Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Officers and Other Employees) Rules, 2025 : Department of Telecommunications Gazette Notification dated 18.12.2025
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
(Department of Telecommunications)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 18th December, 2025
G.S.R. 909(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (ca) of sub-section (2) of section 35 of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 (24 of 1997) and in supersession of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Salary, Allowances and other conditions of Service of the officers and employees) Rules, 2002, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such supersession, the Central Government hereby makes the following rules regulating the method of recruitment and conditions of service of officers and employees in the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, namely:-
CHAPTER – I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title and commencement.—(1) These rules may be called the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Recruitment and Conditions of Service of Officers and Other Employees) Rules, 2025.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Definitions.—(1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) “Act” means the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act, 1997 (24 of 1997);
(b) “appointing authority” means the Chairperson of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India or a Member or an officer of the Authority exercising the powers delegated by the Authority under the Act;
(c) “Authority” means the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India established under sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Act;
(d) “officials” means the officers and employees of the Authority and includes officers on deputation;
(e) “grade” means a grade as specified in rule 5;
(f) “post” means any post in a grade, whether permanent or temporary, specified in Schedule-I;
(g) “Selection Committee” means a committee constituted by the Authority to consider the selection of candidates for appointment as officers and other employees; and
(h) “Schedule” means the Schedules annexed to these rules.
(2) Words and expressions used herein and not defined in these rules but defined in the Act, shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.
3. Application. – These rules shall apply to the cadres specified in column (1) of Schedule-I.
4. Constitution of cadre.— (1) The cadre in the Authority shall consist of the officials appointed to any of the grade specified under these rules.
(2) Any person appointed shall be deemed to be a member of the cadre in the grade applicable to him from the date of his initial appointment with the Authority.
(3) The officials holding posts in various grades in the Authority on regular basis on or before the date of commencement of these rules shall be deemed to have been appointed to that grade under these rules. 5. Categories of grade. –
5. Category of grade. – (1) The cadre in the Authority shall consist of the following grades, namely:-
| Sl. No. | Grade | Scale of pay (Level in pay matrix) |
| 1. | Secretary | Pay Level-15 (Rs.182200-224100) |
| 2. | Principal Advisor | Pay Level-15 (Rs.182200-224100) |
| 3. | Advisor | Pay Level-14 (Rs.144200-218200) |
| 4. | Joint Advisor | Pay Level-13 (Rs.123100-215900) |
| 5. | Deputy Advisor | Pay Level-12 (Rs.78800-209200) |
| 6. | Senior Principal Private Secretary |
Pay Level-12 (Rs.78800-209200) |
| 7. | Senior Research Officer | Pay Level-11 (Rs.67700-208700) |
| 8. | Principal Private Secretary | Pay Level-11 (Rs.67700-208700) |
| 9. | Technical Officer | Pay Level-10 (Rs.56100-177500) |
| 10. | Section Officer | Pay Level-7 (Rs.44900-142400) |
| 11. | Private Secretary | Pay Level-7 (Rs.44900-142400) |
| 12. | Junior Hindi Translator | Pay Level-6 (Rs.35400-112400) |
| 13. | Assistant | Pay Level-6 (Rs.35400-112400) |
| 14. | Personal Assistant | Pay Level-6 (Rs.35400-112400) |
| 15. | Lower Division Clerk | Pay Level-2 (Rs.19900-63200) |
| 16. | Staff Car Driver (Special Grade) |
Pay Level-6 (Rs.35400-112400) |
| 17. | Staff Car Driver (Grade-I) | Pay Level-5 (Rs.29200-93200) |
| 18. | Staff Car Driver (Grade-II) | Pay Level-4 (Rs.25500-81100) |
| 19. | Staff Car Driver (Ordinary Grade) |
Pay Level-2 (Rs.19900-63200) |
| 20. | Multi tasking Staff | Pay Level-1 (Rs.18000-56900) |
(2) The number of grades in the cadre may vary as the Central Government may deem necessary.
CHAPTER – II
CONDITIONS AND PROCEDURE FOR APPOINTMENT
6) Number of posts, classification, level in pay matrix.- The number of said posts, their classification, level in pay matrix attached thereto shall be as specified in column (2) to (4) of Schedule-I.
7) Method of recruitment.— (1) The vacancy in any of the grades shall be filled up in the manner specified in Schedule-I.
(2) The appointment in each grade shall be made on the recommendations of the Selection Committee.
(3) The method of recruitment, age-limit, qualifications and other matters shall be as specified in columns (5) to (13) of Schedule-I.
8) Disqualification. — No person,-
(a) who has entered into or contracted a marriage with a person having a spouse living, or
(b) who, having a spouse living, has entered into or contracted a marriage with any person, shall be eligible for appointment to the said posts:
Provided that the Central Government may, if satisfied that such marriage is permissible under the personal law applicable to such person and the other party to the marriage and that there are other grounds for so doing, exempt any person from the operation of this rule.
9. Procedure for making direct recruitment.—The following procedure shall be followed in making direct recruitment, namely:-
(i) the vacancies shall be advertised in at least two leading English and Hindi national dailies and the Employment News and on the official website of the Authority;
(ii) the minimum qualifications and age-limit for appointment to a post shall be
as specified in Schedule-I;
(iii) the candidates may apply in the manner specified in the advertisement;
(iv) the applications received beyond the timeline specified in the advertisement or which are from candidates who do not satisfy the eligibility criteria, shall not be considered;
(v) the eligible candidates shall be required to appear for a competitive examination that may comprise of a written test or technical assessment or combination of both or any other process as determined by the Selection Committee;
(vi) the final selection shall be made by the appointing authority on the recommendations of the Selection Committee:
Provided that the Authority, where it considers fit, may entrust the job of selection of suitable candidates to any professional agency engaged in such activity, and in case of recruitment made through a Government body, such as the Union Public Service Commission, the Staff Selection Commission or any other body, the process of recruitment adopted by such body shall be applicable:
Provided further that the Authority may, where it considers expedient so to do, call candidates for technical assessment or interview, based on their performance in the national level examinations such as Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering, National Eligibility Test, Common Law Admission Test for Post Graduate:
Provided also that there shall be no interview for recruitment to the posts of Assistant and below as per the instructions of the DoP&T’s O.M. No. 39020/01/2013-Estt (B) dated the 9th October,2015:
Provided also that the successful candidate shall be required to undertake medical examination with a medical officer specified by the Central Government;
(vii) the appointing authority may maintain a reserve panel of candidates on the
basis of their performance in the selection process, who may be offered employment against future vacancies:
Provided that such reserve panel shall remain valid for a period not exceeding twelve months from the date of its approval by the appointing authority;
(viii) if the candidate is not found to be in good mental or physical health, or is found to have any mental or physical deficiency which is likely to interfere with the discharge of the duties of the service, such candidate shall not be appointed to the post;
(ix) on appointment, the candidates shall be on probation for a period as specified in column (9) of Schedule-I, and shall be confirmed only if they have completed the period of probation and their services and conduct have been found to be satisfactory:
Provided that in case the services or conduct of a candidate during the period of probation are not found to be satisfactory, the authority may—
i. extend the period of probation, up to a period of one year; or
ii. terminate the services of such candidate after giving one month notice or payment of substantive pay for one month in lieu thereof.
10. Procedure for Promotion— (1) The following procedure shall be followed in case of promotion, namely:—
(a) appointment by promotion to different grades shall be made from the respective feeder grades as specified in column (11) of Schedule-I;
(b) promotion shall be made on the recommendations of the Departmental Promotion Committee.
(2) Mere fulfilment of eligibility criteria shall not confer any right upon any incumbent for claiming promotion to the next higher grade, which shall be considered subject to administrative expediency, keeping in view the availability of vacancies in the next higher grade.
11. Procedure of Deputation.—The following procedure shall be followed in case of deputation, namely:—
(a) the vacancies shall be widely circulated amongst the Central Government Ministries or Departments, the State Governments, the Union territories Administrations, autonomous bodies, statutory organisations and public sector undertakings of the Central Government, the State Governments and the Union territories Administration;
(b) officers borne on the cadre of the Authority and possessing requisite qualifications and experience are also eligible for applying to the posts of Secretary, Principal Advisor and Advisor:
Provided that in case an officer borne on the cadre of the Authority is appointed on deputation basis, the service rendered by such officer in the authority, both before and after such appointment on deputation basis, shall be counted for grant of retirement benefits;
(c) the maximum age-limit for persons to be appointed on deputation basis to the posts of Secretary, Principal Advisor and Advisor shall not exceed fifty- eight years on the closing date of receipt of applications for filling up the said posts and for all other posts shall not exceed fifty-six years or as specified by the Central Government from time to time;
(d) the period of deputation including the period of deputation in another ex-cadre post held immediately preceding appointment in the Authority in the same or some other organization or department of the Central Government shall ordinarily not exceed five years which can be extended upto seven years, on year to year basis, with the approval of Secretary of Administrative Ministry for the sixth year and with the approval of the Minister-in-charge of Administrative Ministry for the seventh year;
(e) the appointment shall be made on the recommendations of the Selection Committee.
12. Absorption. — (1) The officials appointed on deputation in a post and willing to get absorbed in the Authority may, on completion of two years of deputation in such post, exercise their option for absorption in the Authority in such post, on being called upon to do so by the Authority; and submit in writing, the willingness to get absorbed in the Authority.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-rule (1), the appointing authority may absorb any such person referred to in sub-rule (1), subject to the following conditions, namely:-
(a) on recommendation of the Selection Committee, having regard to the suitability and the requirement of such person in the Authority;
(b) after obtaining cadre clearance from the parent organisation for absorption of such person; and
(c) having been found to be free from disciplinary and vigilance angle.
13. Appointment on contract basis. — The Authority may, for reasons to be recorded in writing, appoint persons on contract basis for a specified period, to meet short term requirements or when the sanctioned posts cannot be filled through the mode of recruitment as specified herein:
Provided that the initial tenure of any contractual appointment shall be for three years which can be extended upto five years on year to year basis with the approval of the Authority.
14. Pay fixation. — On appointment in the Authority, the pay shall be fixed as per the existing orders or instructions of the Central Government.
15. Seniority.— (1) The relative seniority of members of the cadre shall be fixed by the Authority and unless decided otherwise on account of special reasons, be governed by their relative seniority existing on the date of commencement of these rules.
(2) All members of the cadre included in the initial formation of the cadre in any grade shall rank senior to all members appointed to that grade subsequently.
(3) The inter-se seniority of persons appointed to the same grade on direct recruitment basis shall be determined by the order of merit assigned by the Selection Committee, and the persons appointed as a result of an earlier selection shall rank senior to those appointed as a result of a subsequent selection.
(4) The inter-se seniority of persons appointed to the same grade on promotion basis shall be determined by their relative seniority in the lower grade from which they are promoted.
(5) In the case of a person who Is initially appointed on deputation and absorbed later, his seniority in the grade in which he or she is absorbed shall normally be counted from the date of absorption, if he or she has, however, been holding already (on the date of absorption) the same or equivalent grade on regular basis in his or her parent department, such regular service in the grade shall also be taken into account in fixing his/her seniority, subject to the condition that he or she shall be given seniority from —
– the date he or she has been holding the post on deputation, (or)
– the date from which he or she has been appointed on regular basis to the same or equivalent grade in his parent department, whichever is earlier.
(6) A list of all the officials, in the order of their seniority, and other particulars, shall be prepared and published on an annual basis, and a copy of such list shall be provided to all officials of the Authority.
16. Liability to serve in India —An official appointed to the cadre shall be liable to serve anywhere in India.
17. Discharge of duties of higher grade and lower grade in certain cases — The appointing authority may, by order, having regard to the exigency of service, direct an official, holding a post in a specific grade to discharge, for such period as may be specified in the order, the work and responsibilities of —
(a) the next higher grade, without any pecuniary benefit; or
(b) the immediate lower grade, without any pecuniary or other loss.
CHAPTER – II
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
18. Medical facilities. — The officials of the Authority, both serving and retired, shall be entitled to medical facilities as specified in Schedule-II:
Provided that the retired officials of the Authority who have rendered not less than three years’ whole-time employment in the Authority and a total of twenty years of service in the Authority or the Central Government or the State Government or the Union territories Administration or autonomous body or statutory organisation or public sector undertakings, shall be entitled to medical facilities.
19. Contributory Provident Fund. — (1) The officials of the Authority other than those on deputation, who were appointed prior to the date of introduction of the National Pension System in the Authority, shall have the option either to continue with the Contributory Provident Fund or subscribe to the National Pension System:
Provided that the officials appointed on or after the date of introduction of the National Pension System shall subscribe to the National Pension System.
(2) The officials of the Authority appointed on deputation, shall continue to be governed by the Provident Fund Scheme as are applicable to them in their parent organisation:
Provided that the Authority shall recover contribution towards Provident Fund from such officials and remit the amount alongwith employer’s contribution to the lending organisation and any loss of interest on account of late remittance shall be borne by the Authority.
20. Travelling allowance. — The officials of the Authority while on tours, including outside India, shall be entitled to allowances as are applicable to the officers of the Central Government drawing the pay and allowances in corresponding level, from time to time.
21. Gratuity. — The officials of the Authority, other than those on deputation, shall be eligible for gratuity in accordance with the provisions of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 (39 of 1972).
22. Group insurance. — The officials of the Authority, other than those on deputation, shall be entitled to group insurance scheme formulated by the Authority.
23. Pension and other retirement benefits. — The officials of the Authority, other than those on deputation, shall not be eligible for pension:
Provided that the officials of the Authority, excluding the Chairperson, Members and those appointed on deputation, appointed on or after the 1st January, 2004 shall be governed by the National Pension System or the Unified Pension Scheme regulated under the provisions of the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 2013 (23 of 2013).
24. Leave. — The Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, as amended from
time to time shall mutatis mutandis apply to the officials of the Authority.
25. Disciplinary proceedings and impositions of penalties. — In the matter of conduct, discipline and imposition of penalties, the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965 and the instructions issued by the Central Government from time to time, shall mutatis mutandis apply to the officials of the Authority.
26. Other conditions of service. — Other conditions of service of the officials of the Authority for which no specific provision has been provided, shall be governed by such rules as are from time to time applicable to the officers of the Central Government drawing the pay and allowances in corresponding levels.
CHAPTER – IV
MISCELLANEOUS
27. Power to relax.— (1) Where the Central Government is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do, it may, by order and for reasons to be recorded in writing, relax any of the provisions of these rules with respect to any class or category of persons.
(2) Where, after completing one round of the mandated selection process, the Authority is unable to identify a suitable candidate for the posts of Joint Advisor, Deputy Advisor and Senior Research Officer, the Authority may relax the eligibility criteria specified in column (11) of Schedule-I pertaining to the said posts:
Provided that the Authority shall ensure such relaxation shall not compromise with the professional competence expected from officials selected for such posts.
28. Saving. — (1) Nothing in these rules shall affect reservation, relaxation of age-limit and other concessions required to be provided for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, other backward classes, ex-servicemen and other special categories of persons in accordance with the orders issued by the Central Government from time to time in this regard.
29. Interpretation. — Any question relating to interpretation of these rules shall be referred to the Central Government for decision.
SCHEDULE-I
(See rules 3, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 27)
| Name of post | Number of post | Classification | Level in pay matrix | Whether selection post or non-selection post |
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) |
| 1. Secretary | 01* (2025)
*Subject to |
Equivalent to Group ‘A’ post in the Central Government |
Level-15 (Rs.182200-224100) | Not applicable. |
| Age-limit or direct recruits. |
Educational and other qualifications required for direct recruits. |
Whether age and educational qualifications prescribed for direct recruits will apply in the case of promotees. |
Period of probation, if any, |
| (6) | (7) | (8) | (9) |
|
Not applicable |
Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Method of recruitment whether by direct recruitment or by promotion or deputation/ absorption and percentage of the vacancies to be filled by various methods. |
In case of recruitment by promotion or deputation/absorption, grades from which promotion or deputation/absorption is to be made. |
If a Departmental Promotion Committee exists, what is its composition. |
Circumstances under which Union Public Service Commission is to be consulted in making recruitment. |
| (10) | (11) | (12) | (13) |
| By deputation. | Deputation: Officers of the Central Government or State Governments or Union territory Administrations or autonomous body or statutory organisation or public sector undertakings or recognised university or recognised research institution, – (A) (i) holding analogous post on regular basis in the parent cadre or department; or (ii) with four years’ service in the grade rendered after appointment thereto on regular basis in level-14 (Rs.1,44,2002,18,200) or equivalent in the parent cadre or department; and (B) possessing the following educational qualifications and experience: (i) Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or institute; and (ii) experience in the field of telecommunications, industry, finance, accountancy, law, management or consumer affairs. |
Not applicable. | Not applicable. |
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) |
| 2. Principal Advisor. | 07* (2025) *Subject to variation dependent on workload. |
Equivalent to Group ‘A’ post in the Central Government |
Level-15 (Rs.182200224100) |
| (5) | (6) | (7) | (8) |
| Not applicable. | Not applicable. | Not applicable. | Not applicable. |
| (10) | (11) | (12) | (13) |
| By deputation. | Deputation:
Officers of the Central Government or State Governments or Union territory Administrations or autonomous body or statutory organisation or public sector undertakings or recognised university or recognised research institution, – (A) (i) holding analogous post on regular basis in the parent cadre or department; or (ii) with four years of service rendered after appointment to the post on regular basis in level-14 in the pay matrix (Rs.144200-218200) or equivalent, in the parent cadre or department; and (B) possessing the following educational qualifications and experience, namely: – (i) Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or institute; and (ii) experience in the field of telecommunications, industry, finance, accountancy, law, management or consumer affairs. |
Not applicable. | Not applicable. |
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) |
| 3. Advisor. | 13* (2025) *Subject to variation dependent on workload. |
Equivalent to Group ‘A’ post in the Central Government. |
Level- 14 (Rs.144200-218200). |
| (5) | (6) | (7) | (8) | (9) |
| Not applicable. | Not applicable. | Not applicable. | Not applicable. | Not applicable. |
| (10) | (11) | (12) | (13) |
| By deputation/ absorption. | Deputation/absorption: Officers of the Central Government or State Governments or Union territory Administrations or autonomous body or statutory organisation or public sector undertakings or recognised university or recognised research institution-(A) (i) holding analogous post on regular basis in the parent cadre or department; or (ii) with four years of service rendered after appointment to the post on regular basis in level-13 in the pay matrix (Rs.123100-215900) or equivalent, in the parent cadre or department; or (iii) with seventeen years of regular service in Group ‘A; and have held a post in level-12 in the pay matrix (Rs.78800-209200) or equivalent on regular basis for a period of not less than seven years; and (B) possessing the following educational qualifications and experience, namely: – (i) Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or institute; and (ii) fifteen years of experience Note: Preference shall be given to the candidates holding senior management positions. |
Not applicable. | Not applicable. |
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) |
| 4. Joint Advisor. | 31* (2025) *Subject to variation dependent on workload. | Equivalent to Group ‘A’ post in the Central Government. | Level-13 (Rs.123100-215900) |
| (5) | (6) | (7) | (8) | (9) |
| Not applicable. | Not applicable. | Not applicable. | Not applicable. | Not applicable. |
| (10) | (11) | (12) | (13) |
| (i) 50% by promotion, failing which by deputation/absorption; and
(ii) 50% by deputation. |
Promotion:
Officers holding the post of Deputy Advisor in level-12 (Rs. 78800-209200) with five years of regular service in the grade and having experience in the relevant field. Note: Where juniors who have completed their qualifying or eligibility service are being considered for promotion, their respective seniors shall also be considered provided they are not short of the requisite qualifying or eligibility service by more than half of such qualifying or eligibility service or two years, whichever is less and have successfully completed their probation period for promotion to the next higher grade along with their juniors who have already completed such qualifying or eligibility service. Deputation/absorption: Officers of the Central Government or the State Governments or the Union territory Administrations or autonomous body or statutory organisation or public sector undertakings or recognised university or recognised research institution, – (A) (i) holding analogous post on regular basis in the parent cadre or department; or (ii) with four years of service rendered after appointment to the post on regular basis in level-12 (Rs. 78800-209200) or equivalent, in the parent cadre or department; or (iii) having not less than twelve years of regular service in Group ‘A’ or equivalent, and having held a post of level-11 or equivalent on regular basis for not less than six years; and (B) possessing experience in the relevant field and having one or more of the following educational qualifications, namely:- i. Bachelor’s Electronics degree in Engineering, and/ or Telecommunications Engineering, Electrical or Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Information Technology or Computer Science Engineering recognized by the All India Council for departmental officers in the feeder cadre Technical Education; or ii.Master’s or degree in Bachelor’s Business Administration or Economics or Commerce or Engineering or Law or Science or Humanities from a university or institute recognised by University Grants Commission; or, membership of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India or the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of India, as the case may be. Note: The departmental officers in the feeder cadre who are in the direct line of promotion shall not be eligible for consideration for appointment on deputation. Similarly, the deputationists shall not be eligible for consideration for appointment by promotion. |
Departmental Promotion/ Confirmation Committee (for considering promotion/ confirmation) consisting of: (1) Whole time Member of the Authority – Chairperson; (2) Secretary –Member; (3) Principal Advisor or Advisor – Member. Note: In case of non-availability of the Chairperson or Member of the Departmental Promotion / Confirmation Committee, the Chairperson of the Authority may nominate the Chairperson or Members of the Departmental Promotion / Confirmation Committee. |
Not applicable. |
COMMENTS