The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is tightening enforcement of the rules governing the number of mobile connections an individual can hold in India. From August 24, telecom operators will be required to prevent customers who have already reached the permitted limit from obtaining additional SIM cards.
The move follows a DoT circular dated August 17, which directs telecom service providers to put in place technical and organisational measures to identify subscribers attempting to obtain a mobile connection beyond the prescribed limit. Such customers will have to be informed that they have already reached the maximum number of connections permitted in their name.
How Many SIM Cards Can One Person Have?
The existing rule allows an individual to hold up to nine mobile connections across all telecom operators and service areas in India. A lower limit of six connections applies in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-Eastern states. The limit has been in place for several years; the latest move focuses on stricter enforcement at the time of issuing new connections.
This means a customer who already has nine mobile connections in their name will not be able to obtain another connection from any telecom operator once the new enforcement mechanism comes into effect.
Photo-Based Verification to Strengthen Checks
As part of the new system, the DoT’s Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) will provide telecom operators with a representative photograph of subscribers who have reached the applicable connection limit. Operators can use this information while processing requests for additional mobile connections.
The government has also directed operators to establish systems to identify subscribers seeking connections beyond the prescribed limit and prevent such SIMs from being issued.
What If a SIM Is Issued Despite the Limit?
The DoT has prescribed an interim mechanism for cases where a mobile connection is activated despite the subscriber having already reached the permissible limit. Such a connection may be suspended for one day while the issue is resolved, according to the reported provisions of the circular.
Telecom operators are expected to further integrate their systems with the Digital Intelligence Platform, with the transition towards real-time verification scheduled to be completed by November 30.
Why Is the Government Tightening the Rules?
The stricter enforcement is aimed at preventing misuse of mobile connections and improving the ability of authorities to identify subscribers. The measure is part of wider efforts to curb fraudulent SIM usage and telecom-related cybercrime.
The SIM limit itself is not new. What changes from August 24 is the enforcement mechanism, requiring telecom companies to actively check whether a customer has already reached the prescribed ceiling before issuing another connection.
Consumers who want to check how many mobile connections are registered in their name can use the government’s Sanchar Saathi platform and take action if they find an unfamiliar number registered against their identity.