New Delhi, March 1: Instant messaging users across India must now keep their registered SIM cards inside their mobile devices to maintain access to apps like Signal and Telegram. The central government today announced that the SIM-binding rule is officially in effect as of March 1, 2026, marking a significant shift in how digital communication platforms operate within the country.
The regulation ends the era of “OTP-only” logins, where a messaging account could remain functional on a device long after the SIM card was discarded or moved. The new system requires the application to verify that the active SIM card matches the account number at all times.
If the SIM card is missing or the number is disconnected, the app will cease to work immediately. Authorities affirmed that this ensures a higher level of accountability for digital accounts. “It is now mandatory for the application to run within a mobile containing an active SIM,” a government spokesperson maintained.
Web and computer desktop users are also facing more rigorous access requirements. To prevent unauthorized long-term access, the government has mandated that web sessions expire after six hours. Once a session times out, users must re-verify their identity by scanning a QR code with their primary mobile device.
Technical experts noted that these updates aim to curb the misuse of accounts on secondary devices. “The verification process will be constant to ensure the number being used is real and physically present,” a departmental brief stated.
