The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom operators to stop issuing new mobile connections to individuals who already have the maximum permitted nine SIM cards registered in their name.
Under the new instructions, telecom service providers (TSPs) must introduce technical and organisational measures from August 24, 2026, to identify customers attempting to obtain a mobile connection beyond the prescribed limit and reject such applications.
New SIM Rules Take Effect From August 24
According to a DoT circular dated August 17, telecom companies must verify whether a customer has already reached the permitted limit before activating another mobile connection.
Customers who have nine SIMs registered in their name will be informed that they have reached the maximum limit and, therefore, cannot receive another connection.
The DoT has instructed telecom operators to use the department’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) for this verification. The platform uses subscriber information uploaded by telecom service providers to identify customers who have already crossed or reached the prescribed limit.
DIP To Help Telcos Identify Customers
The Digital Intelligence Platform will play a central role in enforcing the new SIM limit.
The department said that details of subscribers who have already obtained mobile connections beyond the prescribed limit are available on the DIP. From August 23, a representative photograph of each subscriber who has reached the permitted limit will also be available on the platform.
This information is intended to help telecom companies identify customers applying for additional SIM cards and prevent them from exceeding the permitted number of connections.
Telecom Companies Given November 30 Deadline
The DoT has also directed telecom operators to streamline and integrate their processes with the Digital Intelligence Platform by November 30, 2026.
Until these systems are fully implemented, operators have been instructed to follow a temporary post-facto procedure based on the terms and conditions of the Customer Application Form (CAF).
Under this arrangement, any mobile connection activated beyond the permitted limit on a particular day must be immediately suspended until the issue is resolved.
Why The New SIM Limit Matters
The tighter verification process is aimed at ensuring that telecom operators can effectively enforce the existing limit on mobile connections registered under an individual’s name.
By linking subscriber records with the DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform, authorities and telecom companies will have a more streamlined mechanism to detect excess mobile connections and prevent further activations.
For consumers, the key takeaway is simple: if nine mobile connections are already registered in your name, you will not be able to obtain another SIM once the new enforcement measures take effect from August 24, 2026.