NationalWednesday, 22 April 2026·https://testbook.com/current-affairs/22-april-2026-daily-current-affairs
DoT-SEBI MoU to curb telecom frauds: FRI, MNRL and 88 lakh disconnections
DoT and SEBI signed an MoU on 15 April 2026 to share telecom fraud indicators and strengthen action against financial scams.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On 15 April 2026, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) signed an MoU to curb telecom-linked financial frauds and securities market scams through data sharing and digital intelligence tools.
Key specifics
- The agreement links DoT’s AI & Digital Intelligence Unit (AI&DIU) with SEBI for proactive fraud prevention.
- DoT will share the Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) and the Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL) for suspicious mobile connections.
- The Digital Intelligence Platform connects over 1,400 stakeholders for real-time exchange of actionable intelligence.
- More than 88 lakh fraudulent mobile connections were disconnected using ASTR, the AI and facial-recognition-based SIM verification system.
- FRI deployment is said to have prevented estimated losses of ₹2,300 crore within 10 months.
Exam lens
Polity-governance and cyber security MCQ focus: DoT-SEBI MoU date, FRI, MNRL, ASTR, and the 1,400-stakeholder platform; TNPSC may ask which regulator protects investor interests and where SEBI is headquartered.