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SIM card rules in India are set to change from August 24, with telecom companies required to prevent customers from obtaining mobile connections beyond the permitted limit. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom operators to identify customers who have already reached the maximum number of SIM cards allowed in their name. Such customers will be informed that they cannot get another mobile connection.
Under the existing DoT rules, an individual can have a maximum of nine mobile connections in their name across telecom operators and licensed service areas in India. However, the limit is lower in some regions. Customers in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-East can have up to six mobile connections.
Starting August 24, telecom companies will have to take steps to identify customers who try to obtain another SIM after reaching this limit. The DoT has directed operators to inform such customers that they have already reached the maximum number of mobile connections allowed and that no new connection can be issued.
The new system will use subscriber photographs to help telecom companies identify people who have already reached the permitted SIM limit. The DoT will make representative images of subscribers who have reached the maximum limit available on the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) from August 23.
Telecom operators will have to download these images every day and use them to identify customers attempting to obtain additional mobile connections.
The DoT said, “From 24.8.2026 onward, TSPs shall take appropriate technical and organizational measures to identify each subscriber who seeks to obtain mobile connections beyond the prescribed limit…”
Also Read: DoT Tightens SIM Limits While Airtel, Jio Revise Offers in India
Initially, the system will work on a post-facto basis. This means telecom operators can carry out the verification after a new connection has been enrolled. If a connection is used beyond the permitted daily limit, it must be suspended immediately until the issue is resolved.
The government has also asked telecom companies to move towards a real-time system so that excess connections can be identified and stopped during the enrolment and activation process. Operators have been told to move to real-time checks by November 30.
Most parts of India: 9 mobile connections
Jammu and Kashmir: 6 mobile connections
Assam: 6 mobile connections
North-East: 6 mobile connections
Customers must also declare any mobile connections already held in their name across different telecom operators and licensed service areas on the Customer Application Form (CAF).
