Stories
TRAI Mandates Separate Display for Recharge Packs: Find Cheaper Plans Easily!
- •TRAI has directed all telecom operators, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, to display mandated recharge plans in a separate, clearly visible section.
- •Operators must create a dedicated "TRAI-Mandated Packs" section as the first tab in their prepaid recharge sections on websites and apps, and prominently display them in retail stores.
- •The directive aims to help budget-conscious users, feature-phone owners, and rural customers easily find low-cost, voice-only, 30-day, and date-to-date renewal plans.
- •Mandated plans include 30-day validity plans, date-to-date renewal plans, and voice and SMS-only vouchers, with proportional pricing for voice-and-SMS-only options.
- •This change benefits users with a second SIM, older family members, feature-phone users, and anyone seeking consistent monthly renewal plans, making it easier to find suitable options without sifting through data-heavy plans.
Key Questions Answered
TRAI directed all mobile operators, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, to display all mandated recharge plans in a dedicated, clearly visible section titled "TRAI-Mandated Packs" on their websites, mobile apps, and retail stores within 30 days of the October 1, 2026 direction.
TRAI intervened after receiving consumer complaints and finding through its own reviews that mandated low-cost plans were buried under other categories or hidden several screens deep, making them difficult for budget-conscious users, feature-phone owners, and rural customers to find.
Operators must feature 30-day validity plans, date-to-date monthly renewal plans, voice and SMS-only vouchers without bundled data, and proportionally priced voice-and-SMS-only vouchers for every validity period that also offers data bundles.
