New Delhi, 20 August 2026: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom service providers to prevent individuals from obtaining additional mobile connections once they reach the prescribed limit of nine connections in their name.
Directive is part of a new mechanism to identify subscribers holding mobile connections across different telecom operators and service areas. DoT issued the instructions through a circular dated August 17, 2026.
Under existing rules, an individual can hold a maximum of nine mobile connections across all telecom service providers and licensed service areas. Limit is six connections in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-East licensed service areas.
Digital platform to track connections
DoT's Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) will be used to identify and group mobile connections registered in an individual's name across different telecom operators and service areas. According to the circular, the platform uses subscriber data uploaded by telecom service providers to identify connections held by the same individual.
Photo-based verification from August 23
A significant part of the new system will come into operation from August 23. DoT has directed that a representative image of subscribers who have already reached the prescribed limit will be made available on the DIP. Telecom operators are required to download these images daily to help identify such subscribers when they seek another connection.
From August 24, telecom operators must take technical and organisational measures to identify subscribers attempting to obtain connections beyond the permitted limit and inform them that another connection cannot be provided.
What happens if a connection is issued beyond the limit?
Until the verification system is fully integrated into the mobile connection activation process, operators may initially carry out the verification on a D+1 post-facto basis. DoT has instructed that any connection activated beyond the prescribed limit during this interim period should be immediately suspended until the issue is resolved.
Department has set November 30, 2026 as the deadline for telecom operators to integrate the verification mechanism into their process for enrolling and activating new mobile connections on a real-time basis.
What mobile users should know
Nine-SIM limit is not a new rule. The latest circular strengthens enforcement by allowing telecom operators to identify connections held by an individual across multiple service providers.
People who have accumulated old or unused SIM cards in their name may therefore want to check their registered mobile connections and surrender numbers they no longer use, particularly if their total approaches the permitted limit. DoT said the respective Licensed Service Areas will be the competent authorities for deciding issues arising from implementation of the new instructions.
Source: Department of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communications, Circular No. 3/User Identification/2026 dated August 17, 2026.
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