New Delhi

TheDepartment of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom operators to decline new connections to subscribers who already have nine mobile SIMs in their name.

According to a circular, telecom operators have been asked to put in place appropriate technical and organisational measures from August 24 onwards to identify each subscriber seeking to obtain a connection beyond the prescribed limit and deny them a new SIM card.

"From August 24, 2026, onward, TSPs (telecom service providers) shall take appropriate technical and organisational measures to identify each subscriber who seeks to obtain mobile connections beyond the prescribed limit and communicate to him that he already has a maximum number of mobile connections permitted to an individual and accordingly, a new mobile connection cannot be provided to him," the circular said.

The DoT has asked telecom service providers to use the secure and centralised system Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), established by the department. "Subscribers who have already obtained mobile connections beyond the prescribed limit and the details of such subscribers are available on the DIP," the circular said.

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