Keeping your SIM card active in 2025 isn’t as cheap as it used to be. With telecom operators revising their tariffs every few months, even basic recharges now pinch the pocket. Reliance Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi), and BSNL have all updated their entry-level plans, but the cheapest way to stay connected depends on which SIM you use.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the lowest recharge plans from each operator in 2025—and which one gives you the most value for money.
Reliance Jio: Minimum Plan at ₹189
Jio’s cheapest plan to keep your number active costs ₹189 with a 28-day validity. It includes:
- Unlimited calls
- 300 SMS
- 2GB of total data
On top of that, you also get access to JioTV, JioCinema (non-premium), and JioCloud. It’s not the absolute cheapest plan out there, but among private operators, Jio stays fairly competitive.
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Airtel: Entry-Level Plan at ₹199
Airtel’s minimum recharge comes in at ₹199 for 28 days. It offers:
- Unlimited voice calls
- 100 SMS per day
- 2GB total data
Compared to Jio, Airtel costs a bit more but has the advantage of a higher daily SMS limit—useful if you’re someone who texts often.
Vodafone Idea (Vi): Starting from ₹99
Vi is a mixed bag depending on where you live. In some circles, you’ll find a ₹99 plan that gives you:
- 200MB data
- ₹99 talktime
- Validity of 15 days
- No SMS (except for port-out requests to 1900)
In other regions, the lowest plan is ₹155, which stretches validity but still offers fewer benefits than Jio or Airtel. So yes, Vi technically has the cheapest private-operator recharge, but it’s not as practical if you need data or SMS.
BSNL: Still the Cheapest
When it comes to pure affordability, BSNL wins hands down. The ₹59 plan gives you:
- 7 days validity
- Unlimited calls
- 1GB data per day
If you want something longer, the ₹99 plan offers 17 days of unlimited calling (but no extra data or SMS).
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Which Plan Should You Pick?
- For lowest cost, BSNL’s ₹59 recharge is unbeatable—though you’ll need to top up every week.
- For a full month validity, Jio’s ₹189 plan is slightly cheaper than Airtel’s ₹199 option.
- Airtel works better if you send lots of SMS.
- Vi’s ₹99 recharge looks cheap on paper but doesn’t offer much beyond basic talktime.
At the end of the day, it comes down to how you actually use your SIM—calls, SMS, or data. If you just want to keep the number alive, BSNL or Vi might do. But for a smoother overall experience, Jio and Airtel’s entry-level plans are safer bets.
