Effective December 1st, 2023, the DoT has implemented new regulations to combat online financial fraud and enhance oversight of SIM card sales. These changes impact both individual customers and sellers.
New SIM Card Rules: All New Rules & Guidelines
1. Registration for Telecom Agents:
- PoS agents must sign an agreement with telecom providers to avoid illegal activities.
- Violations result in hefty fines (₹10 lakh) and service termination (3 years).
- This 12-month registration period helps identify and remove bad actors.
2. KYC Rules:
- Mandatory KYC process for new SIM cards and existing number replacements.
- Demographic details captured via Aadhaar QR code scanning.
- 90-day waiting period for re-issuing disconnected numbers.
- Complete KYC required for SIM replacements.
- 24-hour limit on SMS functionality for replacements.
3. Bulk SIM Buying:
- Bulk SIM sales are banned to prevent digital fraud.
- Businesses, corporates, or events require KYC for each SIM card.
- Individual customers can still purchase up to 9 SIM cards per ID.
- Minister Vaishnaw’s Statement: “Previously, bulk SIM purchases were allowed. We’ve ended this provision and replaced it with a proper business connection system to prevent fraudulent calls.”
