TRAI Part II Syllabus

TRAI Part II: topic-wise syllabus

1. 1

   Telecom Fundamentals & Network Architecture

   ~22 marks

   • Telecom Basics — Analog vs Digital, Modulation (AM, FM, PM, ASK, FSK, PSK, QAM), Multiplexing (FDM, TDM, WDM, OFDM), Sampling Theorem, Quantization, Nyquist Rate
   • Wireline (Fixed Line) — PSTN, ISDN, ADSL, VDSL, FTTH, GPON, EPON, OFC, Twisted Pair, Coaxial, Switching Systems (PSTN, Crossbar), Last-mile Technologies
   • Wireless Communication — Cellular Concept, Frequency Reuse, Handoff, Sectoring, Cell Splitting, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, CDMA (IS-95), 3G (UMTS, WCDMA, HSPA), 4G (LTE, LTE-A, OFDMA, MIMO), 5G (NR, eMBB, URLLC, mMTC, Network Slicing, Edge Computing), 6G Concepts (Terahertz, AI-native, Holographic)
   • Broadband Technologies — DSL, Cable Modem, FTTH, WiMAX, LTE, 5G FWA, Satellite Broadband (VSAT, Starlink, OneWeb, JioSpace), PM-WANI, BharatNet, National Broadband Mission, Bharat 6G Vision
   • VoIP & OTT — SIP, H.323, RTP, Codecs (G.711, G.729, Opus), WebRTC, OTT Communication (WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, JioChat), RCS, VoNR, VoLTE, VoWiFi
   • Signaling — SS7, SIGTRAN, Diameter, IMS, SIP, RTP, Megaco/H.248, Diameter, OCS
   • IPTV, Video Streaming, Adaptive Bitrate, CDN, Edge Caching, Multicast (MCPTT, MCVideo, MCData — Mission Critical Services)
   • Satellite Communication — GEO, MEO, LEO, VSAT, INMARSAT, Iridium, GPS, Galileo, IRNSS/NavIC, Satellite Phone, NGSO, Recent LEO Constellations
   • IoT & M2M Communication — NB-IoT, LTE-M, LoRa, Sigfox, Zigbee, MQTT, CoAP, 5G IoT, IoT Use Cases in Telecom, Smart Cities, Connected Vehicles
   • Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC), Unlicensed Spectrum (Wi-Fi 6E, 7), CBRS, MulteFire, Private 5G Networks, Network Slicing, AI/ML in Networks
   • Submarine Cables, Undersea Cable Systems, International Connectivity, Landing Stations
   • Network Slicing, SDN, NFV, Cloud-native Networks, Open RAN (O-RAN), TIP, vRAN, C-RAN, MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing)
2. 2

   Regulatory Framework, Policy & Law

   ~18 marks

   • Act 1997 — Establishment, Functions, Powers, Recommendations, Suo-Motu Orders, Dispute Resolution, Net Surplus, Chairperson, Members, Officers, Staff
   • National Telecom Policy — NTP 1994, NTP-1999, NTP-2012, NDCP 2018, National Digital Communications Policy (NDCP) 2018, Targets, Pillars (Broadband, Spectrum, Quality of Service, Security)
   • Licensing — Unified License (UL), UL(VNO), ISP License, NLD, ILD, IP-1, IP-2, MNP, Captive, Terms & Conditions, License Fee, SUC (Spectrum Usage Charge), AGR, Bank Guarantees, Roll-out Obligations
   • Telecom Bill 2023 — Replaces Indian Telegraph Act 1885, Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act 1933, Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act 1950 — Key Provisions, Definitions, Authorisations, Spectrum Assignment, Right of Way, User Protection, OTT Regulation, Satellite, Penalties
   • DoT, MIB, MeitY — Structure, Functions, Coordination, Minister-in-charge, Secretary, Divisions, PSUs (BSNL, MTNL, ITI, TCIL, BBNL)
   • TDSAT — Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal — Jurisdiction, Powers, Appeals, Recent Cases
   • Competition Act 2002, CCI, Antitrust, Predatory Pricing, Telecom Tariff Orders, IUC Regulation, Anti-Competitive Practices
   • Consumer Protection Act 2019, Consumer Rights (Redressal, Safety, Information, Choice, Voice), CCPA, E-Daakhil, Telecom Consumer Grievance Redressal
   • Right of Way (RoW) — Indian Telegraph RoW Rules 2016, Optical Fibre, Mobile Towers, Govt Support
   • International Telecom Union (ITU), WTO Telecom, World Trade Agreements, Bilateral, ASEAN, SAARC, GSMA, ETSI, 3GPP, IEEE, IETF
   • Sustainable Telecom, Energy Efficiency, E-Waste Management, Green Telecom, RE in Telecom, EMF Safety (ICNIRP Guidelines)
   • Digital India, Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, PLI Scheme for Telecom, Startup Ecosystem, India Mobile Congress (IMC)
   • Consultation Papers, Recommendations, Regulations, Suo-Motu Orders, Tariff Orders, Quality of Service Regulations, Important TRAI Recommendations (Tariff, QoS, Spectrum, Net Neutrality, AI in Telecom)
3. 3

   Spectrum Management

   ~15 marks

   • Spectrum Basics — Frequency Bands, Wavelength, Propagation Characteristics, VLF, LF, MF, HF, VHF, UHF, SHF, EHF, mmWave, Terahertz
   • Spectrum Allocation, Assignment, Pricing — Auction vs Administrative, Spectrum Trading, Sharing, Leasing, Harmonization, WRC, ITU Regions
   • Spectrum Auctions — Auction Theory, Simultaneous Multiple Round Auction (SMRA), Combinatorial Clock Auction (CCA), Reserve Price, Bidding, 5G Auction (2022), Future Auctions
   • Spectrum Sharing, Leasing, Trading, Dynamic Spectrum Access, CBRS, TV White Spaces, Database-Driven Sharing
   • Unlicensed Spectrum — ISM Bands, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, Wi-Fi 6E, 7, UWB, License-Exempt Use
   • Spectrum Pricing — Reserve Price, Realized Price, Auction Revenue, Spectrum as Resource, Valuation, Recent Auctions, Optimisation
   • Refarming, Migration, Re-purposing, Digital Dividend (700 MHz), 5G Spectrum, 6G Spectrum, Sub-THz, Joint Allocation
   • Interference Management, Coordination, Geolocation Database, Spectrum Monitoring, IEMI (Intentional Electromagnetic Interference)
   • 5G Spectrum — Sub-6 GHz, mmWave (26/28/39 GHz), FR1/FR2, DSS, Refarming 4G Bands, Recent Indian 5G Auction Bands
   • Satellite Spectrum — Ku, Ka, L, S, C, X Bands, NGSO vs GSO, ITU Coordination, WRC-19/23, Indian Position
   • Spectrum Policy & Reform — Liberalization, Auction-based, Sharing, Light-licensing, Common Pool
   • Spectrum Monitoring, Measurement, Enforcement, WPC Wireless Planning & Coordination Wing, Standing Advisory Committee on Frequency Allocation (SACFA)
4. 4

   Broadcasting, Cable TV & OTT

   ~12 marks

   • Cable TV — Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995, Cable TV Rules 1994, DAS (Digital Addressable System), CAS, Pay Channel, Free-to-Air, LCO, MSO, DPO, Tariff Order, Interconnection, Must-Carry, Must-Provide, NTO (New Tariff Order)
   • DTH (Direct-to-Home) — DTH Guidelines, License, Platform Services, Interconnection, Set-top Box, Encryption, Pay Channels, Recent MIB Guidelines
   • HDTV, UHD, 4K, 8K, HDR, ATSC, DVB, ISDB, ATSC 3.0, DRM, DAB+
   • OTT Platforms — Regulation, Self-regulation, Content Code (IT Rules 2021), Intermediary Guidelines, Streaming Wars, Content Classification, Age Ratings, OTT Advertising, Subscription Models, SVOD, AVOD, TVOD, Bundling
   • Internet Radio, Podcast, Audio Streaming, Spotify, JioSaavn, Audible, Community Radio Policy, FM Radio, Phase-III, e-Auction, Batch Auction, MIB Guidelines
   • Content Regulation — Programme Code, Advertising Code, Self-Certification, MIB Inter-Ministerial Committee, Censor Board (CBFC → Age-Based Classification under IT Rules), News & Current Affairs Digital Media
   • Community Radio, Campus Radio, Policy Guidelines, 100 W Power, Educational Content, Local Programming
   • Live Streaming, Webcasting, Sports Broadcasting, News, Social Media Live, IPL Bidding & Auctions, DoT Guidelines
   • Broadcasting Tech — Studio, Production, Transmitters, Terrestrial, Satellite, IP, Cloud Playout, Media Asset Management, OTT Streaming Tech (HLS, DASH, CMAF, Low-Latency)
5. 5

   Data Protection, Privacy, Net Neutrality & Consumer Rights

   ~12 marks

   • Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 (DPDPA) — Personal Data, Fiduciary, Data Principal, Consent, Notice, Penalties, Data Protection Board (DPB), Significant Data Fiduciary, Cross-border Transfer, Rights of Data Principal
   • Net Neutrality — TRAI Recommendations (2015, 2017), Prohibited Practices, Reasonable Traffic Management, Specialized Services, Zero-Rating, Free Basics Debate, T-Mobile, FCC Rules, India Position
   • Data Localization, Sovereignty, Storage, Cross-Border, Mirroring, RBI Mandate, MEITY Position
   • Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules 2020, IT Act 2000/2008 Amendments, Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021
   • Cyber Security & Telecom — NCIIPC, CERT-In, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Telecom Security Requirements, Trusted Source, AIS-140, AIS-189, Network Security, IoT Security, 5G Security
   • Consent Management, DND (Do Not Disturb), TRAI TCCCPR-2018, Unsolicited Commercial Communication, DLT (Distributed Ledger Tech), Headers, Templates, Consent Acquisition
   • Cross-Border Data Flows, EU GDPR, APEC CBPR, US Privacy Laws, China PIPL, Brazil LGPD, Conventions 108+, Adequacy Decisions
   • AI & Data Ethics — DPDPA, AI Act (EU), Bias, Fairness, Transparency, Explainability, EU AI Act, India AI Stack, AI in Telecom, Algorithmic Accountability
6. 6

   Emerging Network Technologies (5G, 6G, AI, Cloud)

   ~12 marks

   • 5G Deep Dive — NR (New Radio), 5G NR Spectrum, Massive MIMO, Beamforming, mmWave, Network Slicing, SBA (Service-Based Architecture), CUPS, Edge Computing, 5G Core, 5G-Advanced (Release 18, 19), URLLC, V2X, mMTC, Network Exposure Function
   • 6G Vision — AI-native, Terahertz, Holographic, Sub-THz, Cell-free, Energy-Efficient, Quantum Communications, Integrated Sensing, Digital Twin, Bharat 6G Vision Document, ITU IMT-2030
   • Cloud-Native Networks, SDN, NFV, MANO, Containerization, Kubernetes, CNF, Microservices, Telco Cloud, Edge Cloud, Open RAN (O-RAN), vRAN, xRAN
   • AI in Telecom — Self-Organizing Networks (SON), Self-Healing, Predictive Maintenance, Anomaly Detection, AI for Spectrum, AIOps, LLM for Customer Service, Network Optimization
   • Quantum Communications, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Quantum Internet, Post-Quantum Cryptography, Quantum Sensing, India's National Quantum Mission
   • IoT in Verticals — Smart Cities, Connected Vehicles (V2X, C-V2X), Smart Grid, Precision Agriculture, Industrial IoT, Smart Manufacturing (Industry 4.0), Healthcare IoT
   • Blockchain in Telecom — Roaming Fraud, Number Portability, Identity, SLAs, Smart Contracts, BBNL, DLT for Telecom
7. 7

   Cybersecurity, Standards & Compliance

   ~10 marks

   • Cyber Threats — APTs, Ransomware, Phishing, DDoS, Botnets, Zero-day, Supply Chain, Social Engineering, Telecom-Specific Threats (SS7, Diameter, GTP, IMS, Roaming)
   • Encryption — Symmetric (AES, DES, 3DES), Asymmetric (RSA, ECC), Hashing (SHA, MD5), TLS, IPSec, MACsec, Quantum Cryptography, PQC
   • Network Protocols — TCP/IP, UDP, HTTP/HTTPS, DNS, BGP, MPLS, Segment Routing, IPv6 Transition, DNS Security (DNSSEC)
   • Security Architecture — Zero Trust, Defense in Depth, SASE, NGFW, SIEM, SOAR, IAM, MFA, Privileged Access Management, DevSecOps
   • Security Frameworks & Standards — ISO 27001, NIST CSF, OWASP, CIS Controls, PCI-DSS, 3GPP Security (SCAS, NESAS, SCAS-SAS), GSMA NESAS, TSDSI, NIS Directive, CERT-In Directions 2022
   • Trusted Source, Trusted Telecom, M-SSS, NSCD, DoT Security Directives (Sep 2020 onwards), Trusted Products List, AIS Standards, 5G Trusted Source
   • IT Act 2000/2008, Cybercrime, Section 69 (Interception), 69B (Monitoring), 79 (Safe Harbour), IT Rules 2021, Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, I4C, Cyber Swachhta Kendra
   • Digital Sovereignty, Data Localization, Personal Data Protection, Critical Information Infrastructure, Sectoral CERTs (CERT-Telecom), Sectoral CSIRT, ITU GFCE
8. 8

   Economics of Telecom, Tariff & Quality of Service

   ~9 marks

   • Telecom Tariff — Cost-based, Ceiling, forbearance, Retail vs Wholesale, IUC, MNP, Roaming, Tariff Order Filing, Tariff Transparency, Recent Tariff Orders
   • Interconnection — IUC, MNP, Call Termination, Origination, Transit, POI, Interconnection Agreement, Regulator Intervention
   • Quality of Service (QoS) — Network Performance, Call Setup Success Rate, Drop Call Rate, HSDPA, LTE, 5G, BTS, Drive Test, QoS Reports, TRAI QoS Regulations, Benchmarking
   • Consumer QoS — Bill Accuracy, Complaint Redressal, Service Quality, Net Promoter Score, NPS, Customer Satisfaction, Customer Acquisition Cost, ARPU
   • Telecom Economics — ARPU, MOU, Capex, Opex, EBITDA Margin, AGR, Revenue Market Share, Spectrum Cost, Debt, Viability, Sustainability, 5G Monetization, B2B vs B2C
   • Investment & Funding — FDI, FII, Capital Markets, Sovereign Wealth, Pension Funds, Bond Markets, Bank Lending to Telecom, IBC, Restructuring, Recent Bank Recapitalizations
   • Market Structure — Concentration (HHI), Duopoly, Market Share, New Entrants (Reliance Jio, Adani, Vodafone Idea, BSNL, MTNL, Tata Tele), MVNO, Recent Consolidation
   • Policy Reforms — Light Touch Regulation, Forbearance, Voluntary Compliance, Code of Practice, Service Provider Obligations, Consumer Charter
9. 9

   Telecom Operations, Field Engineering & Emerging Domains

   ~6 marks

   • Telecom Infrastructure — Towers (BTS, Node B, eNodeB, gNodeB), Small Cells, DAS, IBS, OFC, Ducts, Power, HVAC, DG Sets, Green Tower, Solar, Energy Storage, Battery Swapping
   • Optical Fibre — FTTH, GPON, EPON, NG-PON2, XGS-PON, WDM, ROADM, FTTx, FTTB, FTTC, BharatNet, FTTH Council
   • Data Centres & Edge — Hyperscale, Colocation, Edge DCs, Carrier-Neutral, Tier I-IV, TIA-942, Uptime Institute, Power, Cooling, Sustainability, Green Data Centres
   • Skill Development, Telecom Equipment Manufacturing (TEM), PLI Scheme, Design in India, Startups, Patents, Standards Contributions (TSDSI, ITU, 3GPP, ETSI, IEEE, IETF)
   • Emerging Domains — Quantum, AI, Edge, IoT, Cyber-Physical Systems, Digital Twin, Robotics, Drones, Autonomous Vehicles, Smart City, Smart Villages, Tele-Health, EdTech, AgriTech
   • Sustainability — ESG, Net Zero, Renewable Energy, E-Waste (CSE 2016 Amendments), Plastic Waste, Sustainable Procurement, Carbon Credits, Climate Disclosure