To enforce new SIM card rules, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has asked telecom operators to stop issuing new mobile connections to subscribers who already have 9 SIM cards registered in their names.
The order tends to tighten enforcement of India’s prescribed limit on mobile connections.
According to an official circular, telecom service providers have been asked to implement technical and organisational measures from 24 August to identify customers attempting to obtain additional SIM cards and to prevent connections beyond the permitted limit.
Also Read: India Plans SIM-Binding for Messaging Apps, Network-Level Caller ID Rollout by 2026
DoT to Use Digital Intelligence Platform for SIM Verification
The DoT has instructed telecom operators to use the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to identify subscribers who have already reached the nine-SIM limit.
The platform contains subscriber information uploaded by telecom companies, including details of customers who have reached the maximum number of permitted connections.
From 23 August, a representative image of each subscriber who has reached the prescribed limit will also be made available on the DIP. The information is intended to help operators identify customers seeking additional mobile connections and stop further SIM issuance.
Also Read: DoT Warns Mobile Users: You’re Liable if Your SIM Is Misused for Cybercrime
New SIM Connections to Face Tighter Checks
The directive places the responsibility on telecom operators to ensure that subscribers do not cross the nine-connection ceiling. Operators will need to use the information available through the government platform while processing requests for new mobile connections.
The move strengthens the existing system for monitoring mobile connections registered against individual subscribers and adds another layer of verification before additional SIM cards are issued.
The DoT’s latest order signals an approach to keep a check on SIM ownership, with the Digital Intelligence Platform becoming a central tool for operators to verify subscriber records before approving new connections. The focus now shifts to how smoothly telecom companies implement the checks from 24 August.
Samarjit Kaur is a journalist and communications professional covering technology & emerging digital trends. With a focus on clarity and context, she reports on developments shaping industries and governance. When not reporting, she chooses to plug-in and relax on her playlists and plan her next bucket-list trips!
