Access the press release here.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has disconnected over 88 lakh mobile connections that failed mandatory re-verification. An AI and big data analytics system flagged these numbers. Union Minister of State for Communications Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani reported this in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, noting it as one of several steps to combat telecom-enabled cyber fraud.
The tool: ASTR: ASTR is an in-house DoT tool that uses artificial intelligence and big data analytics to identify potentially fraudulent, forged, or non-compliant telecom connections. It scans subscriber and usage patterns across networks and refers flagged connections to telecom operators for re-verification. Connections that do not pass re-verification are disconnected.
ASTR is not a new system. The DoT introduced it alongside the Sanchar Saathi portal, launched by Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in May 2023 as part of three linked reforms. The other reforms included the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), which blocks stolen or lost handsets, and the Know Your Mobile Connections feature, which allows subscribers to view all SIM cards issued in their name. A dedicated Sanchar Saathi mobile app was launched in January 2025 and later made available in Hindi and 21 regional languages. The app has surpassed 46 lakh downloads.
The initiative has faced controversy. A November 2025 DoT order requiring handset makers to preload the Sanchar Saathi app on all phones sold in India drew criticism over surveillance and privacy concerns, leading to the mandate being withdrawn.
Citizen reports add another 50.90 lakh disconnections: The Chakshu facility on the government’s Sanchar Saathi portal allows citizens to report suspected fraudulent calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages. As of July 15, 2026, 11.18 lakh reports had resulted in the disconnection of 50.90 lakh mobile connections. The DoT has clarified that it does not act on individual complaints alone. Instead, it aggregates crowd-sourced data to identify broader patterns of misuse before ordering disconnections.
Data sharing with other agencies: The DoT has developed the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP) to enable two-way data exchange with other government agencies. The platform facilitates information sharing with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the nodal agency for cybercrime. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is also connected to the system and has instructed its regulated entities to use the DIP to monitor telecom-related securities fraud.
The DoT provides stakeholders with a Mobile Number Revocation List and a Financial Fraud Risk Indicator. In turn, stakeholders submit action-taken reports and report additional suspicious numbers.
Wider context: The 88 lakh figure is part of a broader, ongoing disconnection drive. According to government data presented in Parliament…
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