(1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires,–
(a) “Act” means the Telecommunications Act, 2023 (44 of 2023);
(b) “certified agency” means the agency specified by the Central Government on the portal to carry out security audit;
(c) “Chief Telecommunication Security Officer” means the designated employee of a telecommunication entity, appointed under rule 6;
2 (ca) “licensee” means a person holding a license to provide telecommunication services under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 (13 of 1885);
1 Vide G.S.R. 720(E), dated 21.11.2024, published in the Gazette of India, Extra., Pt. II, Sec. 3(i), dated 21.11.2024.
2 Ins. by G.S.R. 771(E), dated 22.10.2025.
(cb) “MNV platform” means the mobile number validation platform established under rule 7A to enable validation by authorised entities and licensees as regards whether telecommunication identifiers specified by TIUE customers or users, correspond to the users as present in the database of an authorised entity or licensee, as the case may be;]
(d) “portal” means the portal as notified by the Central Government under sub-rule (1) of rule 10;
(e) “security incident” means an event having real or potential risk on telecom cyber security;
(f) “telecom cyber security” means cyber security of telecommunication networks and telecommunication services which includes tools, policies, security concepts, security safeguards, guidelines, risk management approaches, actions, assurance and technologies that can be used to safeguard telecommunication networks and telecommunication services against relevant security risks in the cyber environment;
(g) “telecommunication entity” means any person providing telecommunication services, or establishing, operating, maintaining, or expanding telecommunication network, including an authorised entity holding an authorisation under sub-section
(1) of section 3 of the Act, or a person exempted from the requirement of authorisation under sub-section (3) of section 3 of the Act; and
(h) “telecommunication equipment identification number” means a telecommunication identifier bearing—
(i) international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number; or
(ii) electronic serial number (ESN); or
(iii) any other number or signal that identifies a unique telecommunication equipment.
1 (i) “TIUE (telecommunication identifier user entity)” means a person, other than a licensee or authorised entity, which uses telecommunication identifiers for the identification of its customers or users, or for provisioning, or delivery of services.]
(2) Words and expressions used in these rules and not defined herein but defined in the Act, shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.
1 Ins. by G.S.R. 771(E), dated 22.10.2025.