The Telecom Consumer Protection (Thirteenth Amendment) Regulations, issued on September 27, 2026, mandate that all operators launch 30‑day voice and SMS‑only Special Tariff Vouchers (STVs). The new framework reduces the number of monthly recharge cycles a typical user must purchase from 13 to 12, and requires operators to offer voice‑only STVs with validity periods shorter than 30 days.
Raghav Chadha first raised the issue on March 11, 2026, when he tabled a question in the Rajya Sabha asking the government to broaden prepaid options. He cited that many consumers rely solely on voice and SMS and are stuck with bundled data plans that push unnecessary costs.
TRAI chief director S. K. Sharma said in a press release that the amendment will "enhance consumer choice" and that operators must submit a compliance plan by October 15, 2026. The regulator also announced a five‑month transition period to allow service providers to adjust pricing structures.
For the 12‑year‑old son of a migrant worker in Uttar Pradesh, the new plan means he can keep his phone active for a full month without paying extra. Analysts estimate the change could cut annual prepaid spending by roughly ₹200 for low‑budget users.
The government will monitor rollout through quarterly audits, and a final review is scheduled for March 2027. Operators are already negotiating the technical rollout of the new STVs, with several telecom giants announcing pilot programs in the coming weeks.