New Delhi – In response to the rising nuisance of unsolicited calls and messages, India’s telecom regulator, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), has proposed stricter measures to curb spam communications. The framework could make telecom operators financially liable if large volumes of spam or automated promotional calls, commonly called robocalls, originate from their networks.

Proposed Termination Charges for Spam Calls

Under the proposed guidelines, telecom operators may be required to pay a termination fee of five paise per minute for high-volume promotional or robocalls originating outside the designated 1400 or 1600 series numbers. Currently, domestic voice calls within India do not attract such charges. The regulator believes this move will encourage operators to actively monitor and block unauthorized bulk calls.

Penalties for Non-Compliant Promotional SMS

TRAI is also tightening rules for companies sending promotional messages. All headers and message templates must be pre-registered with the regulator. Firms using unregistered templates or misleading headers could face penalties, as such practices can mislead consumers and increase the risk of fraudulent communications.

Surge in Consumer Complaints

The number of complaints related to spam calls and messages has grown significantly in recent years. Many users report receiving multiple unsolicited calls daily. Some of these calls are used in scams, where fraudsters impersonate banks, insurance firms, or government agencies to extract personal or financial information.

Accountability at the Network Level

TRAI emphasizes that telecom operators must take responsibility for the traffic on their networks. The proposed framework would hold operators accountable for monitoring and controlling spam calls and robocalls routed through their systems. Experts believe these measures could drastically reduce unwanted communications and build consumer trust in digital services.

Boosting Consumer Protection

If implemented, the proposal would not only discourage unauthorized robocalls but also strengthen transparency in India’s mobile communications ecosystem. Consumers are expected to benefit from fewer unsolicited calls and a safer, more reliable digital communication environment.

A single flat owner has secured a precedent-setting victory after a six-year legal battle, with the Maharashtra Real Estate Appellate Tribunal (MahaREAT) ordering developers of the stalled Nilkanth Kingdom project in Mumbai to complete full Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) registration within 60 days.

The ruling, delivered in favour of a lone appellant, significantly strengthens the enforcement of RERA by clarifying that incomplete housing projects must be treated as active projects under the law, even if partial possession was granted before RERA came into force.

Tribunal Overturns Earlier Order

The latest order overturns MahaREAT’s own June 18, 2019 decision, which had earlier allowed registration only for unfinished amenities. The tribunal has now held that where Completion Certificates (CC) and Occupation Certificates (OC) are pending, the entire project remains incomplete and must be fully registered under RERA.

Legal experts say the clarification closes a long-used loophole that allowed developers of pre-RERA projects to avoid regulatory oversight by claiming partial completion.

Legal Significance Highlighted by Counsel

Counsel for the flat owner said the ruling reinforces the core intent of RERA — accountability and transparency. According to the tribunal’s interpretation, developers cannot escape their obligations simply because possession was handed over before RERA became operational.

“This judgment makes it clear that incomplete projects cannot be selectively registered. If essential approvals and amenities are pending, the project is active under RERA,” the lawyer said. Experts believe the decision could influence dozens of stalled or partially completed projects across Maharashtra.

Project Delays and Long-Standing Disputes

The case relates to Nilkanth Kingdom, a residential project in Vidyavihar (West) comprising seven buildings constructed on leased land. The project was launched in 2005, with possession initially promised by 2008. However, internal disputes among developers and prolonged legal challenges led to repeated delays.

While structures were largely completed by 2012–13, buyers received only fit-out possession. Key amenities such as a clubhouse and swimming pool remain unfinished to date, and statutory approvals including CC and OC were never obtained.

A Lone Battle Against Major Builders

The appeal before MahaREAT was filed solely by flat owner Stuti Galiya of N K Avanti Cooperative Housing Society. Nearly 499 other flat buyers and seven housing societies chose not to participate in the prolonged litigation.

Stuti pursued the case alone against 11 developers, many of whom are large corporate entities represented by leading law firms. The tribunal’s decision highlights how sustained legal effort by a single homebuyer can lead to systemic accountability.

Broader Impact on RERA Enforcement

The ruling significantly enhances the scope of RERA by reaffirming that the law applies to unfinished projects regardless of when possession was offered. Developers are now legally required to complete not just structural construction, but also promised amenities and statutory approvals.

Housing activists say the judgment strengthens buyer protection and sends a clear signal that partial completion will no longer shield developers from regulatory responsibility.

As stalled housing projects continue to affect thousands of buyers across the state, the verdict is being seen as a milestone in real estate jurisprudence — and a reminder that persistence can reshape accountability in India’s property sector.

New Delhi | November 21, 2025 — In a landmark move to safeguard digital consumers, India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs has confirmed that 26 major e-commerce and online service platforms have eliminated misleading design practices—commonly known as dark patterns—from their websites and mobile apps.
This enforcement marks a significant turning point in how digital commerce platforms operate across retail, grocery, food delivery, and subscription-based services.

Companies that submitted compliance statements include Blinkit, Zepto, Flipkart, Amazon, Nykaa, Zomato, Swiggy, Tata Neu, and several other top platforms.

What Are Dark Patterns?

Dark patterns are intentionally deceptive design choices used to push users toward decisions they would not normally make. These tactics have long been criticized for manipulating online behavior.

Common examples include:

• Hidden or automatically added charges
• Forced subscriptions and auto-renewals
• Pre-selected paid options
• Fake scarcity alerts like “Only 1 left!”
• Fake countdown timers
• Complicated or hidden cancellation processes

Last year, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) officially categorized these practices as misleading and unfair under consumer protection laws.

Companies Confirm Compliance as Government Tightens Oversight

The Ministry reported that all 26 platforms have provided formal assurance that they have removed dark pattern elements from their interfaces. Many have redesigned pricing structures, simplified subscription flows, and deleted deceptive prompts.

Some companies have gone a step further by implementing third-party audits and continuous compliance monitoring.

Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare noted:

“Digital platforms must operate transparently. Misleading consumers will not be tolerated. We appreciate the companies that complied, but any future violations will invite strict legal action.”

Enhanced Monitoring and Enforcement to Follow

The CCPA announced that the compliance phase will now shift toward active enforcement. The next steps include:

• Surprise audits of platform interfaces
• Review of customer complaints
• AI-based detection of manipulative UI patterns
• Scrutiny of subscription and renewal flows

Authorities warned that penalties, platform restrictions, and mandatory compensation orders may follow in cases of non-compliance.

How Consumers Stand to Benefit

Analysts say India’s updated digital governance mirrors international standards seen in Europe and the U.S. and strengthens consumer protection in online transactions.

Consumers can expect:

• More transparent pricing and terms
• Reduction in hidden charges and surprise renewals
• Fairer and more informed buying decisions
• Improved trust in online platforms

Digital policy expert Apoorv Tripathi remarked:

“India is positioning itself as a global benchmark for ethical digital commerce. This move brings the country closer to global compliance norms.”

Conclusion

With major e-commerce and service platforms now aligning with regulatory requirements, India has entered a new phase where ethical digital practices and consumer rights take center stage.
The coming months will reveal how consistently platforms uphold these standards as enforcement intensifies.