Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Communications on 31st July 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) conducted a training workshop on July 31, 2026, for empanelled auditors to enhance audit quality within the Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) ecosystem. The workshop addressed new amendments to the Interconnection Regulation and audit Manual, which became effective on April 1, 2026. Central to these changes is the mandate for distributors to submit annual audit reports to broadcasters by the deadline of September 30.
Key Points / Main Content
Regulatory and Timeline Amendments
The audit cycle has shifted from a calendar year basis to a financial year basis.
Distributors must conduct audits and submit the resulting reports to broadcasters by September 30 every year.
Amendments to the Interconnection Regulation and audit Manual are effective as of April 1, 2026.
Audit Transparency and Dispute Resolution
Broadcasters are permitted to depute representatives to oversee the audit process to ensure transparency and credibility.
Broadcasters can seek clarifications regarding inadequacies or discrepancies in reports from the auditor via the Distribution Platform Operator (DPO).
Auditors are mandated to provide clarifications to broadcasters in a time-bound manner.
If a broadcaster remains unsatisfied with clarifications, they may conduct an independent audit at their own cost, pending approval from the Authority.
Broadcasters may initiate an audit of a distributor if the audit report is not received by the September 30 deadline.
Provisions for Ease of Doing Business
Annual audits at the DPO's expense are now optional for distributors with fewer than 30,000 subscribers.
Broadcasters maintain the right to audit these smaller DPOs at the broadcaster's own expense.
Audit Scope and Objectives
Audits verify the accuracy of technical and commercial reports, including subscriber declarations.
The process ensures compliance with requirements for Subscriber Management Systems (SMS), Conditional Access Systems (CAS), and fingerprinting.
Impact Analysis
Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs)Impact
DPOs must now align their reporting with the financial year and meet a strict annual submission deadline. Smaller DPOs (under 30,000 subscribers) benefit from reduced regulatory costs as mandatory annual audits at their own expense have become optional.
Action Required
Distributors must ensure that audits are completed and reports are submitted to broadcasters by September 30 annually to avoid broadcaster-initiated audits.
BroadcastersImpact
Broadcasters gained increased oversight and the authority to challenge audit discrepancies or delays. They now have the right to be present during audits and the power to trigger independent audits.
Action Required
Broadcasters must monitor the receipt of reports by September 30 and coordinate with auditors and DPOs to resolve any identified discrepancies in a timely manner.
Empanelled Audit FirmsImpact
Auditors are subject to higher standards of accountability and are required to provide time-bound responses to queries from broadcasters. They must align their audit outcomes with updated technical and commercial regulatory requirements.
Action Required
Audit firms must adapt their procedures to the financial year cycle and ensure their staff are trained on the amended Interconnection Regulation and audit Manual.
Key Entities Referenced
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): The primary regulatory body that organized the workshop to improve audit quality and regulatory compliance within the television broadcasting distribution ecosystem.
Interconnection Regulation and Audit Manual: The key regulatory documents governing the audit framework for Digital Addressable Systems, which were recently amended to define audit timelines and procedures.
Digital Addressable Systems (DAS): The television broadcasting distribution ecosystem that is subject to mandatory technical and commercial audits by TRAI-empanelled firms.
Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti: The Chairman of TRAI who outlined the authority's objective to foster a fair environment and ensure system compliance through transparent audit processes.
Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Limited (BECIL): An entity that provided expert presentations during the workshop regarding audit outcomes and technical requirements.
Ministry of Communications
TRAI Hosts Workshop to Improve Quality of
Audit in Digital Addressable Systems ( DAS )
Ecosystem
प्रव तथ: 31 JUL 2026 6:07PM by PIB Delhi
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today organised a workshop for the training of
empanelled audit firms for Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) audit. Hosted at TRAI Headquarters in
New Delhi, the workshop underscores a major step toward promoting regulatory compliance and fostering
greater transparency across the television broadcasting distribution ecosystem.
Attended by TRAI-empanelled auditors and representatives from the broadcasting industry i.e.
broadcasters as well as Distribution Platform Operators, the day-long workshop served as a valuable
platform for exchanging observations, insights, learnings, and experiences gained during audit processes.
The workshop was attended by 81 participants in physical mode and 52 participants through online mode.
To address the issues related to audit framework, amendments to the Interconnection Regulation and audit
Manual have been issued this year which are effective from 1st April 2026. The salient features of the
amended regulation include:
Clearly defined timelines for audits; wherein distributors have to conduct audit and submit audit report to
broadcasters by 30th September every year.
Audit is to be done on financial year basis in place of earlier calendar year.
Broadcasters can depute their representative during audit to ensure transparency and credibility of the
audit process.
If broadcasters find inadequacies/discrepancies in audit report, they can seek clarifications from the
auditor through DPO. Auditors must address the same in a time-bound manner.
If broadcaster is not satisfied with these clarifications, it can get the audit conducted at its own cost, after
obtaining approval of the Authority.
In case a broadcaster does not receive the audit report by 30th September from the distributor, it can cause
audit of such a distributor.To promote ease of doing business, the requirement of annual audit at DPOs cost has been made optional
for distributors with fewer than 30000 subscribers. However, broadcasters can get such DPOs audited at
broadcasters’ cost.
Quote from TRAI Chairman
“TRAI’s primary objective is to foster a fair and equitable environment for all stakeholders. Its regulatory
decisions reflect a commitment to balancing the interests of broadcasters, distributors, and other service
providers, while placing consumer welfare at the heart of the decision-making process,” said Shri Anil
Kumar Lahoti, Chairman, TRAI.
He added, “Audits conducted by TRAI-empanelled auditors are essential to ensure that the systems
deployed by Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs) conform to the prescribed technical requirements.
The annual audit process verifies the accuracy of both technical and commercial reports, including
subscriber declarations and compliance with addressable system requirements relating to Conditional
Access Systems (CAS), Subscriber Management Systems (SMS), fingerprinting, and other regulatory
provisions. By ensuring transparency, accountability, and adherence to established standards, these audits
play a vital role in strengthening and sustaining a trust-based broadcasting ecosystem.”
The workshop was convened following industry requests made to the Authority for periodic training of
auditors on audit processes and procedures, and for improving the quality of audit reports by aligning
audit outcomes with technical and commercial requirements. Sessions featured expert presentations by
BECIL, audit firms, and industry stakeholders.
*****
NJ/AR
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2292617) आगंतुक पटल : 370
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही