New mobile recharge rules announced by TRAI

Prepaid mobile users will have more recharge options under a new consumer protection framework notified by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), with the changes covering both plan validity and voice-and-SMS-only services. The new rules provide for greater availability of voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs), including plans valid for 30 days or less. They also provide for a plan that can renew on the same date every month. The changes were highlighted by Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha, who said they addressed concerns he had raised in Parliament earlier this year. His concerns included the 28-day validity offered on several monthly prepaid plans and the lack of voice-only options for consumers who do not require mobile data.

TRAI notified the Telecom Consumers Protection (13th Amendment) Regulations, 2026 on September 22. Under the amended framework, telecom service providers will have to expand the availability of voice-and-SMS-only STVs. These will include options with a validity of 30 days or less. The framework also provides for a voucher that can renew on the same date each month. Another change relates to shorter-duration plans. Where bundled plans are offered for shorter validity periods, telecom service providers will also have to provide corresponding voice-and-SMS-only vouchers. The tariff for these vouchers will have to be reduced appropriately. The new regulations follow a consultation process in which 1,132 responses were received from stakeholders.

Chadha had earlier questioned why prepaid users were effectively required to recharge 13 times a year when a year has 12 months. He had pointed to the 28-day validity of many monthly plans and sought the introduction of 30-day validity options. “There are 12 months in a year, but prepaid users have to recharge 13 times. Why is there a monthly recharge of 28 days? 30-days validity plans should be introduced” Chadha said, adding that he had called for 30-day validity plans. The issue of plan choice also extended to consumers who use their phones primarily for calls and do not need mobile data. Chadha had sought voice-only prepaid plans for such users, including options that support incoming and outgoing calls.

The amended framework expands the availability of voice-and-SMS-only STVs. These are prepaid plans that provide voice and SMS services without data and are intended for consumers who do not require internet services, according to TRAI's existing description of such packs. Chadha said the availability of these options would particularly help people who do not need data services, including senior citizens and low-budget users who mainly use their phones for calls. “Many consumers who do not want data but want voice-only plans, prepaid voice-only plans for incoming and outgoing facilities will be made available,” he said. Chadha linked the regulatory changes to the concerns he had raised in Parliament and said the development showed how issues raised by elected representatives, when supported by the public, could lead to regulatory action. “I think this is a perfect example of constructive politics,” he said, adding that he hoped similar efforts would continue to address what he described as the “real problems” faced by people.