NationalSaturday, 22 August 2026·Hindu Tamil Thisai
Centre caps SIM cards at 9 per person from August 24, 2026; telecom firms get till November 30
The Centre has ordered telecom companies to block new SIM issuance beyond 9 cards per subscriber and complete system changes by November 30, 2026.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In August 2026, the Union government issued a circular to telecom companies stating that from August 24, 2026, no new SIM card should be issued to a subscriber who already holds 9 SIM cards, and the system changes must be fully implemented by November 30, 2026.
Key specifics
- The SIM-card cap is 9 per subscriber.
- The new rule takes effect from August 24, 2026.
- Telecom companies must display details of customers who reach the limit on the government’s digital intelligence platform from August 23, 2026.
- Subscribers already holding 9 SIM cards cannot be issued another SIM card.
- Telecom firms have until November 30, 2026 to complete the technical and administrative changes.
Exam lens
Question type: governance and telecom regulation, date-based rule, compliance deadline. Key facts: Union government, 9 SIM cards, August 24 2026, August 23 2026, November 30 2026, digital intelligence platform. One-liner: From which date will the 9-SIM-card limit become applicable in India?