The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a circular on August 17, 2026, directing telecom operators to prevent subscribers who have reached the maximum permissible limit of nine mobile connections from obtaining any new SIM cards. According to the circular, telecom service providers must implement appropriate technical and organisational measures from August 24, 2026, to identify such subscribers and communicate that they cannot be provided with additional mobile connections. The Ministry of Communications and DoT have emphasized that the objective is to ensure that each individual subscriber is able to subscribe to and use mobile connections only within the prescribed limit.
The DoT has directed telecom operators to use the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) established by the department to identify subscribers seeking connections beyond the prescribed limit. As reported by the DoT, the platform identifies mobile connections held by individuals across operators and service areas using subscriber data uploaded by telecom companies. From August 23, 2026, a representative image of the photo of each subscriber who has reached the prescribed limit will be made available on DIP, which operators must download daily to prevent such subscribers from crossing the limit. Under the instructions, telecom companies will initially be allowed to identify such subscribers on a post-facto basis, meaning the checks can be carried out one day after the mobile connection is enrolled. The framework involves data sharing and processing through DoT systems, including the DIP and Sanchar Saathi, with telecom operators using the information for verification, rejection handling and monitoring.
Under existing rules, an individual can hold a maximum of nine mobile connections across all telecom service providers and licensed service areas. However, the limit is six connections in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-East licensed service areas. The circular emphasizes that telecom service providers will have to use a representative image of the subscriber's photograph to identify individuals who have already reached the prescribed limit and deny them new SIM cards. The instructions also require customers to provide a declaration in the Customer Application Form (CAF) regarding the mobile connections already held in their name across telecom operators and licensed service areas. Connections beyond these limits are considered violations of existing guidelines, with subscribers found holding excess connections required to bring their numbers within the permitted limit.
The DoT has directed that the system be integrated with the process of enrolling and activating a new mobile connection on a real-time basis by November 30, 2026. Until then, any mobile connection activated beyond the prescribed limit on a particular day will have to be immediately suspended until the issue is resolved. According to the circular, until such measures are implemented by a TSP on a post-facto basis, any mobile connection activated beyond the prescribed limit for a day shall be immediately suspended until resolution of the issue in respect of crossing the permitted limit for mobile connections. The respective Licensed Service Areas (LSAs) will be the competent authorities to decide issues arising from the implementation of the instructions.
