[4][5] Apart from this, TERM Cells also operate the Central Monitoring System (CMS), a clandestine mass electronic surveillance program, and carry out other functions.
The Government felt that the new name reflected "the entire gamut of functions assigned to the Cells" and "distinguished their role vis-vis staff-vigilance activities".
[4][5] TERM Cells analyze and resolve complaints received through the Public Grievance (PG) portal or from other sources.
[3] Other functions of TERM Cells are checking mobile spectrum utilization and investigation of complaints regarding telecom and Internet services.
[3] The CMS gives India's security agencies and income tax officials centralized access to India's telecommunications network[10] and the ability to listen in on and record mobile, landline and satellite[11] calls and voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and read private emails, SMS and MMS, geolocate people using Mobile phone tracking,[12] all in real time.
[2] Each cell is headed by a Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) level officer, termed as Deputy Director General (DDG).