In India, every SIM card purchase requires Aadhaar-based KYC (Know Your Customer) verification. This means that every mobile number activated in your name — whether you remember getting it or not — is linked to your 12-digit Aadhaar number. While this system was designed to prevent fraud and ensure accountability, it has also opened a new vulnerability: fraudsters and dishonest SIM dealers sometimes activate SIM cards using stolen Aadhaar details without the owner’s knowledge.
The Government of India, through the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has launched an official portal called TAFCOP — Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection — that allows every Indian citizen to check exactly how many mobile connections are registered against their Aadhaar number, and to report or disconnect any numbers they do not recognise. This guide walks you through every method available, step by step, to check and manage SIMs linked to your Aadhaar.

Why You Should Check SIMs Linked to Your Aadhaar
Checking the mobile connections registered on your Aadhaar is not just a precaution — it is a critical security habit. Here is why it matters:
- Detect SIM fraud: Fraudsters may have activated SIM cards using your Aadhaar without your consent — these can be used for cybercrime, financial fraud, or impersonation.
- Prevent misuse of your identity: An unknown SIM linked to your Aadhaar could be used to open bank accounts, apply for loans, or conduct transactions in your name.
- Stay within the legal SIM limit: DoT regulations allow a maximum of 9 mobile connections per individual per telecom operator on the same Aadhaar. Exceeding this limit can lead to legal complications.
- Protect your financial security: SIM swaps and fake connections are commonly used in OTP-based banking fraud. Identifying and disconnecting rogue SIMs is your first line of defence.
- Avoid liability for others’ activities: If a SIM registered on your Aadhaar is used for illegal activities, you could be questioned or held accountable by law enforcement.
- Peace of mind: Regularly verifying your SIM count ensures your Aadhaar is not being exploited by anyone — known or unknown.
Important: If you discover unknown SIMs registered on your Aadhaar, report them immediately through the TAFCOP portal or by calling the DoT helpline at 1800-110-420. Acting quickly prevents further misuse of your identity.
Method 1: Check via the TAFCOP Portal (Official Government Method)
The TAFCOP (Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management and Consumer Protection) portal is the official government platform launched by DoT specifically for this purpose. It is the most accurate and authoritative way to check how many SIM cards are linked to your Aadhaar number.
Steps to Follow:
- Open a web browser on your phone or computer and visit the official TAFCOP portal: https://tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in
- On the homepage, you will see a field asking for your mobile number. Enter your active 10-digit mobile number that is linked to your Aadhaar.
- Click on “Request OTP.” An OTP will be sent to the mobile number you entered.
- Enter the OTP in the field provided and click “Validate” or “Login.”
- Once logged in, the portal will display a complete list of all mobile connections registered against your Aadhaar number — including the mobile number, telecom operator name, and current status of each connection.
- Review the list carefully. For any number you do not recognise or no longer use, click on that number and select the appropriate action — “This is not my number,” “Not required,” or “Required” depending on your situation.
- For numbers you want to disconnect, select “This is not my number” or “Not required” and submit the request. The portal will forward your complaint to the respective telecom operator for action.
Pro Tip: After submitting a disconnection request on TAFCOP, note the complaint or reference number provided. Follow up using this number if the connection is not deactivated within 7 working days.
Method 2: Check via the Sanchar Saathi Portal
Sanchar Saathi is the DoT’s comprehensive citizen-facing platform for telecom security services. It hosts the TAFCOP tool alongside other services like CEIR (for reporting and blocking stolen phones) and ASTR. The portal is available in both English and Hindi.
Steps to Follow:
- Open a browser and visit https://sancharsaathi.gov.in — the official Sanchar Saathi portal by DoT.
- On the homepage, look for the “Citizen Centric Services” section.
- Click on “Know Your Mobile Connections” or “TAFCOP” — both lead to the same SIM checking tool.
- Enter your 10-digit active mobile number in the field provided.
- Click “Get OTP” and enter the OTP received on your phone.
- The portal will display all mobile numbers registered under your Aadhaar-linked identity.
- You can take action on each number directly from this screen — report unknown numbers or request disconnection of SIMs you no longer need.
- The portal also allows you to check the status of previously submitted complaints from this same interface.
Pro Tip: The Sanchar Saathi portal also lets you block or unblock a lost or stolen mobile handset using its CEIR service — bookmark the portal for all your telecom security needs.
Method 3: Check via the UIDAI Website or mAadhaar App
The UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) — the body that issues and manages Aadhaar — provides tools to view the authentication history of your Aadhaar number. This shows every time your Aadhaar was used for KYC verification, including SIM activations.
Via UIDAI Website:
- Visit the official UIDAI website at https://uidai.gov.in
- Click on “My Aadhaar” from the top navigation menu.
- Select “Aadhaar Authentication History” from the dropdown menu.
- Enter your 12-digit Aadhaar number and the security captcha.
- Select the authentication type as “KYC” or “All” and set the date range to review a specific period.
- An OTP will be sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number — enter it to proceed.
- The page will display a log of all instances where your Aadhaar was authenticated, including telecom KYC verifications for SIM activations.
Via mAadhaar App:
- Download the mAadhaar app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
- Open the app and tap on “My Aadhaar” after completing the one-time setup with your Aadhaar number.
- Tap on “Authentication History” from the services menu.
- Select the date range and authentication type to view all KYC events linked to your Aadhaar.
- Review the list for any telecom-related KYC entries that you do not recognise.
Note: The UIDAI authentication history shows when your Aadhaar was used but may not list the specific mobile numbers activated. Use TAFCOP for the definitive list of active SIMs linked to your identity.
Method 4: Contact Your Telecom Operator Directly
Each telecom operator maintains their own database of SIM cards issued under a particular Aadhaar or identity document. If you want to check how many connections a specific operator has registered under your name, contacting them directly is a reliable approach.
Steps to Follow:
- Call your telecom operator’s customer care helpline — Jio at 199, Airtel at 121, Vi at 199, or BSNL at 1800-180-1503.
- Select the option for “Account Information” or “SIM Connections” from the IVR menu.
- After connecting with a customer care executive, provide your Aadhaar number (last 4 digits) or registered name and address for identity verification.
- Request the executive to tell you how many mobile connections are registered under your name or Aadhaar with their network.
- If you find any connection you did not apply for, request immediate deactivation and ask the executive to raise a fraud complaint on your behalf.
- Note the complaint reference number provided for follow-up.
Note: Contacting each operator separately only gives you their network’s connections. For a complete cross-operator view of all SIMs on your Aadhaar, always use the TAFCOP portal.
Method 5: Visit the Nearest Telecom Operator Store or Common Service Centre (CSC)
If you do not have reliable internet access or prefer an in-person verification, visiting a telecom operator’s retail store or a government-authorised Common Service Centre (CSC) is a practical option. Staff at these centres can access the TAFCOP portal or their internal databases on your behalf.
Steps to Follow:
- Visit the nearest Jio, Airtel, Vi, or BSNL retail store, or locate a Common Service Centre near you by visiting https://locator.csc.gov.in
- Carry your original Aadhaar card and a second photo ID proof such as your PAN card or voter ID.
- Request the store executive or CSC operator to check the number of active mobile connections registered under your Aadhaar number.
- The executive will access the TAFCOP database or their internal system and display the list of registered connections on their screen.
- If any unauthorised SIM is found, the executive can help you file a disconnection or fraud complaint on the spot.
- Collect written acknowledgement of any complaint filed for your records.
Pro Tip: CSC centres are widely available across rural and semi-urban India, making this method accessible even in areas with limited personal internet connectivity.
Method 6: Call the DoT Helpline or File a Complaint with Sanchar Saathi
The Department of Telecommunications operates a dedicated citizen helpline and an online complaint mechanism for telecom fraud. If you have already discovered an unauthorised SIM on your Aadhaar or want guidance on the verification process, these official channels provide direct government support.
Via DoT Helpline:
- Dial the DoT toll-free helpline at 1800-110-420 from any phone.
- This line is available during government working hours — Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM.
- Explain your concern to the helpline executive — they can guide you through checking SIMs on your Aadhaar and advise on reporting fraud.
- For urgent cases involving active misuse of a SIM registered on your Aadhaar, you can also approach your nearest cybercrime police station or file a complaint at https://cybercrime.gov.in
Via Online Complaint on Sanchar Saathi:
- Visit https://sancharsaathi.gov.in and navigate to “Report Suspected Fraud Communication” or “Citizen Complaint.”
- Fill in your details, the suspicious mobile number, and describe the nature of the complaint.
- Submit the form — DoT will forward the complaint to the relevant telecom operator and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for investigation.
- You will receive a complaint reference number — track the status using this number on the same portal.
DoT Regulation: Maximum SIM Connections Allowed Per Aadhaar
The Department of Telecommunications has set legal limits on the number of SIM connections a single individual can hold. These limits apply per operator and are enforced through the Aadhaar-linked KYC system:
| Category | Maximum Connections Allowed | Applicable Operator |
| General Indian Citizens | 9 SIMs per operator | All operators (Jio, Airtel, Vi, BSNL) |
| Residents of J&K, Assam & NE States | 6 SIMs per operator | All operators |
| Total across all operators | No fixed cap (per-operator limit applies) | Each operator separately |
Note: If TAFCOP shows more connections than you expected across all operators combined, some of them may have been activated fraudulently. Report them immediately.
Troubleshooting: Common Issues When Checking SIMs on Aadhaar
Here are solutions to the most common problems users face when using the TAFCOP portal or checking SIM registrations:
- TAFCOP portal not loading: The portal experiences high traffic at times. Try accessing it during off-peak hours — early morning or late evening — or clear your browser cache and try again. Using a different browser or switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data can also help.
- OTP not received: Ensure the mobile number you entered is active, has network signal, and is not set to DND (Do Not Disturb) for transactional messages. If the number is inactive, visit a telecom store or CSC for in-person assistance.
- Aadhaar-linked mobile number is lost or inactive: If you cannot receive OTP because your Aadhaar-linked number is no longer active, visit your nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra to update the mobile number first, then use TAFCOP.
- Disconnection request not actioned after 7 days: Log back into the TAFCOP portal and check the status of your complaint using the reference number. If still unresolved, escalate by calling the DoT helpline at 1800-110-420.
- Unfamiliar SIM still showing active: If a fraudulent SIM remains active despite your TAFCOP complaint, file a formal police complaint at the nearest cybercrime cell and at https://cybercrime.gov.in — provide the TAFCOP complaint reference number as evidence.
- TAFCOP shows fewer connections than expected: You may have connections registered under slightly different identity details at different operators. Contact individual operators to verify all connections under your name.
Conclusion
Checking how many SIM cards are registered on your Aadhaar is one of the most important digital safety steps every Indian citizen should take — and with the Government’s TAFCOP portal, it takes less than two minutes. In an age where SIM-based fraud, OTP theft, and identity misuse are increasingly common, knowing exactly which mobile numbers are tied to your Aadhaar gives you the power to act before any damage is done.
Make it a habit to check your Aadhaar-linked SIM connections every few months, report anything unfamiliar without delay, and disconnect numbers you no longer use. Your Aadhaar is your most important identity document — protect it with the same seriousness you would protect your bank account.
Santosh Kumar, the author behind IndiasStuffs.com, is passionate about sharing valuable insights on a variety of topics, including lifestyle, technology, and Indian culture.
Page Contents