In a draft notification dated June 24, 2025, the Department of Telecommunication proposed an Mobile Number Verification (MNV) platform to help authorized entities verify phone numbers used in KYC and digital transactions, aiming to curb rising fraud in banking and payments.
The proposed MNV platform will allow entities to confirm if a mobile number is valid and registered with a licensed telecom provider—ensuring secure UPI and digital transactions.
Designed to enhance security, the platform will flag or reject transactions involving potentially fraudulent phone numbers.
Verification Requests Now Fall Under TIUE Framework with Tiered Pricing Structure
New rules classify mobile number-based service providers as Telecommunication Identifier User Entities (TIUEs). Banks, digital wallets, insurance firms, and other non-telecom platforms fall under this category due to their reliance on mobile numbers for authentication.
Government entities and telecom licensees to pay ₹1.5 per validation; other users will be charged ₹3 per request.
The pricing model is designed to promote responsible use of user identity data and prevent misuse of telecom resources.
Public and industry stakeholders have 30 days from the draft’s release to submit feedback, as DoT underscores the role of consultation in its rule-making process.
Sources say a major bank has started testing the MNV platform, using it to identify and flag mobile numbers linked to repeated fraud. These numbers are then deactivated for 90 days, after which their fraud history is automatically cleared to protect future users.
India’s fight against digital identity fraud is evolving, with a new focus on monitoring mobile number usage patterns and requiring platforms to validate and report fraud in real time.
