It's a whole lot easier to acquire a cellphone connection today than it was, say, two decades ago.

However, getting a new connection just got a little more complicated. In a recent incident, an imposter acquired not one but four pre-paid cellular connections in the name of the police commissioner of Mumbai!

The identity verification process for getting a new cell phone connection has now been tightened. The new process includes submitting certain documents when applying for a connection. The idea is not to slow down the application process but to verify your identity and to foil any attempt at misuse.

According to a directive from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, subscription to a new cellular connection can be obtained only after submitting the following details.

PAN (Permanent Account Number)/ GIR No (General Index Register Number)

A PAN issued by the Income Tax Department comprises of 10 alphanumeric characters. In order to apply for a cellular connection, it is now mandatory to quote your PAN. If your PAN application is being processed, then you can quote your GIR number as allotted to you by your assessing officer.

If you do not possess either, then you need to fill Form No 60 of Income Tax Rules, 1962, which is available with the cellular company. Copies of any of the following documents should be provided to support the address mentioned in this form. 

• Ration Card
• Driving Licence
• Voter Identity Card
• Passport
• Identity card issued by any institution
• Electricity bill
• Telephone bill
• Any document issued by the Central Government, State Government, local bodies or any authority that carries your residential address.
• Any other document that supports this address

Proof of identity

A photo identity card issued by any institution (other than a school or college).

A copy of your PAN Card can also be submitted.

Proof of address

Any of the following documents can be submitted as evidence of residential address.

• Ration Card
• Leave and License agreement 
• Bank statement
• Paid telephone or electricity bill 
• Credit card statement
• Employers certificate

Except for the first two, all other documents should be recently dated.

Photograph

A recent passport size photograph must be submitted along with the documents.

For outstation subscribers

In case of an outstation subscriber, the name and address of a local reference need to be made available. In addition to this, a photo identity card, proof of residence and details of the duration of your stay should also be submitted.

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