Aadhaar-based biometric verification mandatory for new SIM cards

If you’re planning to get a new SIM card, here’s a heads-up: Aadhaar-based biometric verification is now mandatory. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has asked the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to enforce this rule to stop the misuse of mobile connections issued with fake documents. Turns out, those dodgy SIM cards are often linked to fraud and other crimes.

Until now, you could use any government ID, like your voter ID or passport, to get a new connection. But with this update, retailers can only activate your SIM card after verifying your Aadhaar details biometrically. In short, no Aadhaar, no SIM.

This comes after a telecom sector review found fake SIM cards playing a big role in financial scams. Investigators even found cases where a single device was tied to multiple fake SIMs, breaking the rules and fueling cybercrime.

Retailers caught issuing SIM cards with fake IDs could be in serious trouble. The government has also told the telecom department to work with law enforcement and use AI tools to track down fraudsters.

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