The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has officially withdrawn a duplicate Gazette notification issued last month, providing crucial clarification that the amended Telecommunication Cyber Security (TCS) Rules, 2025 remain fully operational and legally binding.
Notification Error Corrected
In a significant clarification issued on Thursday, the DoT confirmed that the amended TCS Rules notified on October 22, 2025 continue to be in effect, despite an inadvertent republication of the same notification on October 29. The error occurred when the TCS amendment notification was mistakenly republished instead of a different rule intended for public consultation.
The department rectified this mistake through notification GSR 863(E) on November 25, effectively rescinding the duplicate publication. "This error now stands rectified... and this rescindment in no way invalidates the original amendment to TCS Rule that brought it into effect in the first place," the DoT emphasized in an official statement.
Strengthening India's Digital Defense
The updated TCS framework specifically addresses growing cyber vulnerabilities resulting from the deep integration of telecom identifiers—including mobile numbers, devices, and other telecom resources—into essential digital services such as banking, e-commerce, and e-governance platforms.
Among the key initiatives introduced is the establishment of a Mobile Number Validation (MNV) platform, designed to combat the alarming rise in mule accounts and identity fraud cases. This decentralized, privacy-compliant mechanism will enable service providers to verify whether a mobile number genuinely belongs to the individual whose credentials are on record, thereby enhancing trust in digital transactions.
Tighter Controls on Device Market
The amended rules also introduce stricter scrutiny measures for the rapidly expanding second-hand device market. Entities involved in the resale or refurbishment of mobile devices must now verify every handset's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) against a centralized blacklist before resale.
This critical measure aims to prevent the circulation of cloned, stolen, or blacklisted phones while protecting consumers from potential legal complications. Additionally, the updated framework establishes stronger data-sharing protocols, requiring banks, e-commerce platforms, and other entities using telecom identifiers to share relevant data with government authorities under regulated conditions.
The DoT clarified that this enhanced data-sharing mechanism is intended to improve traceability, accountability, and coordination in combating telecom-enabled cyber fraud, while maintaining strict compliance with data protection standards.
According to the department, these comprehensive amendments collectively work to "safeguard India's digital ecosystem against telecom-enabled frauds, strengthen device traceability, and ensure responsible use of telecom identifiers." The TCS Amendment Rules, 2025, represent a "decisive step" toward building a more resilient and future-ready telecom cybersecurity framework for the nation.
