India’s telecom regulator has set out a wider choice of prepaid recharges for people who need calls and text messages but do not need mobile data. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s September 2026 amendment covers voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers, or STVs. These are prepaid packs without a mobile data allowance.
More choices for shorter recharges
Under a 2024 requirement, providers had to offer at least one voice-and-SMS-only voucher with validity of up to 365 days. TRAI says the options that followed were largely for longer periods, leaving fewer short-duration choices for people who did not want to pay for a data bundle.
Once the new amendment takes effect, a provider must offer a voice-and-SMS-only voucher corresponding to each validity period of 30 days or less for which it offers a bundled voice, SMS and data voucher. It must also offer an option renewable on the same date each month. If that date does not exist in a particular month, renewal falls on the month’s last day.
The rule also calls for at least one longer-validity voice-and-SMS-only option corresponding to a bundled voucher. It does not require a data-free counterpart for every longer-term bundle.
What it means for the price
TRAI directs providers to make an appropriate tariff reduction for the corresponding voice-and-SMS-only offers. The amendment does not prescribe a rupee price or guarantee that a data-free pack will be the best choice for every user.
Before recharging, compare the price, validity and call and SMS allowances in the plans your provider actually offers. TRAI’s consumer guidance confirms that voice-and-SMS-only packs do not include mobile data. Anyone who needs mobile data should account for that when comparing packs.
The amendment says it comes into force 30 days after publication in the Official Gazette. Its notification date alone should not be treated as the effective date.
