What is MNRL? Full Form, Compliance, and Methods to Download

Every year, millions of mobile numbers get deactivated and reassigned. Banks, fintechs, and NBFCs unknowingly send SMS/OTP to these outdated numbers. To prevent this risk, RBI has introduced a new rule MNRL compliance. According to this rule, all the financial institutions must use MNRL to clean up their customer phone number database. To know about the MNRL in detail, its full form, methods to get it, read the following blog thoroughly.

What is MNRL and its Full Form?

MNRL full form is Mobile Number Revocation List. It refers to the list of mobile numbers that have been permanently disconnected. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) publishes the list monthly on its website.

Reserve Bank of INDIA (RBI) has mandated that all banks and financial institutions should comply with the Moblie Number Revocation List regulations to prevent sensitive information from reaching the wrong recipient. It was announced in January and gives a deadline to implement it as 31 March 2025.

It’s helps in fraud prevention as it will eliminate the chances of sharing details with the wrong or fraudulent person. Non, compliance can result in penalties. On finding the deactivated number, banks and financial institutions can inform their customer to update the number.

Who should implement MNRL Compliance?

Banks and Financial Institutions

• Fintech Companies: Fintech companies should follow MNRL compliance to prevent sending sensitive bank details to deactivated numbers. It will ensure that sensitive financial and other details reach the right recipient instead of fraud or another person.
• Insurance Providers: Insurance providers should use Mobile Number Revocation List to remove all deactivated numbers from the customer database. This will prevent policy updates or OTPs from being sent to the wrong person. They can also inform the customer to update their phone number.
• Lending and credit Agencies can use the MNRL API to avoid sending policy updates or OTPs to the wrong person.
• E-commerce and Digital Wallets: E-commerce platforms and Digital Wallets, which have thousands of users, should follow MNRL guidelines. This will ensure that transactions and notifications reach the right users.

(Note: If your business verifies users via mobile numbers, you MUST comply with MNRL Mandate).

How to get MNRL List?

You can download or get the MNRL List via two methods: Manually or using MNRL API.

Manual Method via TRAI MNRL Portal

• Visit https://mnrl.trai.gov.in/homepage
• Under Download MNRL, enter email, entity name, mobile number, captcha
• Click on continue
• Download the phone number revocation list.

Through MNRL API

• Enter the Mobile (you want to check).
• Get confirmation (number in disconnected or not).

Surepass MNRL API for MNRL Compliance

Surepass MNRL API is a reliable solution for businesses to quickly get the mobile number revocation list. It instantly provides the information whether the phone number is disconnected or not.

It helps in saving the time spent in checking each number in the huge list. Just input the number and get the result in real time. It also offers a bulk verification feature, which helps in the verification of large amounts of customer numbers simultaneously. With the accurate and easy data, the business can easily clean up their customer database.

Importance of MNRL

These are the reasons why it is important for businesses:

• Prevent Identity Fraud: Thought if a mobile number is deactivated and reassigned to another person. If the business sends sensitive details to that number, then the individual can gain unauthorised access.
• Enhance Accuracy in Verification Process: Today’s most businesses depend on mobile numbers for OTP based authentication and communication. Using an outdated number can lead to verification failures or messages reaching the wrong recipient. Compliance with regulation ensures that only interact with active and valid numbers.

• Reduce Operations Costs: Calling and messaging revoked numbers results in wasted resources. With the integration of Mobile Number Revocation List, businesses can avoid spending money on failed outreach efforts.

• Security in KYC Process: Today’s financial institutions and digital platforms use mobile numbers for KYC verifications. It’s confirms that verified processes are performed using active and legitimate numbers. It prevents unauthorized access.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

• The RBI can impose heavy penalties on organisations that fail to comply with MNRL regulations.
• Non-compliant Entities may face restriction in operations.
• Sending OTPs and financial details can result in financial fraud and identity theft.

To avoid these issues, banks and financial institutions should use MNRL in their operations.

Conclusion

Mobile Number Revocation list is crucial for businesses that verify users through mobile numbers. It helps prevent financial fraud, which ensures that sensitive information does not fall into the wrong recipient. The Mobile Number Revocation List RBI mandate for every financial institution to follow the mandate before 31 March, 2025. It will prevent legal penalties and restrictions. 

FAQs

What is the full form of MNRL?

The Full Form is Mobile Number Revocation List.

What is the purpose of MNRL?

It’s helps businesses in updating customer phone number records. It prevents identity theft and unauthorized access to mobile number reuse.

What is the mobile number revocation list?

A Mobile Number Revocation List is a database maintained by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). It contains a list of permanently disconnected phone numbers.

How often is the mobile number revocation list updated?

Mobile number revocation list is updated on the 8th day of every month.