TRAI’s New Rule Lets You Extend SIM Validity for ₹20/Month

In a major relief for mobile users, especially people who forget to charge their second SIM card, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has come up with new rules for that. The new guidelines are aimed at stopping the SIM cards of Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL from becoming invalid and allowing for long durations without extending it further with recharges, ultimately saving the users their hard-earned money and also trouble.

TRAI’s New Rule Extends SIM Validity for ₹20/Month: What This Means for Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL

Without the recharge, the Jio number will remain active for 90 days. After the grace period, they need to select a reactivation plan to keep their SIM. Incoming call services during these 90 days can only be received on the basis of the last recharge, so it can be after a few days, a month, and even a week. If no recharge is made within this timeframe, the SIM will be permanently disconnected and reallocated to another customer.

The SIM cards from Airtel remain valid for more than 90 days without being recharged. After five months, users are given a 15-day grace period to reactivate their SIM. If they do not recharge during this grace period the number will be deactivated and opened up for new customers. A similar 90-day waiver without recharge for Vi users. But if they want to keep their number at any point after this, they will have to recharge with a base plan of ₹49.

BSNL, the government-owned telecom provider, offers the longest validity of 180 days without a recharge. This makes BSNL a good option for users who are trying to avoid multiple recharges. Additionally, if a SIM has been inactive for more than 90 days but the user still has a balance of ₹20, the amount will be deducted to extend the SIM’s activation for another 30 days. If there’s insufficient balance, the SIM will be deactivated and reassigned to another user. These changes aim to offer more flexibility and convenience for users across India.

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