New Delhi: In a major effort to curb cybercrime and financial fraud, the Government of India has disconnected more than 61 lakh suspected mobile connections as of July 15, 2026. According to the government, the action was taken on the basis of 11.18 lakh reports of suspected fraudulent communications submitted by citizens through the Sanchar Saathi portal. In addition, more than 88 lakh mobile connections that failed the re-verification process have also been disconnected using artificial intelligence (AI) and big data analytics.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Communications Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani said that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has developed ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics Tool) to identify suspicious mobile connections used in cyber fraud. The AI-powered platform analyses telecom data to detect fake, fraudulent, or non-compliant mobile connections.
The minister stated that, through ASTR, more than 8.8 million mobile connections that failed the re-verification process had been disconnected by July 15, 2026. The government believes that a significant number of cybercrimes, online financial frauds, fake call centre operations, and digital scams are facilitated through such mobile connections.
He noted that, under the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961, matters relating to cybercrime fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), while Police and Public Order remain State subjects. Nevertheless, the Department of Telecommunications has been actively developing technological solutions to prevent the misuse of telecom resources for cyber-enabled crimes.
As part of these efforts, the DoT has established the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), which enables two-way information sharing among stakeholders, including the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The platform is designed to facilitate the timely identification and prevention of the misuse of telecom resources in cybercrime and financial fraud.
The government also informed Parliament that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has advised its regulated entities to onboard the Digital Intelligence Platform. The Department of Telecommunications has conducted multiple awareness and training sessions, and more than 50 SEBI-regulated entities have already joined the platform, enabling faster sharing of intelligence related to suspicious financial activities.
Highlighting the expansion of India’s telecommunications infrastructure, the minister said that 5G services have now been rolled out across all States and Union Territories, covering 99.9% of the country’s districts. Over the past three years, the number of 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) has increased from 140,623 as of March 31, 2023, to 562,971 as of June 30, 2026, reflecting the rapid expansion of digital connectivity nationwide.
He further stated that, under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), 136 research and development projects had been approved as of June 30, 2026, with sanctioned funding of nearly ₹543 crore. These projects focus on advanced technologies, including 6G, quantum communication, satellite and non-terrestrial networks, optical systems, indigenous 5G core technology, and telecom security.
The government also provided an update on the BharatNet programme. Out of the planned 265,014 Gram Panchayats across the country, 214,912 Gram Panchayats have already been connected under BharatNet Phase I and Phase II. Additionally, 13,494 Gram Panchayats had been upgraded under the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) by June 2026 to provide high-speed internet services in rural areas.
Cybercrime and financial fraud expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that cybercriminals frequently misuse fake mobile connections, SIM cards, and fraudulent digital identities to carry out financial scams. He noted that AI-based detection systems, combined with real-time information sharing among government agencies, can significantly strengthen efforts to combat organised cybercrime and prevent large-scale financial fraud.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
