Business EconomyPosted at: Sep 19 2026 11:17PM


DoT tightens SIM checks: New mobile connection barred after prescribed limit, excess numbers face suspension

New Delhi, Sep 19 (UNI) Mobile subscribers who have reached the prescribed ceiling of connections in their name will be prevented from obtaining another connection, while any connection activated beyond the limit will be immediately suspended under tightened verification instructions issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
Under the rules cited in the DoT circular, an individual-category customer can subscribe to a maximum of nine mobile connections across all telecom service providers (TSPs) and Licensed Service Areas (LSAs).
The ceiling is six connections in Jammu & Kashmir, Assam and North-East LSAs.
The DoT circular, dated August 17, 2026, deals with reverification of existing mobile connections identified by the department, licensees or law-enforcement agencies.
For subscribers who already hold connections beyond the prescribed limit, telecom operators have been directed to take steps to bring the number within the permissible ceiling.
The circular reiterates that connections acquired later are to be disconnected until the total falls within the prescribed limit.
The DoT will use its Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to identify mobile connections operating in the name of the same individual across different telecom operators and service areas.
Telecom operators will have access through DIP to details of connections grouped against such subscribers.
The government has also tightened checks at the stage of obtaining a fresh connection.
From August 23, 2026, telecom operators are required to download daily from DIP a representative photograph of each subscriber who has already reached the prescribed limit.
From August 24, operators are required to use the photograph to identify a subscriber seeking another connection and inform the person that the maximum number of mobile connections permitted to an individual has already been reached and, accordingly, a new connection cannot be provided.
Initially, this check can be carried out on a D 1, or next-day, post-facto basis. The DoT has directed telecom operators to integrate the safeguard into the enrolment process so that the check is carried out in real time on or before November 30, 2026.
Until real-time implementation, any mobile connection found to be activated beyond the prescribed limit must be suspended immediately, and the subscriber must be asked to reduce the number of connections to within the permitted ceiling.
The respective LSAs will be the competent authorities to decide issues arising from implementation of the instructions.
UNI KK RN
Tags: #DoT tightens SIM checks: New mobile connection barred after prescribed limit# excess numbers face suspension
More News

Tata Trusts hires Abhishek Manu Singhvi as legal battle with Tata Sons escalates

20 Sep 2026 | 1:41 PM

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) Tata Trusts has brought senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi on board for legal representation as its dispute with Tata Sons intensified following the reappointment of N Chandrasekaran as chairman.

see more..

Technopark invites bids for second IT building under QUAD project

20 Sep 2026 | 1:00 PM

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) Technopark has invited bids from experienced co-developers for the construction and operation of its second IT office building under the integrated IT township project QUAD at the Technocity campus in Pallippuram, Thiruvananthapuram.

see more..

Faster state development key to Viksit Bharat: CEA Nageswaran

20 Sep 2026 | 12:53 PM

New Delhi, Sep 20 (UNI) India will need to mobilise significantly more private capital to fund its long-term development ambitions and achieve the goal of a developed economy by 2047, Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said.

see more..

Centre operationalises Rs 23,731-crore GOBARdhan scheme; offers assured CBG offtake, capital and pipeline support

20 Sep 2026 | 12:22 AM

New Delhi, Sep 19 (UNI) The Centre has issued detailed operational guidelines for its Rs 23,731-crore GOBARdhan scheme, laying down mechanisms for assured purchase of compressed biogas (CBG), administered pricing, capital assistance, pipeline connectivity and credit guarantees in a major push to expand India's waste-to-energy sector.
The National Circular Bioenergy Scheme, approved by the union Cabinet on August 6, will run from 2026-27 to 2035-36 and seeks to increase domestic CBG production nearly ten-fold.

see more..

DoT tightens SIM checks: New mobile connection barred after prescribed limit, excess numbers face suspension

19 Sep 2026 | 11:17 PM

New Delhi, Sep 19 (UNI) Mobile subscribers who have reached the prescribed ceiling of connections in their name will be prevented from obtaining another connection, while any connection activated beyond the limit will be immediately suspended under tightened verification instructions issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

see more..