TRAI releases Draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services DRM-based Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual, 2026

Ministry of Communications TRAI releases Draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services DRM- based Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual, 2026

Posted On: 09 OCT 2026 2:14PM by PIB Delhi The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has today issued the Draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Rights Management (DRM) based Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual, 2026 for seeking comments from the stakeholders.

The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017 (hereafter referred to as ‘Interconnection Regulations’) mandate annual audit of the Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) of the distributors of television channels, including CAS, SMS, DRM and other related systems, subject to the provisions of the Regulations. Schedule X of the Interconnection Regulations specifies requirements for DRM-based systems, primarily for IPTV-based distribution services.

The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual, 2026, issued on 10th March 2026, provides detailed clause-wise audit procedures for systems covered under Schedule III, including CAS, SMS and STB based systems. The need for a similar manual detailing audit procedures for DRM-based systems as per Schedule X of ‘Interconnection Regulations’ was highlighted by various stakeholders, including IPTV operators, broadcasters and auditors.

Accordingly, the Authority, has prepared the Draft DRM Audit Manual to provide detailed procedures for auditing compliance of DRM systems to Schedule X of the ‘Interconnection Regulations’. The Audit Manual is proposed as a guidance document for stakeholders during the conduct of audit.

The salient features of the Draft DRM Audit Manual include:

1. A dedicated clause-wise procedure to verify compliance with Schedule X, covering DRM requirements for SMS, conditional access/encryption, fingerprinting, and STB/software applications.

2. Scope of work, documentary requirements and audit procedures for pre- signal/compliance audit and the annual Subscription audit.

3. Prescribed timelines for completion of audits.4. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities of the Distribution Platform Operator

(DPO), the Broadcaster and the Auditor during the audit process; and

5. Standard formats for vendor declarations, audit forms and audit reports.

The Draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services DRM-based Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual, 2026 has been placed on TRAI's website (www.trai.gov.in).

Written inputs, comments and suggestions if any, supported by detailed reasons, justification and relevant data/evidence are invited from the stakeholders by 30.10.2026.

The comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form on the email ID advbcs- 2@trai.gov.in and jtadvbcs-3@trai.gov.in. For any clarification/information, Dr. Deepali Sharma, Advisor (B&CS), TRAI, may be contacted at email ID: advbcs-2@trai.gov.in or Telephone +91-11-20907774.

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