DoT orders halt on new SIMs for users who hit limit

New Delhi: New SIM card rules have taken effect, with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directing telecom operators to stop issuing mobile connections to individuals who have already reached the permitted limit of nine SIMs. For subscribers in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-East, the cap is six connections. The Livemint reports that the DoT circular, which came into force from 24 August 2026, shifts the burden onto telecom service providers to identify and inform customers who breach the limit.

The Assam Tribune reports that initially the system will operate on a post-facto basis, where operators can verify after activation and suspend any connection that exceeds the limit. By November 30, 2026, telecom companies must move to real-time checks during enrollment. From 23 August 2026, the DoT will upload representative images of subscribers who have reached the limit to the Digital Intelligence Platform, which operators must download daily to identify applicants seeking additional SIMs. Customers must now declare all existing connections in their Customer Application Form.