Almost every mobile user faces a very common problem: Need a calling only plan but have to do a data plan even when not required. That’s why recently TRAI suggested voice-only recharge plans in India but what happened? Jio, Airtel, Vi and every telecom company said a blunt NO.
But does it mean you can’t recharge with a voice-only recharge plan in India? The good news is that Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL offer voice-focused or Voice and SMS-only recharge options. How, what, why, all these answers you will get in this article. Keep reading.
I will also share my own experience of what I do when I need a voice only recharge plan and what is the best option available for you in the market.
Update: TRAI NEW RULES MADE IT MANDATORY VOICE ONLY PLANS AT AFFORDABLE PRICE. READ BELOW CAREFULLY.
Voice-Only Recharge Plans From Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL
If you are looking for a voice-only recharge plan without data, these are the main options currently available from the major telecom operators.:
Note: Plan availability and pricing can vary by telecom circle, particularly for Vi and BSNL. This is an updated list up to Oct. 2026 but still, kindly confirm with your telecom operator.
What Is a Voice-Only Mobile Plan?
A voice-only mobile plan is a prepaid recharge that provides calling and SMS benefits without mobile data. These plans are primarily for people who don't need internet access on their phones.
You can still use Wi-Fi on your phone. The difference is that the SIM's recharge does not provide a regular mobile-data allowance. However, some Jio and Airtel plans come with minimal data that makes the plan quite affordable as discussed below.
But if you already have Wi-Fi at home and only use your SIM for calls and SMS, a voice-only plan may be enough for you.
Jio Voice Only Recharge Plans
Jio currently has two Voice and SMS-only plans: ₹448 for 84 days and ₹1,748 for 336 days.
- The ₹448 plan provides unlimited voice calling and 1,000 SMS for 84 days, while the ₹1,748 plan provides unlimited calling and 3,600 SMS for 336 days.
Neither plan includes a regular mobile-data allowance.
The ₹448 option can be useful if you only want a few months of calling and SMS. While ₹1,748 non voice plan is best for people who use phones for basic calling purposes only like elderly people. Recharge once a month in a year and you are good to go (I know it is for 11 months!)
Airtel Voice-Only Recharge Plans
Airtel currently has two Voice and SMS-only options: ₹469 for 84 days and ₹1,849 for 365 days.
- The ₹469 plan provides unlimited calling and 900 SMS for 84 days without mobile data.
- The ₹1,849 plan provides unlimited calling and 3,600 SMS for 365 days, again without a data allowance.
Airtel yearly non-voice recharge plan here is slightly cheaper than Jio. Jio per day cost is ₹5.20 while Airtel cost ₹5.06. This is not a big difference but as a customer you should know that.
Vi Voice-Only Recharge Plans
Vi also offers calling-only plans, although the available options can vary depending on your telecom circle.
One current option is ₹470 for 84 days with unlimited calling and 900 SMS without mobile data. Vi also has longer-validity calling-focused options in some circles.
This is why you should check the plan available for your particular Vi number before recharging. A plan that appears in one circle may not necessarily be available in another.
BSNL Voice-Only Recharge Plans
BSNL voice only recharge plans come as vouchers. The cheapest BSNL plan is ₹99 which has unlimited voice and STD calling for 14 days. Another plan is ₹439 voice voucher that is unlimited voice calling & 30 SMS for 80 days.
Both recharges look cheaper at first instance especially ₹99 but you compare per day cost, it is among the most expensive that too with poor networks!
BSNL's plan catalogue can change between circles, so it is better to check the current BSNL Selfcare options before making a recharge.
You may also come across older articles mentioning a 90-day validity for the ₹439 plan. That information is outdated because the validity was later reduced to 80 days.
My Personal Choice for Calling-Only Recharge Plan (What I Actually Use)
If you mainly need a SIM for calling, my personal choice has been Jio ₹189 recharge for a long time. You will get unlimited calling for 28 days with 2GB data so you can use occasional data.
I use this plan when I have WiFi at my home or when I use my phone as a secondary device. However, this exact plan is copied by Airtel also that offers unlimited calling and 2GB data at ₹199.
It is not a completely data-free plan. But the small amount of data can be useful when you need the internet occasionally. If you mainly need calling, you may find it more practical than a regular plan with a lot of data.
However, the right choice depends on your usage and the plans available for your number at the time of recharge. I shared my personal experience that may be helpful to you.
Also see: Jio and Airtel added millions of subscribers in August 2026, according to the latest TRAI data.
TRAI Makes Voice-Only Plans Mandatory From 21 October 2026
On 22 September 2026, TRAI made it mandatory for telecom operators to offer more Voice and SMS-only recharge plans. From 21 October 2026, operators will have to offer Voice and SMS-only plans corresponding to their Voice+SMS+Data plans with validity of 30 days or less. They will also have to offer a longer-validity Voice and SMS-only plan corresponding to their longer-validity bundled plans.
Under new Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, 2026, operators have to provide Voice-and-SMS-only Special Tariff Vouchers (STV) for shorter validity periods, including plans valid for 30 days or less. Source: [PIB/Ministry of Communication]
The important part for customers is that these plans should also have a lower tariff because they do not include data. Earlier, TRAI proposed that telecom operators should also offer a corresponding Voice and SMS-only option for that validity period as data plans.
Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea have raised objections to TRAI's proposal to expand Voice and SMS-only options across different validity periods. Source: TRAI stakeholder submissions [EconomicTimes].
Can I Use a Voice-Only Plan on My Second SIM?
Yes, a voice-only plan can be useful for a second SIM when your main SIM already provides mobile data.
For example, you could have one SIM that you use for WhatsApp, UPI, internet and regular calls, while your second SIM is mainly used for calls and SMS.
In that situation, you may not need a data allowance on both SIMs. This is one of the simplest situations where a voice-only recharge can make sense.
Does a Voice-Only Plan Include SMS?
Yes, most Voice only recharge plans include a fixed SMS allowance like 300 SMS for a month, but the number of SMS depends on the operator and plan.
For example, Jio's ₹448 plan includes 1,000 SMS, while its ₹1,748 plan includes 3,600 SMS. Airtel's ₹469 plan includes 900 SMS, while its ₹1,849 plan includes 3,600 SMS.
This is worth checking if you use your number for OTPs, banking messages or occasional SMS. Don't assume that unlimited calling also means unlimited SMS.
Can I Use the Internet With a Voice-Only Plan?
No. A Voice and SMS-only plan does not include regular mobile data. However, you can still connect your phone to Wi-Fi and use the internet normally when Wi-Fi is available.
If you need mobile internet while you are away from Wi-Fi, you may need a separate data add-on or another plan, depending on your operator.
Does a Voice-Only Plan Keep My SIM Active?
Yes, a voice-only plan can keep your SIM active during its validity period. But you should not assume that your SIM will stay active forever after the plan expires.
For example, if your plan is valid for 84 days, you get the plan's calling and SMS benefits for those 84 days.
After that, your SIM does not necessarily stop working immediately. Your operator has separate rules for what happens when a number is not used for a long time.
If you are keeping an important number, don't assume that one recharge will keep it active forever. How long your SIM can stay active without recharge depends on the applicable non-usage rules.
What Should You Check Before Recharging?
Before buying a voice-only recharge plan, check the validity, calling benefits, SMS allowance and whether the plan actually includes no mobile data. Also check whether the plan is available for your particular telecom circle.
This is especially important for Vi and BSNL because their available plans can differ depending on the circle. Recharge prices and plans can also change, so always verify the current details in your operator's app or website before paying.
You don't necessarily need to buy a data-inclusive plan if you only need calling and SMS. Voice and SMS-only plans already exist for major telecom operators, although the available prices and validity periods are different.
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