Mobile users across India may face higher recharge costs in 2026. Leading telecom operators—Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi)—are expected to increase prices of both prepaid and postpaid plans by up to 20%. Several revised tariff proposals have been submitted to authorities, indicating that recharges could become significantly more expensive, especially for 5G users. The last major tariff hike in India occurred in July 2024.

Why Recharge Prices Are Rising

Research firm Morgan Stanley reports that Indian telecom companies plan to increase tariffs by 16–20% in 2026. This move aims to improve the average revenue per user (ARPU). The pattern of periodic price hikes has become a standard practice in the telecom sector, with the last increase taking place two years after the previous one.

How Much Will Airtel and Jio Plans Cost?

Estimates shared by social media user Kranti Kumar suggest:

• Airtel: The 28-day unlimited 5G plan may rise from ₹319 to ₹419.

• Jio: The ₹299 plan with 1.5GB daily data could increase to ₹359, while the ₹349 28-day 5G plan may rise to ₹429.

This could mean an additional ₹80–₹100 per month for users.

Vodafone Idea (Vi) Plans Will Also Be Affected

Vi’s prepaid plans are expected to become costlier as well:

• 28-day 1GB daily data plan may increase from ₹340 to ₹419.

• 56-day 2GB daily data plan could rise from ₹579 to ₹699.

Mid-range Vi plans are likely to see the most significant impact.

How Companies Increase Costs Beyond Direct Price Hikes

Telecom providers often raise costs indirectly by reducing plan validity or benefits rather than increasing the price alone. Recently, Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL have adjusted plan validity and benefits, forcing users to recharge more frequently to maintain the same services, effectively raising overall monthly expenses.