If you have multiple mobile numbers registered in your name, the DoT New SIM Rule will become important from August 24, 2026.
Under the latest enforcement directive issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), an individual cannot obtain a new mobile connection after reaching the maximum permitted limit of nine mobile connections across all telecom operators in India.
The rule does not allow nine SIM cards with each telecom company. Instead, the limit is calculated by adding all mobile connections registered in your name across operators such as Airtel, Jio, Vi and BSNL.
DoT New SIM Rule explained
The Department of Telecommunications has instructed telecom service providers to stop issuing new mobile connections to subscribers who have already reached the prescribed limit.
According to the directive, telecom operators must identify such subscribers before issuing a new connection and inform them that they have already reached the maximum number of mobile connections allowed under the rules.
For example, if a person has four Airtel numbers, three Jio numbers and two Vi numbers, the total becomes nine. In such a case, no additional mobile connection can be issued unless the total number of registered connections falls below the limit.
Different limits in some parts of India
While most parts of the country allow up to nine mobile connections per individual, a lower limit applies in Jammu & Kashmir, Assam and the North-East Licensed Service Areas.
In these regions, an individual can hold a maximum of six mobile connections. Any request for an additional connection beyond this limit will not be allowed under the revised enforcement process.
How telecom companies will check your SIM count
To implement the new system, telecom operators will use the Department of Telecommunications’ Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP).
The platform maintains subscriber information shared by telecom operators and helps identify customers who have already reached the permitted number of mobile connections.
From August 23, representative subscriber images of people who have reached the maximum limit will also be available through the platform to assist telecom operators during verification.
The department has asked operators to gradually integrate this process into their SIM activation systems, with full implementation targeted by November 30, 2026.
What happens if you already have more than nine SIMs?
The new directive does not mean existing mobile numbers above the limit will stop working immediately on August 24.
DoT’s subscriber verification guidelines require users with excess connections to surrender, transfer or disconnect enough mobile numbers to bring their total within the permitted limit.
If excess connections are not removed, the department’s earlier guidelines allow the connections activated beyond the prescribed limit to be disconnected first.
Until telecom operators fully integrate the new verification process, any mobile connection activated beyond the permitted limit may also be suspended immediately until the issue is resolved.
Subscribers who want a new mobile number after reaching the limit can first disconnect one of their existing connections. Once their total falls below the permitted limit, they may apply for another connection, subject to normal KYC and telecom operator requirements.
Check mobile numbers registered in your name
The Department of Telecommunications advises users to regularly verify how many mobile numbers are registered against their identity.
The Sanchar Saathi portal allows subscribers to check all mobile connections linked to their name and report numbers they do not recognise.
This can help prevent misuse if an unknown or unused SIM is registered using a person’s identity documents.
The government has been strengthening verification measures as part of its wider effort to curb telecom fraud, phishing, spam calls, impersonation and financial scams by ensuring mobile connections remain linked to their genuine subscribers.
