SARAL FILING
“FROM TELECOM APPLICATION TO REGULATORY APPROVAL — EVERY STEP MATTERS.”
Saral Sanchar has served as DoT's digital licensing and management platform for telecom and wireless services. With the transition to the Telecommunications Act, 2023 framework, the applicable application and migration workflow must now be mapped to the current DoT Authorisation Portal and the relevant regulatory process.
*Applicability depends on the licence, registration, permission, authorisation, transaction and current DoT regulatory framework.
SARAL SANCHAR IS NO LONGER THE NEW-APPLICATION ROUTE FOR THE LISTED LEGACY LICENCE CATEGORIES
Per current Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directives, acceptance of NEW applications under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 has been stopped for:
- Unified Licences (UL)
- Unified Licences (VNO)
- Standalone ISP Licences
- Legacy Registrations
- Telegraph Act Permissions
- NSWS Legacy Intakes
Accordingly, Saral Sanchar and NSWS will not accept new applications for these listed legacy categories. Applicants seeking:
1. Authorisations under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, OR
2. Migration of existing licences granted under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885 to corresponding Telecommunications Act, 2023 authorisations
must use the current DoT Authorisation Portal (active from 25 June 2026 onwards). Radio Equipment Possession Authorisation under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 is also processed through the Authorisation Portal from 6 August 2026.
WHAT IS SARAL SANCHAR?
Saral Sanchar is a unified web-based portal deployed by the Department of Telecommunications to implement paperless digital governance for telecom licensing, wireless permits, and spectrum clearances.
Historically and within its applicable operational scope, the platform supported:
- Online application submission
- Document verification
- Application lifecycle tracking
- Licence amendments
- Wireless licensing clearances
- Historical renewals & surrenders
SARAL FILING OR AUTHORISATION PORTAL?
Do not automatically route every telecom application to Saral Sanchar. The current DoT eServices ecosystem separates services by legal framework:
IS SARAL FILING A MONTHLY / QUARTERLY / ANNUAL RETURN?
No. Generally, SARAL is a licensing, application, and lifecycle workflow rather than a universal monthly or quarterly compliance return. Its usage is event-driven and tied to specific transactions rather than static calendar dates.
New Service Requirement
Triggered when entering the market. Evaluates whether to apply for an Authorisation on the current portal.
Licence Amendment
Triggered when expanding service scope, adding circle LSAs, or updating authorized corporate signatories.
Framework Migration
Triggered when an existing Telegraph Act licensee formally transitions to the Telecommunications Act 2023.
Regulatory Query / Surrender
Triggered when responding to DoT desk inquiries, filing deficiency rectifications, or executing formal exit/surrender.
SARAL FILING VS AGR FILING VS TRAI FILING
Each portal serves a distinct statutory purpose. A telecom operator will interact with all three:
Saral Filing / Authorisation
Department of Telecommunications (Licensing Wing)
- Grant of Authorisation & operating rights
- Licence scope amendments & circle additions
- Statutory migration to Telecom Act 2023
AGR Filing (SARAS Portal)
DoT Finance & Accounts Wing
- Quarterly Adjusted Gross Revenue (AGR) returns
- Statutory Licence Fee & SUC payments
- Annual audited revenue reconciliations
TRAI Filing
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India
- Tariff reporting within statutory windows
- Quality of Service (QoS) quarterly PMR submissions
- Accounting Separation statements
WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO?
Select your regulatory scenario to identify the recommended 2026 DoT application route:
New Telecommunications Act, 2023 Authorisation
Do not apply through legacy Saral Sanchar forms. Applications for fresh Network Service Operator (NSO) and Virtual Network Operator (VNO) authorisations are accepted through the DoT Authorisation Portal. You must prepare corporate incorporation records, CA net-worth certificates, and network architecture plans.
YOUR DEDICATED TELECOM APPLICATION & COMPLIANCE TEAM
Telecom regulatory applications are not simple online forms. The correct portal route, legal eligibility, supporting documentation, technical architecture, and governing statutory framework must align prior to submission.
Our dedicated expert team helps you identify the applicable regulatory pathway, organize documentation, prepare the application, coordinate responses, and keep the process structured from submission to regulatory outcome.
Verify 2026 portal route & legal eligibility.
Structure CA certificates & technical plans.
Submit digital filings with registered DSC.
Coordinate desk queries through to grant.
TeleTax Application Advisory Scope
- Regulatory Pathway & Portal Identification
- Corporate MOA & Financial Net-Worth Review
- Application Drafting & Document Structuring
- Technical Architecture Coordination
- DoT Scrutiny Query Drafting & Rectification
- Legacy Licence Migration Application
- Post-Authorisation Compliance Onboarding
SARAL FILING & TELECOM LICENSING SUPPORT ACROSS INDIA
Supporting applicants, Network Service Operators, and Virtual Network Operators across major telecom circles:
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answers regarding Saral Sanchar, the DoT Authorisation Portal, migration requirements, and Telecommunications Act 2023 procedures.
NOT SURE WHICH DoT APPLICATION ROUTE APPLIES TO YOU?
Share your telecom service, existing licence, or proposed business activity. Our dedicated expert team can help map the applicable regulatory pathway, documentation, and current DoT process.