecom Service Providers (TSPs): Entities that provide telecom services and are subject to DoT's directives and policies for network security.
Sanchar Saathi: A citizen-centric initiative by DoT to empower citizens in reporting fraud communications, managing mobile connections, and tracing lost/stolen handsets.
Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP): A secure online platform developed by DoT for sharing information related to misuse of telecom resources with stakeholders.
Minimum Requirement for Security Policy of DoT Licensees: Instructions issued by DoT which require licensees to comply with a minimum security policy, providing direction for security establishment and management.
Ministry of Communications
Department of Telecommunications has taken
various policy and technical measures to
strengthen the security of the telecom network in
the country
27.96 lakh lost/ stolen mobile handsets have been traced and
8.22 lakh lost/ stolen mobile handsets have been recovered
and returned to rightful owners
Posted On: 04 FEB 2026 5:46PM by PIB Delhi
Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, in a
written reply to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha today said that the Department of
Telecommunications has taken various policy and technical measures to strengthen the security of the
telecom network and to prevent cyber-attacks and misuse of telecommunications infrastructure in the
country. The notable ones are as under:
1. DoT and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) have devised a system to identify and block incoming
international spoofed calls displaying Indian mobile numbers. The system has resulted in almost
99% reduction in such calls.
2. DoT has developed an online secure Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) for sharing of information
related to misuse of telecom resources with different stakeholders’ central security agencies,
State/UT Police, Banks, UPI service providers, Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) etc.
3. DoT directive requires Telecom Service Providers to audit their network or get the network audited
from security point of view once a year or as and when configuration of network is changed
significantly, from a network certification agency which is accredited to carry out the network audit
under international standards such as ISO/IEC 270011 including Vulnerability Assessment and
Penetration Testing (VAPT). An external audit of the TSPs network is mandatory once in a period of
three years.
4. DoT has issued advisory to telecom service providers to strengthen protection of sensitive telecom
datasets such as Subscriber Detail Record (SDR), Call Detail Record (CDR) and IP Detail Record
(IPDR) for the security of data at rest and transit.
5. DoT has issued instructions on “Minimum Requirement for Security Policy of DoT Licensees” to be
complied with by all licensees. Security Policy will provide direction for establishment,
implementation, maintenance and continual improvement in Security and Security Management.6. Cross Check Network Security Audit of TSPs/ISPs is being done annually to ensure security of
network equipment, software, supply chains and data management from perspective of national
security.
7. The Department has established a Telecom Security Operations Centre (TSOC) to enhance
situational awareness, monitoring, and coordination on telecom cyber security matters.
DoT has developed Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), which is a risk-based metric that classifies a
mobile number to have been associated with Medium, High, or Very High risk of financial fraud. FRI
empowers stakeholders-especially banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies ( NBFCs), and Unified
Payments Interface (UPI) service providers to prioritize enforcement and take additional customer
protection measures in case a mobile number has high risk. As reported by stakeholders, total fraud
amount prevented based on transaction decline and alert/notifications given to citizens is more than
₹1,000 crores.
DoT has developed Sanchar Saathi, a citizen centric initiative, which facilitates citizens to report
suspected fraud Communications, to know mobile connections in their name, to report lost/ stolen mobile
handsets, to check genuineness of mobile handset etc. Outcomes of Sanchar Saathi are as under:
a. 27.96 lakh lost/ stolen mobile handsets have been traced and 8.22 lakh lost/ stolen mobile
handsets have been recovered and returned to rightful owners by State/ UT Police.
b. 2.22 crore mobile connections have been disconnected based on reporting by citizens as ‘Not
My Number’ or ‘Not Required’.
c. 39.42 lakh mobile connections have been disconnected based on 7.72 lakh inputs provided by
vigilant citizens related to suspected fraud communications.
DoT has been actively promoting digital safety and preventing telecom-related fraud through widespread
awareness campaigns under Sanchar Saathi and FRI initiatives. Explainer videos and infographics about
these initiatives are regularly prepared and uploaded on DoT's social media platforms for spreading
awareness. DoT has also launched Sanchar Mitra scheme, through which student volunteers have been
engaged to educate citizens about digital safety, fraud prevention, and the use of the Sanchar Saathi portal
and app. Apart from above, citizen outreach includes multilingual news articles and ads, digital screens
and hoardings in public spaces, TV and radio messages, local-level activities by DoT field units, SMS
campaigns with Telecom Service Providers, and extensive social media content.
*****
MI/ARJ
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