- Why in news
- On 27 February 2026, TRAI released a Consultation Paper reviewing its 2024 regulations on rating properties for digital connectivity. Comments from stakeholders are invited by 23 March 2026.
- What it is
- The Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024 (7 of 2024) set up a framework to rate buildings on how ready they are for digital connectivity. It involves Property Managers, Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs) and service providers. It aims to improve in-building quality of service for users.
- Regulation and date
- TRAI notified the Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024 (07 of 2024) on 25 October 2024.
- Rating Manual
- The Rating Manual issued on 13 August 2025 operationalises the Regulations. It covers stakeholder roles, methodology, criteria, scoring, certification, renewal and appeals.
- Proposed rating scale
- The scale would expand from five to nine levels by adding half-star levels.
- Under-construction properties
- A design-stage assessment and certification is proposed. The final rating would still be awarded only after construction is complete and Due Diligence Stage–II.
- Optional audit
- Property Managers could engage a registered DCRA for a voluntary digital connectivity audit before applying for a rating.
- TRAI's QoS role
- TRAI lays down Quality of Service standards for service providers and conducts periodic surveys of their service to protect consumers.
Don’t confuse with Regulations vs Rating Manual: The Regulations (October 2024) set the framework. The Rating Manual (August 2025) gives operational detail such as criteria, scoring and procedures.
Don’t confuse with Design-stage certification vs final rating: The proposed design-stage certification is for under-construction properties. The final rating comes only after completion and on-ground assessment.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Much data use happens indoors, and 4G/5G signals weaken inside buildings, so ratings give consumers information on in-building connectivity.
- Publicly visible ratings can push builders and property managers to invest in better digital infrastructure.
Problems
- Many properties are sold while under construction, but ratings are given only after completion, so buyers lack information at the time of purchase.
- Property managers may hesitate to apply because awarded ratings become public.
Way forward
- Introduce design-stage certification and an optional audit, as proposed, to help managers improve before formal rating.
- Finalise the changes after stakeholder comments, keeping the assessment methodology intact.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Regulator consultation on a notified regulation; lasting but narrow, with few testable facts and no Mains debate.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.