How many SIM cards can you buy using one Aadhaar card?

In 2018, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had increased the number of connections per user to 18, but on a condition. It was enhanced because the number of SIMs required for M2M communication will be large. After enhancement, 9 SIMs now be used for normal mobile phone communications or for use in devices that have a slot for them. 

The other 9 SIMs can be purchased for M2M communications (Machine to machine communications). The revised guidelines by DoT came into effect after Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel started selling Apple Watch Series 3 which has the eSIM service provision only.

About these guidelines, if M2M is required to be pre-installed, it will be the device makers' responsibility to complete subscriber verification. However, it will be the responsibility of the person or end-user to update subscriber details, if he or she transfers the device to another user. 

In 2019, DoT developed the Telecom Analytics for Fraud management and Consumer Protection (TAF-COP) portal website. It was developed to help subscribers, check the number of mobile connections in their name, and take necessary action for regularising their additional mobile connections. However, the primary responsibility of handling the Customer Acquisition Form (CAF) lies with the service providers.

The facilities provided in the portal, https://tafcop.dgtelecom.gov.in/ are:

1. Subscribers having more than nine multiple connections in their name will be intimated by SMS.

2. Subscribers having more than nine multiple connections in their name can – click the above link, to take necessary action.

3. Users can check the status once they click the above link to log in with their number and enter the “Ticket ID Ref No” in the "Request Status" box.

Using this tracker, anyone can find out if any SIM card has been issued using their Aadhaar card or without their knowledge and permission. Once you open the link given above, you will be asked to type in your mobile number and be provided with an OTP. After completing the required process, you will be able to see the details of all SIM cards purchased using your Aadhaar number.

In 2019, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, made it clear that no directions were issued by the Department of Telecommunications for making mandatory for all mobile users in the Country to link Aadhaar number with mobile SIM cards. However, the Aadhaar based E-KYC (Electronic-Know Your Customer) process was adopted as an alternative mechanism of KYC for issuance of new mobile connections on 16.08.2016 and a method of re-verification of existing mobile subscribers on 23.03.2017.

Later, in pursuance of the Supreme Court’s judgment dated 26.09.2018, DoT had discontinued the use of Aadhaar based E-KYC service UIDAI for issuing new mobile connections to subscribers and re-verification of existing mobile subscribers. However, subsequently vide an ordinance, it has been allowed voluntarily to be used.