Centre tightens SIM rules: just nine connections per person
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New Delhi: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is tightening the rules on mobile connections, with individuals set to be limited to a maximum of nine SIM cards across all telecom operators and service areas in most parts of India from August 24, 2026. The limit applies collectively, meaning subscribers cannot hold nine connections each with different operators.
For instance, a person with four Airtel, three Jio and two Vi numbers would have reached the permitted ceiling and would not be eligible for another connection from any operator. The limit is lower in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-Eastern licensed service areas, where subscribers can have a maximum of six connections.
The new restrictions are part of the government's broader effort to curb the misuse of telecom connections in cybercrime and financial fraud. Mobile numbers are increasingly exploited for phishing, spam calls, impersonation and other fraudulent activities, prompting authorities to tighten oversight of connections issued using individual identities.
To enforce the limit, telecom operators will use the Department of Telecommunications' Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), which consolidates subscriber information supplied by telecom companies. The system is intended to help operators identify subscribers who have reached or exceeded the permitted threshold. Full implementation of the mechanism has been targeted for November 30, 2026.
Subscribers who already possess more than the permitted number of connections will not see their numbers automatically disconnected on August 24. However, connections exceeding the prescribed limit will be treated as non-compliant. Subscribers are expected to surrender, transfer or disconnect excess numbers, with later-acquired connections potentially facing disconnection first.
Those concerned that SIM cards registered in their names may be used by others can check their connections through the DoT's Sanchar Saathi portal. The service also allows users to flag unfamiliar or unwanted numbers, including connections obtained without their knowledge.
The government says the tighter framework is aimed at preventing telecom resources from being exploited for fraudulent and criminal activities.
