Are you also worried about the rising cost of mobile recharges? Or are you among those users who avoid mobile data due to Wi-Fi at home, yet are still forced to recharge with expensive data plans every month? If so, you may soon find relief. Telecom regulator TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) has introduced a draft that will ease the burden on your pocket.
With this new government plan, a recharge plan that costs ₹300 today may become available for ₹100 to ₹150 in the coming days. Let’s explore how these new, cheaper plans without data will work and which users will benefit the most.
TRAI has introduced a draft of the Telecommunications Consumer Protection Regulations, 2026, and has sought suggestions from telecom companies and the public.
Currently, companies like Airtel, Jio, and Vi offer plans with only calling and SMS for a very limited number of days. Consequently, users are forced to purchase expensive data plans.
TRAI’s plan is to ask users why they should pay for data if they don’t need it. According to the new proposal, if a company offers a data plan with a validity of 7, 28, 56, or 84 days, it will also be required to launch separate plans with only calling and SMS for the same number of days. This will give users complete freedom to choose a cheaper plan based on their needs.
Typically, data accounts for 50% to 70% of the total cost of any mobile plan. After the new rule comes into effect, the prices of calling plans could be reduced by more than half. For example, a plan that currently costs ₹300 can now be available for ₹100 to ₹150 for calling only.
If this plan is implemented, it will most benefit those who use two SIM cards, those who use keypad phones, and those who use Wi-Fi for internet.
TRAI has taken another major decision in this draft. Now, call management apps like Truecaller will not be able to auto-block calls coming from the 1600 and 140 series.
The 1600 series is reserved for banks, financial institutions like RBI, SEBI, and government agencies, so that important government or banking calls are not missed.
The 140 series is for promotional calls from companies, which customers can block themselves through the DND service, but apps will not be able to block them at will.