TRAI Releases Draft DRM-Based Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual 2026, Seeks Stakeholder Comments by 30 October

· The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services DRM-Based Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual, 2026 for stakeholder consultation.

· The draft aims to establish detailed audit procedures for Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems, particularly those used in IPTV-based television distribution services, under Schedule X of the 2017 Interconnection Regulations.

· The manual outlines clause-wise compliance checks covering subscriber management systems (SMS), conditional access and encryption, fingerprinting, and set-top box (STB) software and applications.

· It specifies the scope, documentation and procedures for pre-signal/compliance audits and annual subscription audits.

· The draft prescribes audit completion timelines and defines the responsibilities of Distribution Platform Operators (DPOs), broadcasters and auditors.

· Standard formats for vendor declarations, audit forms and audit reports are also included to promote consistency and transparency.

· Deadline for comments: Stakeholders may submit comments, suggestions and supporting evidence by 30 October 2026 via advbcs-2@trai.gov.in or jtadvbcs-3@trai.gov.in.

· The draft manual is available on the official TRAI website: https://www.trai.gov.in.

The initiative aims to standardise DRM-system audits, improve regulatory compliance and provide clear guidance to IPTV operators, broadcasters and auditors.

[ABS News Service/10.10.2026]

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued the Draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Rights Management (DRM) based Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual, 2026 for seeking comments from the stakeholders on 9 October, 2026.

The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017 (hereafter referred to as ‘Interconnection Regulations’) mandate annual audit of the Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) of the distributors of television channels, including CAS, SMS, DRM and other related systems, subject to the provisions of the Regulations. Schedule X of the Interconnection Regulations specifies requirements for DRM-based systems, primarily for IPTV-based distribution services.

The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual, 2026, issued on 10^th March 2026, provides detailed clause-wise audit procedures for systems covered under Schedule III, including CAS, SMS and STB based systems. The need for a similar manual detailing audit procedures for DRM-based systems as per Schedule X of ‘Interconnection Regulations’ was highlighted by various stakeholders, including IPTV operators, broadcasters and auditors.

Accordingly, the Authority, has prepared the Draft DRM Audit Manual to provide detailed procedures for auditing compliance of DRM systems to Schedule X of the ‘Interconnection Regulations’. The Audit Manual is proposed as a guidance document for stakeholders during the conduct of audit.

The salient features of the Draft DRM Audit Manual include:

1. A dedicated clause-wise procedure to verify compliance with Schedule X, covering DRM requirements for SMS, conditional access/encryption, fingerprinting, and STB/software applications.

2. Scope of work, documentary requirements and audit procedures for pre-signal/compliance audit and the annual Subscription audit.

3. Prescribed timelines for completion of audits.

4. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities of the Distribution Platform Operator (DPO), the Broadcaster and the Auditor during the audit process; and

5. Standard formats for vendor declarations, audit forms and audit reports.

The Draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services DRM-based Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual, 2026 has been placed on TRAI's website (www.trai.gov.in).

Written inputs, comments and suggestions if any, supported by detailed reasons, justification and relevant data/evidence are invited from the stakeholders by 30.10.2026. The comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form on the email ID advbcs-2@trai.gov.in and jtadvbcs-3@trai.gov.in. For any clarification/information, Dr. Deepali Sharma, Advisor (B&CS), TRAI, may be contacted at email ID: advbcs-2@trai.gov.in or Telephone +91-11-20907774.