Indigenous AI 'ASTR' Blocks Over 82 Lakh Fake SIMs Through Advanced Cybersecurity Measures

India’s telecom sector is effectively fighting fake SIM card fraud with the help of an indigenous artificial intelligence and big data analytics tool named ASTR, developed by the Department of Telecommunications. According to Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Dr. Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, more than 82 lakh mobile connections have been disconnected after failing to clear ASTR’s re-verification process, which identifies multiple SIMs issued under different names but linked to the same individual.

Cybercrime regulation and coordination fall under the Ministry of Home Affairs, which has set up the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center (I4C) as a framework to assist law enforcement agencies in tackling cyber offenses from a unified platform. Additionally, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) enables citizens to report cybercrimes easily; complaints have steadily risen from 10.29 lakh in 2022 to 22.68 lakh in 2024.

ASTR plays a critical role by analyzing huge datasets to detect fraudulent SIM registrations and prevent misuse of telecommunications for cyber fraud. Alongside, the Department of Telecommunications has implemented a robust Know Your Customer (KYC) framework for issuing mobile connections, seeking to ensure authenticity and prevent illegal SIM issuance.

The issuance of SIM cards is regulated under strict guidelines requiring telecom licensees to register their Points of Sale (PoS). These PoS undergo biometric verification, physical address verification, and surveillance within a controlled supply chain management system. Violations can lead to punitive actions such as contract termination and blacklisting of PoS across all telecom service providers.

This combined approach of indigenous AI surveillance, strong KYC protocols, and coordinated cybercrime efforts is helping India clamp down on fake SIM cards and the cyber frauds they enable, enhancing the security and integrity of telecom networks nationwide.