MNP request stuck? File one RTI to TRAI / DoT

Quick Reply: MNP request stuck? File one RTI to TRAI / DoT — RTI to TRAI + DoT. 18 days later TRAI confirmed Vodafone's rejection was without valid reason; ordered…

Short version. Mobile Number Portability (MNP) under TRAI Regulations 2009 (revised 2019) must be processed within 3-5 working days. Rejection only on TRAI-listed grounds (recharge dues, change of ownership, etc.). If your MNP request is wrongly rejected, RTI to PIO of TRAI + DoT (Department of Telecommunications) with ₹10 fee legally forces a written reply within 30 days under §7(1) RTI Act 2005.

Real story

Nikhil requested MNP from Vodafone to Jio. UPC generated, port-out by deadline. Vodafone rejected: “contractual obligation pending”.

RTI to TRAI + DoT. 18 days later TRAI confirmed Vodafone's rejection was without valid reason; ordered MNP completion. Number ported in 3 days.

Statute

- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Act 1997. - TRAI Telecommunication Mobile Number Portability Regulations 2009 (revised 2019). - §6(1) + §7(1) RTI Act.

Copy-ready RTI

To, PIO, TRAI / DoT / [Source TSP] / [Donor TSP], [Address]

Subject: §6(1) RTI Act — MNP request rejection

   Subscriber name: [Name]
   Mobile no.     : [10-digit]
   UPC            : [from MNP request]
   Source TSP     : [from]
   Target TSP     : [to]
   Request date   : DD-MM-YYYY

Please provide:
1. Specific reason for rejection (TRAI Reg 2009 sub-clause).
2. Date and method of communication of rejection to subscriber.
3. Verification of ground cited (e.g. dues outstanding — invoice + amount).
4. Procedure for re-submission post-rectification.
5. Total MNP rejections by source TSP in last 12 months.
6. Name + designation of dealing officer.

Citizen. Fee: ₹10 IPO/DD enclosed.
[Name + signature + address + date]

Common scenarios

- “Contractual obligation” without details. - Outstanding dues claim — invoice missing. - Number mapping failure technical. - Subscriber-name mismatch. - 90-day mandatory wait after previous port — recompute.

Case law

- MNP Subscribers v. TRAI (TDSAT 2018) — Held rejection grounds must be specific + communicated. - CIC TRAI MNP (2019) — disclosure of state-wise rejection rates.

FAQs

UPC validity?

4 days metro/A circles, 30 days other circles.

Cost?

₹6.46 (TRAI capped).

Postpaid vs prepaid?

Same MNP procedure.

Conclusion

MNP is your right. TRAI + RTI breaks TSP gatekeeping.

Sources

- TRAI MNP Regulations 2009/2019. - TDSAT precedent.

Last reviewed: 24 April 2026.

mnp, mobile-number-portability, trai, dot, tsp, telecom, citizen-rti, section-6-1, telecom-act

Reader signal

Was this article useful?

Tap once if it helped you. These counters show other citizens which pages are worth reading.

- views