TRAI Releases Draft Digital Rights Management (DRM) Audit Manual

• 12 Oct 2026
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On 9 October 2026, India’s telecom regulator, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), released the Draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Rights Management (DRM) based Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual, 2026 to seek comments from stakeholders. 

The Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Interconnection (Addressable Systems) Regulations, 2017 (hereafter referred to as the "Interconnection Regulations") require an annual audit of Digital Addressable Systems (DAS) used by distributors of television channels. 

This includes Conditional Access Systems (CAS), Subscriber Management Systems (SMS), Digital Rights Management (DRM) and other related systems, all in accordance with the provisions of the regulations. Schedule X of Interconnection Regulations outlines requirements for DRM-based systems, particularly for IPTV distribution services. 

Emphasis on Need for DRM Audit Manual

On 10 March 2026, the Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual was issued. This telecom manual provides detailed clause-by-clause audit procedures for systems that are covered under Schedule III. It includes CAS, SMS and set-top box based systems. 

Various stakeholders like IPTV operators, broadcasters and auditors have emphasized regarding the need for a similar manual that details audit procedures for DRM-based systems as outlined in Schedule X of the Interconnection Regulations. 

Accordingly, TRAI has come up with a draft of DRM Audit Manual, which outlines detailed procedures for auditing compliance of DRM systems with Schedule X of the Interconnection Regulations. This Audit Manual is intended to serve as a guidance document to assist stakeholders during auditing process. 

Features of Draft DRM Audit Manual

Let’s take a look at the main features of the Draft DRM Audit Manual:-

Comments for Draft DRM Audit Manual Invited Till 30.10.2026

The Draft Telecommunication (Broadcasting and Cable) Services DRM-based Digital Addressable Systems Audit Manual for 2026 has been published on TRAI website @ www.trai.gov.in. Stakeholders are invited to submit their written inputs, comments and suggestions by the deadline of 30 October 2026. They must include detailed reasons, justifications and any relevant data or evidence so as to support their feedback. 

Comments can be sent electronically to advbcs-2@trai.gov.in and jtadvbcs-3@trai.gov.in. For any clarifications or additional information, Dr. Deepali Sharma, Advisor (B&CS), can be contacted at advbcs-2@trai.gov.in or by phone at +91-11-20907774. 

Source:- Press Information Bureau (PIB)