Section 4 — Qualifications for appointment of Chairperson and other members

The Chairperson and other members of the Authority shall be appointed by the Central Government from amongst persons who have special knowledge of, and professional experience in, telecommunication, industry, finance, accountancy, law, management or consumer affairs:

[Provided that a person who is, or has been, in the service of Government shall not be appointed--

(a) as a Chairperson unless such person has held the post of Secretary to the Government of India or any equivalent post in the Central Government or the State Government; or

(b) as a member unless such person has held the post of Additional Secretary to the Government of India or any equivalent post in the Central Government or the State Government:

Provided further that a person who is, or has been, in a service other than that of Government, shall be appointed--

(a) as a Chairperson if such person has at least thirty years of professional experience and has served as a member of the board of directors or a chief executive of a company in the areas as specified in this section; or

(b) as a Member if such person has at least twenty-five years of professional experience and has served as a member of the board of directors or chief executive of a company in the areas as specified in this section.]