This document summarizes information provided to the Lok Sabha on July 30, 2025, regarding the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The response addresses questions about the composition of TRAI, including the number of members, category-wise representation, and details of appointments made by the Union Government.
TRAI consists of a Chairperson, two Whole-time Members, and two Part-time Members. Category-wise information for these positions is not available because extant reservation rules are not applicable. The Chairperson was appointed in 2024, and this position is also not subject to reservation rules.
As of July 30, 2025, TRAI's cadre employees are distributed across Groups A, B, and C. Of the 229 cadre employees, 66.2% are Unreserved, 16.9% are from Other Backward Classes (OBC), 16.2% are from Scheduled Castes (SC), and 0.7% are from Scheduled Tribes (ST). These percentages are calculated based on TRAI cadre employees only, as reservation rules do not apply to deputation appointments. Specifically:
* **Group A:** 79.7% Unreserved, 7.8% OBC, 10.9% SC, 1.6% ST. Total employees: 123 (64 on TRAI Cadre and 59 on deputation).
* **Group B:** 60.3% Unreserved, 28.6% OBC, 11.1% SC, 0.0% ST. Total employees: 85 (63 on TRAI Cadre and 22 on deputation).
* **Group C:** 42.9% Unreserved, 9.5% OBC, 47.6% SC, 0.0% ST. Total employees: 21.
In addition to cadre employees, TRAI employs 58 contractual staff (Research Associates, Young Professionals, and Consultants) on a temporary basis. Category-wise details for contractual staff are not maintained due to the inapplicability of reservation rules to contract appointments.
The information was provided by the Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar.
Key Entities Referenced
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): The regulatory body in India responsible for regulating the telecommunications sector.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the unstarred question was raised.
Ministry of Communications: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for communications and information technology.
SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV: A member of Lok Sabha who raised the unstarred question about TRAI.
DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR: The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development who answered the question in the Lok Sabha.
Other Backward Classes: A group of historically disadvantaged castes in India.
Scheduled Castes: A group of historically disadvantaged castes in India recognized by the Constitution.
Scheduled Tribes: A group of historically disadvantaged indigenous tribes in India recognized by the Constitution.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1654
ANSWERED ON 30TH JULY, 2025
TELECOM REGULATORY AUTHORITY OF INDIA
†1654. SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATION be pleased to state:
(a) the total number of members including Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of
India (TRAI);
(b) the category-wise (Unreserved, Other Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled
Tribes) details of TRAI members including the percentage thereof in accordance with their
categories;
(c) the details of the number and percentage of Chairman/Chiefs appointed by the Union
Government during the last three years, category-wise; and
(d) the details of the overall percentage of all categories of officers (Group 'A', 'B', 'C',
Contractual, Outsourced, Consultant/Advisor, etc.) currently working in TRAI, category-wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India consists of the Chairperson, two Whole-time
Members and two Part-time Members.
(b) At present, there are two Whole-time Members and two Part-time Members in TRAI. Since
these posts are not under purview of extant reservation rules, category-wise information is not
available.
(c) The Chairperson, TRAI was appointed in the year 2024. Since the post of Chairperson in
TRAI is not under purview of extant reservation rules, category-wise information is not available.
(d) The desired information is furnished in Annexure-I enclosed herewith.
1Annexure-I
Annexure-I referred to in answer to part (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1654 to be answered on 30.07.2025
Detail of employees working in TRAI
Currently working in TRAI Category-wise Details of TRAI cadre employees
Unreserved OBC SC ST
Sl. TRAI
Group On
No. Cadre Total
Deputation Total Percentage* Total Percentage* Total Percentage* Total Percentage*
employees
1 Group ‘A’ 64 59 123 51 79.7 5 7.8 7 10.9 1 1.6
2 Group ‘B’ 63 22 85 38 60.3 18 28.6 7 11.1 0 0.0
3 Group ‘C’ 21 0 21 9 42.9 2 9.5 10 47.6 0 0.0
Overall 148 81 229 98 66.2 25 16.9 24 16.2 1 0.7
*Percentage has been worked out based on TRAI Cadre employees as extant reservation rules are not applicable to appointments on deputation basis.
In addition to above, total 58 contractual staff (Research Associates, Young Professionals & Consultants), taken on temporary basis, are working on
the pay roll of TRAI. Category-wise details of contractual staff is not maintained, as extant reservation rules are not applicable to appointments on
contract basis.
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