Which of the following number series was prescribed by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on 16 December 2025 for IRDAI-regulated entities to use for consumer service and transactional calls, to be implemented by 15 February 2026?

Options / विकल्प

A. 1500 series
B. 1900 series
C. 1400 series
D. 1600 series

Correct Answer / सही उत्तर

✅ D. 1600 series

Detailed Explanation / विस्तृत व्याख्या

1600 Series

Hindi

16 दिसंबर 2025 को TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) ने निर्देश जारी किया कि IRDAI, RBI, SEBI और PFRDA द्वारा विनियमित संस्थाएँ उपभोक्ता सेवा (Customer Service) एवं लेन-देन संबंधी (Transactional) कॉलों के लिए 1600 Series का उपयोग करें।

इसका उद्देश्य:

फर्जी कॉल (Fraud Calls) को कम करना
ग्राहकों को वास्तविक कॉल पहचानने में मदद करना
वित्तीय धोखाधड़ी और वॉइस फिशिंग (Vishing) को रोकना

English

On 16 December 2025, TRAI mandated that entities regulated by IRDAI, RBI, SEBI, and PFRDA use the 1600 Series for service and transactional calls.

The objective is to:

Distinguish genuine financial calls from spam calls
Reduce fraud and phishing attempts
Improve consumer trust in financial communications

Why 1600 Series Was Introduced?

Hindi

पहले ग्राहकों के लिए यह पहचानना कठिन था कि कॉल बैंक, बीमा कंपनी या किसी धोखेबाज द्वारा की जा रही है। 1600 Series इस समस्या का समाधान करती है।

English

Consumers often found it difficult to distinguish legitimate calls from fraudulent ones. The 1600 Series provides a recognizable number range for trusted service and transactional communications.

Why Other Options Are Incorrect?

1400 Series

❌ Promotional / Telemarketing Calls

विज्ञापन एवं मार्केटिंग कॉलों के लिए प्रयुक्त
Commercial Communication category

1900 Series

❌ Mobile Number Portability (MNP)

MNP (Mobile Number Portability) से संबंधित सेवाओं में उपयोग

1500 Series

❌ Government and Utility Helplines

विभिन्न सरकारी एवं सार्वजनिक सेवा हेल्पलाइन नंबरों के लिए प्रयुक्त

Important Organizations Covered

The 1600 Series applies to entities regulated by:

Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)

Exam Facts / परीक्षा हेतु महत्वपूर्ण तथ्य

✅ TRAI Notification: 16 December 2025

✅ Implementation Date: 15 February 2026

✅ 1600 Series = Service & Transactional Calls

✅ 1400 Series = Promotional Calls

✅ Objective: Reduce spam, fraud and vishing attacks

One-Liner

TRAI prescribed the 1600 Series for service and transactional calls by regulated financial entities.

TRAI ने विनियमित वित्तीय संस्थानों की सेवा एवं लेन-देन संबंधी कॉलों के लिए 1600 Series निर्धारित की।