Bharti Airtel has quietly withdrawn its free Perplexity Pro AI subscription from prepaid mobile plans, affecting a large section of its user base. The move has come as a surprise to many customers, as the premium AI service was considered one of the most valuable digital benefits offered by the telecom operator.
Airtel clarified that the withdrawal was in line with the pre-declared terms of the offer, which was introduced as a limited-period promotion and has now formally expired.
Limited-Time AI Benefit Comes to an End
The Perplexity Pro subscription was rolled out by Airtel in 2025 as a promotional initiative, allowing users to experience advanced AI-powered search and research tools. The company had stated at the time that the benefit would be available only for a fixed duration.
The offer officially ended on January 16, 2026, following which Airtel stopped allowing new activations of the subscription.
Premium Digital Add-On Removed From Prepaid Plans
Perplexity Pro, which carries a market value of approximately ₹17,000 per year, was bundled free with select Airtel prepaid recharges. With the offer now withdrawn, the AI subscription is no longer included in any prepaid plans.
The removal has disappointed users who relied on the service for professional research, advanced queries, and productivity tasks, making it one of the most significant digital benefits Airtel has discontinued in recent times.
Existing Users to Continue Service
Airtel has provided relief to customers who activated the offer before the cut-off date. These users will continue to receive one full year of Perplexity Pro access from their respective activation dates. The company has confirmed that already active subscriptions will not be terminated mid-cycle.
Billing Required After Validity Period
Users who failed to activate the benefit before the deadline will no longer be eligible for free access. Additionally, existing users are being prompted to add billing details, as the subscription may automatically convert into a paid plan after the free period ends.
Airtel has advised users who do not wish to continue with the paid version to cancel the subscription in advance to avoid unintended charges.
