TRAI has directed telecom companies, including Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, to display special vouchers in a separate section for prepaid recharges. They must comply within 30 days.

If you use a prepaid number from Reliance Jio, Airtel, or Vodafone Idea and prefer to recharge only when needed, a significant change is about to happen. Now, when recharging your mobile, you won't need to browse multiple app menus or open different categories on your website to find the specific plan you're looking for. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed all telecom companies to place the recharge voucher section, as mandated by TRAI, in a separate and clearly visible section. This section should appear first within the prepaid recharge section.

While recharging, the first thing that will appear is 'Tri-mandated packs'.

According to TRAI 's directive dated October 1, 2026, all telecom service providers must create a separate section titled "TRAI-Mandated Packs" on their websites and mobile apps . Importantly, this tab must be the first option in the prepaid recharge section. These plans must also be prominently displayed at other exclusive sales outlets of the companies.

TRAI has given companies 30 days to comply with this directive. This means that companies will no longer be able to simply make these plans available, but will also need to make them easily accessible to customers.

After all, why did TRAI have to give this instruction?

According to TRAI, it received complaints from customers that mandatory recharge vouchers were not readily visible on websites and mobile apps. Following this, the regulator examined the websites and apps of various telecom companies. It found that in many cases, these vouchers were grouped into different categories or customers had to navigate through multiple pages and screens to find them.

This could directly impact customers who prefer more data or longer-term plans, rather than expensive recharges with limited services tailored to their needs. Providing easy access to these options is especially important for customers who only need calls and SMS.

TRAI states that the purpose of these mandatory vouchers is to provide customers with different tariff options, enabling them to make informed decisions based on their needs. Therefore, it's not enough just to have plans available; their information must also be clear and easily accessible.

Which recharge plans will be included in this?

It's important to understand one important point here: TRAI's new order doesn't impose any new recharge plans or new pricing. Its primary focus is to make the already mandated vouchers easily accessible to customers.

Under current regulations, every telecom service provider must offer at least one plan voucher, one special tariff voucher, and one combo voucher with a validity of 30 days. Additionally, at least one voucher must be renewable on the same date every month. If the same date is not available in a particular month, renewal is done on the last date of that month.

TRAI regulations also provide for separate special tariff vouchers for voice and SMS. These vouchers do not necessarily include data. This provides an option for customers who do not require mobile data and wish to keep their number active primarily for calls or SMS.

What will be the benefit to Jio, Airtel and Vi customers?

This change could have a major impact on the recharge experience. Currently, an app can display multiple data, unlimited, combo, entertainment, and other offers simultaneously. It's not always easy to access a specific category of plan.

Following the new directive, TRAI-mandated packs will have to be placed in a separate and prominent section. This will allow customers to directly navigate to that category and view the available options. This could be especially useful for users who don't need a lot of data or are looking for an affordable option that only includes calls and SMS.

TRAI has already clarified that telecom companies can offer plans with different tariffs and validity, but they have to provide information about the available plans to the customers in a transparent manner.

Will the recharge price or validity change?

No. This new directive does not mean that Jio, Airtel, or Vodafone Idea recharge prices will suddenly increase or decrease. Nor has TRAI introduced any new voucher categories through this order.

The main change is the visibility and search location of these plans . Companies will be required to prominently display the previously mandated vouchers in a separate “TRAI-Mandated Packs” section. They will also be required to submit a compliance report to TRAI within 30 days.

This means that in the future, it may become easier for prepaid users to compare recharge plans, especially those who choose a smaller or more limited recharge plan each month based on their needs.

FAQs

1. What new order has TRAI given for Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea?

TRAI has directed all telecom companies to create a separate and clear section titled "TRAI-Mandated Packs" in the prepaid recharge section of their websites and mobile apps. This section should be the first one visible.

2. Will this order make mobile recharge expensive or cheap?

No. The purpose of this directive is not to change the price of recharges, but to make the already mandatory TRAI voucher easily available and searchable for customers.

3. Which vouchers are mandatory under TRAI?

According to regulations, telecom companies must provide at least one plan voucher, one special tariff voucher, and one combo voucher with a validity of 30 days. Similarly, there is a provision to provide such vouchers with monthly renewals on the same date.