Archive · 22 Aug 2026
DoT Directs Telcos to Block SIMs Beyond Permitted Limits
The government has told phone companies not to give people more SIM cards after they reach a set limit.
In most of India, the limit is nine active mobile connections.
The limit is six in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-East, according to one report.
Phone companies must start checking customers from August 24, 2026.
They will use a government system called the Digital Intelligence Platform.
This system will include representative photographs of people who have reached their limit.
Companies may first check some new connections after they are activated.
If a connection breaks the rule, it can be suspended until the problem is fixed.
Phone companies must eventually connect their systems for faster checks and complete the process by November 30.
The Department of Telecommunications has directed telecom operators to deny new SIMs to subscribers who have reached the permitted limit.
The standard limit is nine active connections in most of India, while Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-East have a limit of six, according to the TOI report.
Operators must begin technical and organisational measures to identify such subscribers from August 24, 2026.
The Digital Intelligence Platform will provide representative subscriber photographs from August 23 for verification, with operators required to access the information.
Connections activated beyond the limit may be suspended immediately until the issue is resolved, while operators must streamline their systems with the platform by November 30.
- Who
- The Department of Telecommunications and telecom service providers.
- What
- Operators have been directed to prevent subscribers who have reached their permitted SIM limit from obtaining additional mobile connections.
- When
- The circular was dated August 17; measures begin August 24, 2026, photographs become available August 23, and system streamlining is due by November 30.
- Where
- Across India, with different limits reported for most of the country and for Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-East.
- Why
- To identify subscribers seeking connections beyond the permitted limit and prevent or suspend excess connections.
- Issuing authority
- Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
- Standard limit
- Nine active mobile connections per individual in most of India.
- Regional limit
- Six connections in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-East, according to the Times of India report.
- Implementation date
- August 24, 2026.
- Verification platform
- Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), based on subscriber data uploaded by telecom companies.
- Photograph availability
- Representative subscriber photographs are to be available on the DIP from August 23, 2026.
- Compliance deadline
- Operators must streamline their processes with the DIP by November 30.
