Starting tomorrow, August 24, changes to the rules concerning SIM cards will come into force. A SIM card, or Subscriber Identity Module, is necessary for using telecommunication services in modern smartphones. The Department of Telecommunications of India (DoT) intends to tighten the norms regulating the SIM card limit.
According to available information, if a person reaches the established limit of purchased SIM cards, telecommunication companies will no longer provide them with new SIM cards. Therefore, it is crucial for citizens to know how many SIM cards are registered under their name.
The existing rule states that one person can purchase and use no more than nine SIM cards. However, if any number has been deactivated, it is not counted in this limit. This restriction applies in most states of the country. Nevertheless, in regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, and the northeastern states, the maximum limit is six SIM cards.
In accordance with the new DoT directives, telecom operators must now verify how many active SIM cards are already registered under a person's name before selling a new card. If a person has already used all permitted SIM cards and they remain active, they may be denied a new connection.
After August 24, if you plan to purchase a SIM card, you can check the number of active SIM cards registered in your name yourself through the Sanchar Saathi portal. You need to go to the portal's homepage, scroll down, and click on 'Know Mobile connection in Your Name'. Then, enter a ten-digit mobile phone number, followed by entering a captcha and an SMS code. The process can be completed by clicking the 'Login' button.
After this, a new window will open where you can see all registered numbers. Additionally, users can deactivate numbers they do not use, as well as report any suspicious numbers.