# India telecom security and fraud prevention measures > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/india-telecom-security-and-fraud-prevention-measures > Updated: 2026-09-06T12:35:41.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 6. In July 2026, India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) introduced new security regulations to protect critical digital infrastructure. These rules prohibit telecom infrastructure providers from storing or transmitting telecom-related data outside of India and establish a new regulatory category for Cloud-Hosted Telecommunication Network Providers (CHTNPs) subject to continuous monitoring. Simultaneously, the DoT utilized an artificial intelligence and big-data platform called ASTR to identify and disconnect approximately 8.8 million mobile connections flagged as suspicious or failing reverification. By August 2026, the DoT expanded its efforts to curb cyber fraud and identity misuse by mandating limits on the number of SIM cards an individual can hold. Effective August 24, 2026, individuals are prohibited from obtaining new connections if they already hold nine active SIM cards across all operators. In sensitive regions such as Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, and the North-East, this limit is restricted to six connections. Following a circular issued on August 17, telecom service providers are now required to implement technical and organizational measures to strictly enforce these quotas. To combat rising cyber fraud and “digital arrests,” the DoT is phasing out paper-based KYC in favor of mandatory digital and biometric authentication, including live facial recognition, fingerprinting, or iris scans. All telecom service providers must ensure mandatory police verification for POS agents and SIM dealers. Furthermore, under the Telecommunications Act, 2023, the DoT has warned that tampering with International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers or obtaining SIM cards through fraud, cheating, or impersonation are cognizable and non-bailable offenses, punishable by up to three years of imprisonment and fines of up to Rs 50 lakh. ## Claims - Tampering with IMEI numbers or using devices with unauthorized identifiers is a punishable offense under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Violations can result in up to three years of imprisonment, a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh, or both. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Offenses under these provisions are classified as cognizable and non-bailable under Section 42(7) of the Act. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Obtaining SIM cards or telecommunication identifiers through fraud, cheating, or impersonation is prohibited under Section 42(3)(e). (corroborated by 3 sources) - Individuals who abet or promote these offenses face the same legal punishments under Section 42(6). (corroborated by 2 sources) - Subscribers may face legal liability if they allow SIM cards registered in their name to be used for cyber fraud or unlawful activities. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-06: India enforces strict SIM card limits to bolster digital security India is enforcing strict limits on the number of SIM cards an individual can own to combat digital fraud and bolster national security through mandatory technical verification by telecom providers. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-enforces-strict-sim-card-limits-to-bolster-digital-security ### 2026-08-31: India's DoT warns of jail and fines for IMEI tampering India's Department of Telecommunications warned that tampering with mobile IMEI numbers or misusing SIM cards can lead to three years in prison and fines up to Rs 50 lakh under the Telecommunications Act, 2023. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indias-dot-warns-of-jail-and-fines-for-imei-tampering ### 2026-08-24: India implements new SIM card and e-KYC regulations India has introduced strict new SIM card rules, mandating biometric e-KYC and police verification for dealers to combat cyber fraud and enforcing limits on the number of mobile connections per person. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-implements-new-sim-card-and-e-kyc-regulations ### 2026-08-22: India tightens enforcement of mobile SIM card connection limits India's Department of Telecommunications is tightening enforcement of SIM card limits, requiring operators to block new connections for users who have reached the nine-SIM cap to prevent digital fraud. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-tightens-enforcement-of-mobile-sim-card-connection-limits ### 2026-08-20: India DoT tightens SIM card limits to combat cybercrime India's DoT is enforcing strict SIM card limits starting August 24, 2026, capping connections at nine per person (six in sensitive regions) to curb cyber fraud and identity misuse. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-dot-mandates-limits-on-mobile-sim-card-connections ### 2026-07-23: India's Telecom Ministry Bars Data Export, Cuts 8.8 Million Fraudulent Mobile Lines India’s telecom ministry bans overseas storage of telecom data and, using AI tools, has disconnected 8.8 million suspicious mobile lines to curb cyber fraud. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indias-telecom-ministry-bars-data-export-cuts-88-million-fraudulent-mobile-lines --- Cite as: India telecom security and fraud prevention measures. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/india-telecom-security-and-fraud-prevention-measures