Blinkit-Airtel SIM home delivery on hold; DoT asks telcos to abide by stipulated KYC norms

Blinkit and Airtel have temporarily suspended SIM card home delivery services following stricter DoT KYC guidelines. The telecom department raised concerns about potential verification loopholes in doorstep delivery models. Both companies are working on enhanced video KYC solutions to comply with regulations. This affects Airtel's customer acquisition strategy that leveraged Blinkit's quick-commerce network for SIM distribution. The pause highlights regulatory challenges in India's digital onboarding ecosystem, especially for fintech and telecom services.