Centre dissolves Digital Communications Commission after 37 years

Move comes weeks after the DCC’s final meeting, which dealt with spectrum allocation for satellite communication services

PGurus Newsdesk

September 21, 2026

India’s telecom decision-making framework is set for a change as the Centre dissolves the Digital Communications Commission after 37 years

The Centre has dissolved the Digital Communications Commission (DCC), the Department of Telecommunications’ apex inter-departmental decision-making body, nearly 37 years after it was first established as the Telecom Commission.

The decision was notified through a resolution dated September 19, 2026, issued by the Department of Telecommunications. The resolution states that the DCC would stand dissolved with effect from the date of its publication in the Gazette of India.

From Telecom Commission to Digital Communications Commission

The body was originally established on April 11, 1989, as the Telecom Commission to deal with various aspects of the telecommunications sector. It was later redesignated as the Digital Communications Commission on October 22, 2018, reflecting the expanding scope of India’s communications and digital ecosystem.

Over the years, the commission played a key role in resolving major policy and financial matters in the telecom sector. It comprised senior officials from departments including the Finance Ministry, NITI Aayog and other government departments.

The DCC considered important telecom proposals before they were sent to the Union Cabinet for final approval. Its responsibilities included matters related to spectrum pricing and recommendations made by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai).

Last meeting focused on satellite spectrum

The commission held its final meeting on September 3, when it firmed up a decision concerning spectrum for satellite communication services.

The recommendation now requires Cabinet approval.

The development comes as satellite communication services prepare for expansion in India. Elon Musk-led Starlink, Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Industries’ Jio Satellite Communications have received permission to begin satellite communication services in the country.

However, commercial rollout remains subject to spectrum allocation and completion of the second stage of security clearances by the relevant agencies.

New mechanism for major telecom decisions

The dissolution also marks a change in the institutional process through which major telecom-related financial proposals are examined.

According to a report by The Times of India, projects above the existing departmental approval thresholds that were earlier considered by the DCC will now be examined through the Expenditure Finance Committee under the Finance Ministry’s Department of Expenditure before being placed before the Cabinet for formal approval.

The government notification itself, however, only formally announces the dissolution of the DCC and does not detail the full replacement mechanism.

The move effectively brings an end to the 37-year-old Telecom Commission/Digital Communications Commission structure as the government reorganises the decision-making framework for the telecom and digital communications sector.

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