The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has directed Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea to prominently display low-cost mandatory recharge plans and special tariff vouchers on their websites, mobile apps and exclusive outlets — and to comply within 30 days of its October 1 direction.
Under the Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, the operators must provide a separate, clearly visible tab titled "TRAI-Mandated Packs" containing the regulator-mandated vouchers. The tab must appear as the first tab in the prepaid recharge section of their websites and mobile apps, and be prominently displayed at other exclusive points of sale.
Why the regulator acted
TRAI said it acted after receiving complaints from consumers and after its own examination found that mandated vouchers were buried under different categories or required customers to navigate through multiple pages and screens. In several cases, the vouchers were neither displayed prominently nor easily accessible, the regulator said.
Voice and SMS-only vouchers
Earlier this year, TRAI had also mandated telecom operators to issue special tariff vouchers (STVs) exclusively for voice calls and SMS at lower cost, without bundled data. Every operator must offer at least one plan voucher, one Special Tariff Voucher and one combo voucher with a validity of thirty days. The rules are aimed at helping people in rural areas and customers with low paying capacity, who rely on voice and SMS rather than data-heavy packs.
Sources:
TRAI in October 2026 notification to Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone-Idea — The Times of India
Under the Telecom Consumers Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, the operators must provide a separate, clearly visible tab titled "TRAI-Mandated Packs" containing the regulator-mandated vouchers. The tab must appear as the first tab in the prepaid recharge section of their websites and mobile apps, and be prominently displayed at other exclusive points of sale.
Why the regulator acted
TRAI said it acted after receiving complaints from consumers and after its own examination found that mandated vouchers were buried under different categories or required customers to navigate through multiple pages and screens. In several cases, the vouchers were neither displayed prominently nor easily accessible, the regulator said.
Voice and SMS-only vouchers
Earlier this year, TRAI had also mandated telecom operators to issue special tariff vouchers (STVs) exclusively for voice calls and SMS at lower cost, without bundled data. Every operator must offer at least one plan voucher, one Special Tariff Voucher and one combo voucher with a validity of thirty days. The rules are aimed at helping people in rural areas and customers with low paying capacity, who rely on voice and SMS rather than data-heavy packs.
Sources:
TRAI in October 2026 notification to Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone-Idea — The Times of India
