Till now you could buy a new SIM card even without Aadhaar verification. However, now this will not be possible, in fact, the government has taken a big step regarding this. Under the new step of the government, you can no longer buy a SIM card without Aadhaar-based verification.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has issued an important directive to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under which Aadhaar-based biometric verification has been made mandatory for all new SIM card connections. The move is aimed at preventing the increasing misuse of mobile connections obtained through fake documents, which are often used in fraud and other criminal activities.

Aadhaar verification mandatory for SIM cards

Earlier, users could get a new mobile connection using any government identity card like voter ID or passport. But now under the new rules, Aadhaar/Aadhaar biometric verification has been made mandatory to activate all new SIM cards. Retailers are also strictly prohibited from selling SIM cards without following this process. This means that for a new SIM card, you will now have to follow the new rules.

Government's strictness on fake SIM cards

This decision was taken after a recent review meeting of the telecom sector, in which the role of fake SIM cards in financial fraud has come to the fore. The investigation also found that multiple SIM cards connected to the same device were violating telecom rules and promoting various types of cybercrime.

PMO has taken this big step

The PMO has directed the DoT to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and use AI tools to identify and punish criminals. There is also talk of taking strict action against retailers who issue SIM cards through fake documents.

Steps taken to prevent cybercrimes

This new order can be called part of the government's comprehensive efforts to deal with cybercrime. The introduction of Aadhaar-based verification is expected to reduce the risk of fraud through unverified mobile numbers to a great extent. The directive further tightens the issuance and tracking of SIM cards across the country.

A step towards secure mobile connections

The stringent guidelines reflect the government's resolve to maintain the security of mobile networks and protect citizens from fraud. Aadhaar-based biometric verification is now a mandatory step for obtaining new SIM cards, setting a precedent for secure telecom operations.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from digit.in. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation.