The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced new rules to ease the pressure on mobile users who often forget to recharge their secondary SIM cards. As a result, the validity period of SIM cards offered by Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL will increase, allowing users to avoid frequent recharges and minimize expenses.
Jio SIM cards will now remain active for 90 days without any recharge, after which a reactivation plan is required. If the user doesn’t opt to recharge during the 90-day period, the SIM will be disconnected and reallocated to someone else. Airtel SIM cards, on the other hand, will remain active for more than 90 days without any recharge, followed by a 15-day grace period to reactivate the number. If the user fails to recharge during this period, the number will be closed and become available for a new user.
Vi SIM users will have a 90-day grace period without recharging, after which they need to recharge their number with a minimum plan of Rs 49 to keep it active. BSNL, on the other hand, is offering the longest validity period in India, with its SIM cards remaining active for 180 days without any recharge.
In a unique feature, users who have a prepaid balance of Rs 20 in their number will be given an additional 30-day extension if their SIM remains inactive for over 90 days. If the balance is insufficient, the SIM will be deactivated and made available for new users. These new rules are expected to provide relief to mobile users, allowing them to enjoy uninterrupted service without frequent recharges.