**Executive Summary**
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the ‘Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity (Amendment) Regulations, 2026’ on 13th May 2026. These amendments refine the 2024 regulatory framework to improve transparency, incorporate phased assessments for under-construction properties, and introduce an optional audit mechanism. The regulations and the associated revised Rating Manual came into force effective 13th May 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Expanded Rating Scale**
* The rating framework now includes half-star levels, expanding the scale from five to nine levels.
* This change is designed to provide better differentiation between properties and highlight incremental improvements in infrastructure.
* **Phased Assessment for Under-Construction Properties**
* **Design Stage:** DCRAs will evaluate design documents to issue a ‘Designed For’ certificate.
* **Installation Stage:** Following construction and In-Building Solution (IBS) installation, an ‘Installation Completed For’ certificate will be issued.
* **Final Stage:** A ‘Final’ rating is awarded once digital connectivity services become operational.
* **Optional Digital Connectivity Audit**
* Property managers can now engage a registered Digital Connectivity Rating Agency (DCRA) for an audit without entering the formal rating process.
* The audit provides a gap analysis and sub-criteria-wise assessment to encourage proactive infrastructure enhancements.
* **Refined Property Categorization**
* Property types have been realigned with specific assessment methodologies to better reflect actual usage characteristics and digital requirements.
* **Strengthened Code of Conduct for DCRAs**
* New provisions reinforce the independence and transparency of assessments.
* DCRAs engaged in the business of providing Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) are prohibited from assessing properties where another DCRA provided the DCI.
* **Updated Technical Standards**
* All references to the National Building Code (NBC) 2016 have been replaced with the National Building Construction Standards (NBCS) 2026.
**Impact Analysis**
**Property Managers**
**Impact**
Managers of residential and commercial properties gain a mechanism to market under-construction buildings via phased certifications and can utilize optional audits to identify infrastructure gaps.
**Action Required**
Must ensure DCI design documents are approved and submitted for phased evaluation if seeking ratings for new constructions; may engage DCRAs for optional audits of existing infrastructure.
**Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs)**
**Impact**
DCRAs face more rigorous independence requirements and a more granular nine-level rating system for assessments.
**Action Required**
Must update assessment procedures to include half-star levels, perform phased evaluations for construction projects, and adhere to the strengthened Code of Conduct regarding conflicts of interest.
**In-Building Solution (IBS) and Telecom Service Providers**
**Impact**
These stakeholders are impacted by stricter alignment with National Building Construction Standards (NBCS) 2026 and increased accountability for integrating networks with building infrastructure.
**Action Required**
Must ensure that the installation of telecommunication networks and IBS complies with the updated 2026 standards and matches the design commitments made by property managers.
Key Entities Referenced
Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity (Amendment) Regulations, 2026: The primary regulatory framework released to refine the assessment and star-rating of digital infrastructure in residential and commercial properties.
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): The statutory regulator for telecommunications in India that issued these regulations and oversees the digital connectivity rating framework.
Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs): Independent bodies authorized to conduct audits and evaluations of digital connectivity infrastructure to issue certificates and final ratings.
National Building Construction Standards (NBCS), 2026: The updated standards issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) incorporated into the new regulations to replace the 2016 National Building Code.
Rating Manual: The key technical document that outlines the methodologies and refined assessment criteria for property managers and rating agencies.
Ministry of Communications
TRAI releases ‘Rating of Properties for Digital
Connectivity (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (3
of 2026)’
Posted On: 14 MAY 2026 3:23PM by PIB Delhi
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the ‘Rating of Properties for Digital
Connectivity (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (3 of 2026)’ on 13th May 2026.
TRAI had issued a Consultation Paper on 27th February 2026 seeking stakeholder inputs on certain
proposed amendments to the Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024 and the
Rating Manual, based on implementation experience. During the course of implementation, stakeholder
interactions, and capacity-building exercises, TRAI received feedback from Property Managers, Digital
Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs), service providers, and other stakeholders regarding certain
practical aspects of implementation. These included issues relating to differentiation of rating levels,
assessment of under-construction properties, categorisation of property types, and the need to enable
property managers of existing properties to assess digital connectivity infrastructure prior to applying for
formal ratings.
Based on stakeholder comments, implementation experience, and further analysis, the following key
amendments and refinements have been incorporated into the Regulations:
i) Additional ‘Star’ Rating Levels: The rating framework has been refined by introducing additional
half-star levels, thereby expanding the rating scale from five to nine levels. This refinement will enable
better differentiation among properties, provide greater visibility to incremental improvements in digital
connectivity infrastructure and service performance, and help consumers make more informed
comparisons between properties.
ii) Under-Construction Properties Eligible to Apply for Ratings: A large proportion of residential and
commercial properties are marketed and sold during the construction phase itself. To enable consumers to
have visibility into the level of digital connectivity infrastructure (DCI) planned for under-construction
properties, the rating framework has been strengthened through a phased assessment mechanism.
Under the revised framework, the DCRA shall evaluate the design-stage DCI based on approved DCI
design documents and declarations submitted by the property manager and issue an evaluation report
along with a ‘Designed For’ certificate for the property. Thereafter, upon completion of construction and
installation of In-Building Solutions (IBS), the DCRA shall evaluate the implementation of DCI in the
property and issue an evaluation report along with an ‘Installation Completed For’ certificate. Finally, the
DCRA shall undertake evaluation and award the ‘Final’ rating after the digital connectivity services
become operational.
These measures are expected to improve transparency during the construction phase, encourage early
integration of digital connectivity infrastructure in building design, and strengthen accountability between
design commitments and actual implementation.iii) Alignment of Property Types with Assessment Criteria: The categorisation of certain property types
has been refined to improve alignment between property usage characteristics and applicable assessment
methodologies. These refinements are intended to improve clarity, ensure more appropriate applicability
of assessment criteria, and better reflect actual digital connectivity requirements across different property
types.
iv) Optional Digital Connectivity Audit: It was observed that certain property managers of existing
properties may wish to first evaluate the existing status of digital connectivity infrastructure in their
properties, identify gaps, and undertake improvements before applying for a formal rating. In view of this,
an Optional Digital Connectivity Audit has been introduced.
Under this mechanism, property managers may engage a registered DCRA to undertake an audit of the
existing Digital Connectivity Infrastructure without entering into the formal rating process. The audit
report will provide a sub-criteria-wise assessment of the existing status of digital connectivity
infrastructure along with areas requiring improvement. This mechanism is expected to encourage
proactive enhancement of digital connectivity infrastructure and support wider adoption of the Digital
Connectivity Rating framework.
v) Revision in Code of Conduct for DCRAs: The Code of Conduct for DCRAs has been strengthened to
further reinforce independence and transparency in assessments. It has also been clarified that any DCRA
engaged in the business of providing Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) shall not undertake digital
connectivity assessment of properties where another DCRA has provided the DCI.
vi) Incorporation of References to National Building Construction Standards (NBCS), 2026: The
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued the National Building Construction Standards (NBCS), 2026,
revising the earlier National Building Code (NBC), 2016. Accordingly, references to the NBC have been
substituted with NBCS.
The Regulations shall apply to property managers seeking rating or audit of properties for digital
connectivity, Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies, In-Building Solution Providers establishing IBS
within properties, and service providers integrating their telecommunication networks with the digital
communication infrastructure, including IBS, of the properties for provision of telecommunication
services.
The above amendments and refinements are aimed at enhancing clarity, improving implementation,
strengthening transparency and accountability, facilitating wider participation of relevant stakeholders,
and promoting robust, future-ready, and non-discriminatory digital connectivity infrastructure across
properties, while preserving the core principles and objectives of the Digital Connectivity Rating
framework.
The revised Rating Manual, incorporating the above amendments and refinements arising from
stakeholder consultations and implementation experience, shall also be published on the TRAI website.
The amendments to the Regulations have been placed on TRAI’s website (www.trai.gov.in) and shall
come into force with effect from 13th May 2026.
For additional queries, please contact: Shri Tejpal Singh, Advisor (QoS-1)
E-mail: adv-qos1@trai.gov.in | Tel: +91-11-20907759
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