Prepaid mobile users will get more flexible recharge options, including 30-day plans and voice-and-SMS-only packs, under the Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026 notified by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on September 22.
“Raised issue in Parliament”
Today, TRAI has fulfilled that demand as well,” he said. The amendment notified by the TRAI directed telecom operators including Airtel, Jio and Vodafone Idea to offer a wider range of voice and SMS-only recharge plans, giving customers who don’t need mobile data more affordable options. “This means that you will be charged only for the services you actually need. There are many senior citizens and low-budget consumers who only want voice-only plans with incoming and outgoing facilities. This is a perfect example of constructive politics.”
Welcoming the move, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Raghav Chadha said it will address two concerns he had raised in Parliament, including the 28-day recharge cycle and the lack of affordable plans for consumers who do not use mobile data. Every telecom company was instructed to offer voice-and-SMS-only plans for every validity period of 30 days or less that matches a regular voice-SMS-data plan they already offer.
“I am happy to inform you that the Government of India has accepted all these demands, and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has issued the Telecom Consumer Protection Regulations, 2026,” Chadha said in a post on X. Chadha said the provision would particularly benefit senior citizens and low-budget consumers who primarily use their phones for calls. Calling the development an example of “ constructive politics ”, he said, “An MP raised a demand of the people in Parliament, people supported it, liked it and shared it and today the government has fulfilled that demand of all of you.
