Overview
- The Department of Telecommunications is holding to a 1 March deadline after a 90‑day window, with Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia signaling no relaxation of the mandate.
- Messaging platforms must ensure each account works only with the physically present registered SIM, placing the app in limited mode or stopping it if the SIM is absent.
- WhatsApp and Telegram Web sessions are expected to auto-expire every six hours, requiring a fresh QR scan, and linked-device use will face far tighter re-verification than the current 14‑day window.
- Noncompliant apps risk legal action, fines and potential technical blocking, according to government warnings.
- The changes will disrupt users who run one number across multiple devices or travel without the registered SIM, with reports warning of 60–80% operational impact for small businesses.