TRAI notified the Telecom Consumers Protection (13th Amendment) Regulations, 2026 on September 22, expanding the availability of voice‑and‑SMS‑only Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs) to include plans valid for 30 days or less and a voucher that renews on the same date each month.
The amendment also requires operators to offer corresponding voice‑and‑SMS‑only vouchers for bundled plans with shorter validity periods, with tariffs reduced appropriately to reflect the shorter duration.
Raghav Chadha, a Rajya Sabha MP, had earlier highlighted the absurdity of 28‑day monthly plans that force users to recharge 13 times a year, and the lack of voice‑only options for those who do not need data.
The consultation process attracted 1,132 responses from stakeholders, underscoring widespread demand for more flexible recharge options.
With the new framework, senior citizens and low‑budget users who rely primarily on calls can finally access affordable, data‑free plans that align with their needs, while operators can streamline their product offerings.