Government's new rule
The government is now going to implement strict rules regarding the number of mobile numbers. From August 24, telecom companies will not give new SIMs to those people in whose name 9 SIMs are already registered. The Department of Telecommunications has instructed the companies to make necessary technical and administrative changes.
maximum sim limit
If a person already has 9 mobile connections in his name and wants to get another SIM, he will no longer be able to get additional numbers from the system. The purpose of this rule is to ensure that no person has more than the prescribed limit of mobile connections in his name. Companies have been given time till November 30, 2026 to improve their systems.
How many SIMs can a person have?
– Currently there is no new rule for the maximum limit of holding a SIM. The Department of Telecommunications had set a limit of maximum 9 mobile connections in the name of a person about a decade ago. This limit applies to different telecom companies and circles.
– The rules are different especially for Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and North-Eastern states. In these areas, a maximum of 6 mobile connections are allowed in the name of one person.
Now the changes are not happening in the limit, but in the way it is implemented. Before giving a new connection, telecom companies will have to ensure how many numbers are already registered in the name of the customer.
Old number will have to be mentioned while getting a new SIM
Before getting a new SIM, customers will have to provide information about the mobile numbers already running in their name. The customer will have to mention in the Customer Application Form (CAF) the mobile numbers which are registered with any other company or telecom circle.
This means that only the numbers of the company from where the customer is getting the new SIM will not be counted. Connections from other operators will also be included in the total number.
How to know how many SIMs you have?
Telecom companies can use the government's Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP). This will combine customer information received from various telecom companies to know how many connections a person has in his name.
– Apart from this, the Department of Telecommunications has decided to add the facility of photo based identification in this system. Photographs and information of all customers will be available on this platform from August 23.
What will happen if more SIMs are issued by mistake?
– The government has created an interim arrangement for cases where mobile connections exceed the limit by mistake before the technical changes are completed.
According to the instructions of the Department of Telecommunications, mobile connections issued in excess of the prescribed limit will be immediately suspended for one day. This action will be taken on the basis of terms and conditions entered in the customer application form.