Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

TRAI was established with effect from February 20, 1997, by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act 1997. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s headquarter is located in New Delhi.

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Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: Indian Constitution- Statutory, regulatory, and various quasi-judicial bodies.

भारतीय दूरसंचार नियामक प्राधिकरण (ट्राई) | ट्राई के बारे में, संरचना, निष्कासन एवं प्रमुख उद्देश्य

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in News

Recently, Union Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology inaugurated a seminar to commemorate the 25 years-long journey of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act.

About: TRAI was established with effect from February 20, 1997, by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act 1997.
- Setting Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) was necessary after opening up the telecommunication sector to private operators.
TRAI Headquarters: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s headquarter is located in New Delhi.
Legal Status: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is a statutory authority set up under the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Act 1997.
Mandate: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)’s mandate is to regulate telecom services, including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services.
- These responsibilities were earlier vested in the Central Government.

Major Reforms in Telecom Sector

Key Objectives of TRAI

Growth of the Telecommunication Sector: TRAI’s mission is to create and nurture conditions for the growth of telecommunications in the country.
Regulating Telecom Services: TRAI regulates telecom services including fixation/revision of tariffs for telecom services that were earlier vested in the Central Government.
Ensuring Fair and Transparent Policy Environment: TRAI also aims to provide a fair and transparent policy environment for the telecom sector.
- This promotes a level playing field and facilitates fair competition.

Composition of TRAI

TRAI Members Appointments: TRAI members are appointed by the Government of India.
TRAI Members: The TRAI consists of-
- A Chairperson,
- Two whole-time members and
- Two part-time members
Tenure of TRAI Members: The Chairperson and other members shall hold their office for a term of three years or till the age of 65 years, whichever is earlier.
Chairperson: The Chairperson has the powers of general superintendence. He/She presides over the meetings of the TRAI.
Vice-Chairperson: The Central Government may appoint one of the members of the Authority as the Vice-Chairperson of TRAI.
- Responsibility: He/She exercises and discharges the powers and functions of the Chairperson in his/her absence.

Removal of TRAI Members

Removing Authority: The Central Government is empowered to remove any member of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).
Grounds of Removal: TRAI Act mentions following grounds on which the central government can remove a TRAI Member. A person can be removed from TRAI office if he/she-
- has been adjudged an insolvent
- has been convicted of an offence that involves moral turpitude
- has become physically or mentally incapable of acting as a member
- has abused his/her position; rendering his/her continuance in office prejudicial to the public interest.