The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced new regulations to enhance flexibility in prepaid mobile recharge options. These changes mandate telecom operators like Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea to provide prepaid users with more diverse plans, including 30-day options and voice-and-SMS-only packages.
According to the Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, these operators must offer voice-and-SMS-only plans with validity periods of 30 days or less, alongside existing bundled plans. Additionally, monthly plans will now renew on the same date each month, or on the last day if that date does not exist in a particular month.
TRAI’s new rules also require the availability of at least one voice-and-SMS-only plan with a longer duration that aligns with the validity of existing data-bundled plans. This initiative primarily targets customers who predominantly use their phones for calls and messages, without the need for mobile data, offering a more cost-effective alternative.
This regulatory move follows previous directions issued by TRAI in December 2024, aimed at expanding voice-and-SMS-only options across various validity periods. The regulator observed that telecom operators had not fully implemented these options, prompting the current mandate.
The introduction of these new plans is expected to provide consumers, including senior citizens and those seeking more economical options, with greater flexibility and choice. By expanding the range of prepaid plans, TRAI aims to better cater to the diverse needs of mobile users in India.