We all rely on our mobile phones in our daily routines, and it’s hard to imagine life without them. So, it’s important for mobile users to know about the new SIM card rules starting from December 1, 2023. Originally, these rules were supposed to kick in on October 1, 2023, but the government postponed them by two months. Whether you’re getting a new SIM or selling one, being aware of these rules is key.
SIM Card Rules to Prevent Scams and Frauds
To tackle scams with fake SIMs, the Department of Telecommunications is introducing new rules for buying and selling SIM cards across India. These rules kick in on December 1 to crack down on rising scam cases. The government is taking these steps to address the serious issue of scams caused by fake SIMs, and breaking these rules could lead to fines and imprisonment. Let’s go through the SIM card rules in India below.
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Mark Your Calendar With Key Changes Starting From December 1
Here’re the New SIM Card Rules to Be In Effect From December 1, 2023:
SIM Card Dealer Verification
If you want to sell SIM cards as a dealer, you have to go through a verification process. Make sure to register the SIM cards during the sale, and the telecom operators are responsible for police verification. Not following these rules could result in a fine of Rs 10 lakh.
Aadhaar and Demographic Data for New SIM
If you’re getting a new SIM card for your current number, you’ll need to share your Aadhaar and other details.
SIM Card Issuance in Bulk
New rules say you can only get lots of SIM cards if you’re a business. If you’re just a regular user, you can still get up to 9 SIM cards with one ID.
To Deactivate SIM Card
Reiterating the point, the dispensing of SIM cards in large quantities is now off the table. Moreover, once a SIM card is deactivated, the recycling process for reassignment to a new user kicks in only after a 90-day cooldown.
About Penalties
If SIM-selling vendors don’t register by November 30, they might get fined up to Rs 10 lakh and could even face imprisonment.
