Prepaid mobile users in India are set to get more flexible recharge options following the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026.
The new framework expands the availability of Voice-and-SMS-only tariff vouchers across different validity periods, including options corresponding to 30-day and shorter bundled plans, as well as plans renewable on the same date every month.Welcoming the development, MP Raghav Chadha said the changes would provide greater choice and convenience to prepaid consumers, particularly those who do not require mobile data and those looking for lower-cost options.“Good news for prepaid mobile users in India,” Chadha said in a post on X.
He said the changes would mean 30-day recharge options, reducing the need for consumers relying on 28-day cycles to recharge 13 times a year, while also expanding Voice-and-SMS-only choices for users who primarily need basic calling services.Chadha said many consumers had earlier approached him with concerns over limited and inflexible recharge options.
He added that he had raised the issue in Parliament on March 11, seeking greater choice and more affordable options for telecom consumers.He thanked the Government of India and TRAI for addressing the concerns, saying the changes would benefit consumers by offering greater flexibility and convenience.
TRAI officially released the Thirteenth Amendment Regulations on September 22 after a consultation process that began in April. According to the regulator, the amendment is aimed particularly at addressing the limited availability of affordable, shorter-duration Voice-and-SMS-only plans.
TRAI said the revised framework would give low-income consumers more options to recharge according to their requirements and financial capacity.