Dr. J S Sarma, Chairman

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

Dr J S Sarma has vast experience of public service having been a Member of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) for over 37 years and having held the position of Secretary to the Government of India in different Ministries.

Dr. Sarma brings with him a rich experience of the Telecommunication sector, having had the rare distinction of holding the positions of Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry Of Telecommunications, - the policy making body; Member of the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal, a judicial body; and, since May 2009, Chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India –the Indian regulator for Telecommunications and Broadcasting sectors.

As Regulator, Dr. Sarma has made significant contribution to these two sectors in the form of policy recommendations that are being translated into action by the Government. To name a few, these are recommendations on spectrum policy, licensing modalities, Broadband, Telecom Equipment Manufacturing, Infrastructure, Green Telecom and the digitization programme in the Broadcasting sector. These recommendations have led to various Government decisions including draft National Telecom Policy.

He has also brought in effective regulations benefiting the Indian consumer, in the form of Mobile Number portability, Value added services, m-banking and lately the control of telemarketing calls and SMS.

Dr. Sarma has also served in the Ministries of Defence, Rural Development and Personnel. He was also Secretary, Department of Fertilizers.

Dr. Sarma holds M.Tech Degree in Applied Geology and Doctorate in Public Enterprises from the University of Paris.