New SIM Card Rules: Last month, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) issued a major directive to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), making Aadhaar-based biometric verification mandatory for all new SIM cards. The goal is to stop the growing misuse of mobile connections obtained with fake documents, which are often used for scams and illegal activities.

What are the New Guidlines?

Previously, people could get a new SIM card with just a government ID like a voter ID or passport according to a report by Money Control. But now, biometric verification through Aadhaar is required for every new connection. Telecom retailers are no longer allowed to sell SIM cards without completing this process. The system will also track how many SIM cards are registered to each person and check for multiple connections under different names. Customers will even need to have their photo taken from 10 different angles.

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This decision came after a review of the telecom sector showed that fraudulent SIM cards were fueling financial scams. Investigations found multiple SIM cards linked to a single device, which violates regulations and aids in cybercrime. To tackle this, the PMO directed the DoT to work closely with law enforcement and use AI tools to catch and punish those responsible. Retailers caught issuing SIM cards with fake documents will face severe consequences.

The government's new guidelines are a clear step toward fighting cybercrime and ensuring safer mobile connections. With Aadhaar verification in place, the chances of fraud through unverified SIM cards should drop significantly. This move also puts stronger controls on how SIM cards are issued and tracked across the country.

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