By Aadyasha News 
New Delhi, : The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has tightened enforcement of rules limiting the number of mobile connections an individual can hold in India. A person can have a maximum of nine SIM cards registered in their name across all telecom operators and licensed service areas. (
The telecom department has directed service providers to prevent customers who have already reached the nine-SIM limit from obtaining additional mobile connections. The new enforcement measures will come into effect from August 24, 2026.Digital Platform to Track SIM Connections
Telecom operators have been instructed to use the Department of Telecommunications’ Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to identify subscribers who have reached or exceeded the permitted limit.
The platform contains details of subscribers with nine or more connections. From August 23, representative subscriber photographs will also be made available on the platform to help telecom companies verify identities.
Operators have been asked to introduce appropriate technical and organisational systems to identify customers seeking additional SIM cards. If a subscriber has already reached the permitted limit, the operator will inform them that no further connection can be issued.
Special Limit in Certain Regions
The nine-SIM limit is not applicable uniformly across all parts of the country. Subscribers in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-Eastern states are permitted to hold a maximum of six mobile connections.
The nine-connection limit itself is not a new rule. It was prescribed by the DoT in an order issued on August 9, 2012. The latest directive focuses on strengthening enforcement of the existing limit.
Aim to Curb Digital Fraud
The government says stricter enforcement is intended to prevent misuse of mobile connections and help tackle digital fraud carried out through mobile calls, SMS and other telecom-based services.
Telecom operators have also been asked to ensure that customers declare the mobile connections already registered in their names when applying for new connections.
Key Rule: Maximum 9 SIM cards per person across India, while the limit is 6 for Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-Eastern region.