The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) jointly govern the Indian telecom sector — TRAI on economic regulation (tariffs, QoS, interconnect) and DoT on licensing, security, and lawful interception. The Lawful Interception and Monitoring (LIM) framework mandates that all licensed telecom operators and ISPs maintain technical capability for security agencies to lawfully intercept communications under orders issued under Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act 1885 and the Information Technology Act 2000.
The Indian Telecommunication Act 2023 (replacing the legacy 1885 Telegraph Act) significantly updated the LIM framework — expanding interception powers, introducing encrypted communication handling requirements, and strengthening compliance obligations for OTT communication services. For network operators, ILL providers, and internet service firms, LIM readiness is not optional — it is a license condition, and non-compliance leads to suspension of UL/ISP authorisation.