# India mandates AI spam detection and robocall charges

> Trai introduces new rules requiring telecom operators to use AI for spam detection and charges automated calls to fight unwanted communication.
- Title: India mandates AI spam detection and robocall charges
- Summary: Trai introduces new rules requiring telecom operators to use AI for spam detection and charges automated calls to fight unwanted communication. Indian…
- Keywords: trai, telecom regulatory authority of india, spam calls, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robocalls, a2p calls, telecom operators, india, telecom commercial communications custom, mandates, spam
- Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/trai-mandates-ai-based-spam-detection-imposes-charge-on-robocalls-to-curb-unsolicited-calls/articleshow/134342102.cms
- Author: ET Bureau
- Published: 2026-09-18T18:13:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: trai, telecom regulatory authority of india, spam calls, artificial intelligence, machine learning, robocalls, a2p calls, telecom operators, india, telecom commercial communications custom
## AI spam detection now mandatory
Trai requires all telecom operators to use artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect suspected spam calls and share intelligence with other operators.
## Robocalls now cost money
A new termination charge of 5 paise per minute applies to application-to-person calls or robocalls used for bulk calling. Regular commercial calls remain exempt.
## Pre-declaration required for automated calls
Entities using robocalls must pre-declare their use with telecom providers along with the numbers. Failure to do so means the calls will be treated as spam.
## Graded penalties for repeat offenders
If five or more numbers from a sender are flagged within 10 days, telcos must take action including KYC re-verification, physical checks, and possible disconnection.
## Protected numbers can't be blocked
Calls from 1600 and 140 number series cannot be flagged as spam by telcos or call management apps to ensure important commercial and government calls reach users.

> Such tagging, without the safeguards built into the regulatory mechanism, risk mislabelling genuine commercial communications and government communications as spam
## Consumer appeals mechanism added
Trai has introduced a new consumer appeals mechanism as part of the third amendment to the 2018 Telecom Commercial Communications Customer Preference Regulations.
## Key takeaway

Indian telecom operators must now use AI to detect spam calls and charge 5 paise per minute for automated robocalls.