Is Your SIM Fake? Government’s New “ASTR” AI Will Block It Instantly (Check Now)

If you live in India and own a smartphone, your digital life is about to change. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has just escalated its war against cybercrime with a new weapon that is both fascinating and terrifying.

You’ve heard of the Sanchar Saathi portal. But you haven’t heard about its new “brain.”

In late 2025, the government integrated a powerful AI engine called ASTR (Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification) directly into the telecom network. Combined with the new “Chakshu” reporting tool, this system is no longer just checking lost phones—it is hunting down the millions of fake SIM cards that fuel India’s deepfake and cyber-fraud crisis.

This isn’t just an update; it’s a digital crackdown. Here is everything you need to know about the AI that might already be scanning your connection.

The “ASTR” Engine: How the AI Finds You

The core of this new crackdown is ASTR. It is not a standard database checker; it is a supercomputer-powered facial recognition system designed to spot what humans miss.

How ASTR Works (The 3-Step Trap):

1. The Photo Sweep: ASTR scans the passport-sized photos submitted for every SIM card in India (across all operators like Jio, Airtel, VI).
2. Facial Mapping: It uses advanced AI to map the facial features of every subscriber. It doesn’t care about your name; it cares about your face.
3. The Match & Destroy: It instantly cross-references your face against the entire database. If it finds that your face is linked to 50 different SIM cards under names like “Ramesh,” “Suresh,” and “Abdul,” it flags all of them as fraudulent.

The Result: In its pilot phase alone, ASTR analyzed 87 crore connections and identified 40.87 lakh fake SIMs. These were disconnected immediately. If you are using a SIM bought with fake papers, this AI will find you.

“Chakshu”: The Shield Against Deepfakes

While ASTR hunts fake SIMs, a new module called Chakshu (meaning “Eye”) has been deployed to fight the terrifying rise of AI deepfake scams.

Deepfake video calls—where scammers use AI to look like your family members or police officers—have cost Indians crores in 2025. Sanchar Saathi’s response is Chakshu.

• What it is: A real-time reporting intelligence platform.
• How it works: When you receive a suspected deepfake call or a fraudulent WhatsApp message, you report it on Chakshu. The system doesn’t just block the number; it feeds the data into the central AI.
• The AI Connection: If multiple users report a specific number pattern or video script, the AI identifies the “origin node”—often a bulk SIM farm—and triggers ASTR to disconnect the entire network of numbers associated with that fraudster.

The Viral Controversy: The “Pre-Install” Mandate

Why is everyone talking about Sanchar Saathi right now? Because of a controversial government directive issued in November 2025.

The DoT has directed smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new phones sold in India.

• The Government’s Stance: This is for your safety. It allows you to check if your phone is stolen (IMEI check) and report fraud instantly.
• The Privacy Concern: Critics argue that pre-installing a government app could lead to surveillance. However, the government has clarified that the app does not monitor passive data; it is a tool for citizens to access services like TAFCOP (checking connections in your name) and CEIR (blocking lost phones).

How to Check If Your ID Is Being Misused (Right Now)

You don’t need to wait for the AI to catch a fraudster using your ID. You can check it yourself in 2 minutes.

1. Go to the Portal: Visit sancharsaathi.gov.in.
2. Select TAFCOP: Scroll down to the module named “Know Your Mobile Connections” (TAFCOP).
3. Login: Enter your mobile number and the OTP.
4. The Reveal: The screen will show every single mobile number currently active under your Aadhaar/ID.
5. Action: If you see a number you don’t recognize, click “Not My Number” and “Report.” The government will block it within hours.

Conclusion: The End of Anonymity?

The integration of ASTR and Chakshu into Sanchar Saathi marks a turning point. For the honest citizen, it promises a future with fewer scam calls and deepfake threats. For the cybercriminal, it means the days of hiding behind a fake SIM are over.

The “Wild West” of India’s telecom sector is being tamed by AI. The only question is: Is your connection clean?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the main purpose of Sanchar Saathi?
It is a citizen-centric portal by the DoT to track lost phones, check mobile connections in your name, and report cyber fraud.

2. What is ASTR?
ASTR is an AI-powered facial recognition tool that detects SIM cards issued with fake documents by matching photos across the telecom database.

3. Can Sanchar Saathi detect deepfake videos on my phone?
Not directly on your screen yet. However, you can report deepfake calls via the “Chakshu” feature, which helps the government track and block the perpetrators.

4. Is the Sanchar Saathi app mandatory?
A recent directive mandates its pre-installation on new phones, but users of existing phones are not currently forced to install it, though it is highly recommended.

5. How do I check how many SIMs are in my name?
Use the TAFCOP module on the Sanchar Saathi website. Login with your number and OTP to see the full list.

6. What should I do if I find a fake number in my name?
Select the number on the TAFCOP portal, choose “This is not my number,” and click Report. It will be re-verified and disconnected.

7. Does Sanchar Saathi track my location?
The CEIR module tracks lost or stolen phones using IMEI numbers to help recover them. It does not track the location of regular, non-reported citizens.

8. What is the “Chakshu” facility?
It is a feature on Sanchar Saathi for reporting suspected fraud communications like sextortion, fake KYC calls, and impersonation scams.

9. Is my data safe on Sanchar Saathi?
The government claims the data is secure and used only for telecom verification. Critics have raised privacy concerns about the centralization of data.

10. Can this AI block spam calls?
Yes. By identifying and blocking the “super-spreaders” (fake SIMs used for bulk calling), ASTR significantly reduces the volume of spam calls at the source.

11. What is CEIR?
The Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) allows you to block your lost or stolen mobile phone so it cannot be used on any network in India.

12. How many SIM cards can one person have?
According to DoT rules, one individual can have up to 9 SIM cards in their name (6 in J&K, Assam, and North East).

13. What happens if I have more than 9 SIMs?
The system will trigger a re-verification. If you cannot justify the extra SIMs, they will be disconnected.

14. Can ASTR detect a SIM if I wore a disguise in the photo?
ASTR uses advanced facial landmarks (eyes, nose, jawline) that are difficult to hide with simple disguises like glasses or a beard change.

15. Is this only for India?
Yes, Sanchar Saathi is an initiative by the Government of India for Indian telecom subscribers.

16. How fast does the “Block Stolen Phone” feature work?
Once approved by the police/DoT, the IMEI is blocked within 24 hours across all Indian networks.

17. Can I unlock my phone if I find it later?
Yes, you can unblock your found phone using the same portal by submitting a request.

18. Why is the pre-install mandate controversial?
Privacy advocates worry that a mandatory government app could technically be used for surveillance, though no evidence of such misuse currently exists.

19. Does this stop WhatsApp fraud?
It helps. By blocking the fake SIMs needed to create anonymous WhatsApp accounts, it makes it much harder for scammers to operate.

20. Is the service free?
Yes, all services on the Sanchar Saathi portal are completely free for citizens.

SOURCES

1. https://sancharsaathi.gov.in
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