Good news for prepaid mobile users as telecom operators will now have to offer 30-day recharge plans, along with voice- and SMS-only options, under new consumer protection rules notified by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). While many monthly recharge plans were earlier valid for 28 days, the new rules introduce a 30-day validity option. The announcement comes months after Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha raised the issue in Parliament earlier this year.

In a post on X, BJP MP Raghav Chadha said he had raised the issue of prepaid users having to recharge 13 times a year because many monthly plans were valid for 28 days. He had also sought voice-only plans for consumers who do not use mobile data.

“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-day validity plans should be introduced," Chadha said, adding that he had called for 30-day validity plans.

What Did TRAI Say?

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has finalised the Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, mandating telecom operators to offer voice- and SMS-only special tariff vouchers (STVs) with different validity options. The revised rules include options with a validity of 30 days or less, as well as a plan that can renew on the same date each month.

Here are some key points:

- Telecom companies must offer voice-calling and SMS-only plans without requiring customers to pay for internet or data services.

- These plans can now have shorter validity periods, including 30 days or less.

- Companies can also offer a plan that renews on the same date every month.

- If a company offers a shorter-duration bundled plan, it must also provide a voice- and SMS-only version at a proportionately lower price.

- TRAI made these changes after consulting stakeholders, who submitted 1,132 responses.

This comes after the issue was raised by Chadha in the Rajya Sabha on March 11. According to Parliament records, he raised the need to address consumer concerns regarding telecom recharge practices and connectivity on that day.

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Chadha said the move would particularly help consumers who do not require data, including senior citizens and low-budget users who primarily need their phones for incoming and outgoing calls.

“Many consumers who do not want data but want voice-only plans or prepaid voice-only plans for incoming and outgoing facilities will be made available,” he said.

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TRAI's new rules build on its earlier framework for voice- and SMS-only packs. The regulator currently describes such packs as prepaid plans that provide voice and SMS services without data, intended for users who do not require internet services.