Key takeaways
- Sanchar Saathi lists every mobile number linked to your identity after OTP login.
- Limit is 9 SIMs per person, or 6 in J&K, Assam and the North-East.
- DoT told operators to enforce the limit from 24 August 2026.
- Mark unknown numbers as 'This is not my number' to get them re-verified or cut.
- For money lost to fraud, call 1930 or use cybercrime.gov.in.
You can check how many mobile numbers are registered in your name using the government’s Sanchar Saathi portal or app: log in with your mobile number and an OTP, and it lists every connection linked to your ID. This matters more now because the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) told operators in August 2026 to strictly enforce the limit of nine SIMs per person, and to refuse new connections to anyone already at that limit.
A number you never took could be one issued using your Aadhaar or other ID, often by a fraudster. It can block you from getting a new SIM and can be used in scams that trace back to you. Checking takes about two minutes.
How many SIM cards can one person have in India?
The limit is nine mobile connections per person across all operators. In Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-East licensed service areas, the limit is six. The cap has existed since 2012, but a DoT circular dated 17 August 2026 asked operators to enforce it from 24 August using the Digital Intelligence Platform, which pulls subscriber data from all telcos into one place.
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Under the directive, operators must ask new customers to declare all connections in their name, deny a new SIM to anyone at the limit, and align their systems with the platform by 30 November 2026. Under the Telecommunications Act 2023, holding SIMs beyond the limit can attract a fine of Rs 50,000 for a first offence and up to Rs 2 lakh for repeat offences.
Why there may be numbers in your name you never took
Most people who find an unknown number did nothing wrong. A shop may have misused your ID copy, or an old postpaid or dongle connection was never closed. Fraudsters buy such numbers to run fake KYC, loan and investment calls, because the trail leads to someone else.
The DoT has been disconnecting these numbers at scale. By July 2025 it reported that over 82 lakh fake connections had been disconnected, and over 4.7 crore connections in total through its data analysis, citizen reports and inputs from other agencies.
How to check SIMs in your name on the Sanchar Saathi website
- Go to sancharsaathi.gov.in, the official DoT portal.
- Under citizen services, open the option to know mobile connections in your name.
- Enter your 10-digit mobile number and the captcha, then submit.
- Enter the OTP you receive by SMS.
- The portal lists all mobile numbers registered against your identity.
How to check using the Sanchar Saathi app
- Install the official Sanchar Saathi app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. The publisher should be the Department of Telecommunications.
- Sign in with a mobile number that is active in your phone and verify with the OTP.
- Open the section for mobile connections in your name to see the full list.
Only download the app from the official stores. Fake government apps shared as APK files on WhatsApp are a common trap, as we explained in our guide to the fake APK scam on WhatsApp.
What to do if you find a number you do not recognise
- Not your number: mark it as “This is not my number” and submit the report. The connection goes for re-verification and is disconnected if nobody can verify it.
- Old number you no longer need: mark it as “Not required” to have it closed.
- Keep the reference ID: you get a request ID, which you can use on the portal to track the status of your complaint.
If you are over the limit with numbers you actually use, for example an old work SIM or a data dongle, close the ones you no longer need through your operator.
Other Sanchar Saathi tools worth knowing
| Service | What it does |
|---|---|
| Chakshu | Report suspected fraud calls, SMS or WhatsApp messages, such as fake KYC, police or job offers |
| Block lost or stolen phone (CEIR) | Block a phone’s IMEI after filing a police report, and unblock it if found |
| Know your mobile handset (KYM) | Check if a phone’s IMEI is genuine. You can also SMS “KYM” followed by the 15-digit IMEI to 14422 |
| Report international call with Indian number | Flag calls that show a +91 number but come from abroad. You can also dial 1963 or 1800110420 |
Chakshu is not for reporting money already lost. If you have lost money to fraud, call the 1930 cybercrime helpline immediately or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in. With festive season scams on the rise, read our explainer on Diwali 2026 UPI and OTP scams as well.
A quick routine to stay safe
Check your connections once every few months and after you share ID copies for a new SIM, a bank account or a job. Never share an OTP that arrives when you did not request one, and keep track of where you hand over ID copies. These steps take minutes and make it much harder for someone to misuse your identity.
Frequently asked questions
How can I check how many SIM cards are registered in my name?
Visit sancharsaathi.gov.in or open the Sanchar Saathi app, enter your mobile number and OTP, and open the section for mobile connections in your name. It lists every number linked to your identity.
What is the maximum number of SIM cards allowed per person in India?
One person can hold up to nine mobile connections across all operators. In Jammu and Kashmir, Assam and the North-East licensed service areas, the limit is six.
What happens if I report a number as not mine on Sanchar Saathi?
The connection is sent to the operator for re-verification, and it is disconnected if it cannot be verified. You get a request ID to track the status.
Is there a penalty for having more than nine SIM cards?
Under the Telecommunications Act 2023, exceeding the limit can attract a fine of Rs 50,000 for a first offence and up to Rs 2 lakh for repeat offences.
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