Updated September 27, 2025
Reliance Jio has quietly discontinued its popular Rs 249 prepaid plan as of August 18, offering 1 GB of data per day for 28 days – a plan widely seen as the most basic and affordable choice for many of its subscribers. This strategic move affects millions of budget-conscious users and signals a significant shift in India’s telecom pricing landscape.
The Sudden Disappearance of India’s Most Popular Budget Plan
If you’ve been trying to recharge with Jio’s Rs 249 plan recently, you’re not alone in your frustration. The company now no more offers any prepaid plan that comes with 1GB of daily data online. The Rs 249 plan was the last of them.
With this change, the most affordable option now available on Jio’s website is the Rs 299 plan offering 1.5 GB per day for 28 days, effectively raising the minimum monthly cost for Jio users by Rs 50. What might seem like a small increase actually represents a 20% jump in monthly expenses for millions of users.
What the Rs 249 Plan Offered
Before its removal, the Rs 249 plan provided:
- 1GB daily data (28GB total)
- 28 days validity
- Unlimited voice calls across networks
- 100 SMS per day
- Free access to JioTV, JioCinema, and JioCloud
Why Jio Made This Bold Move Now
The ARPU Strategy Behind the Decision
This is a move to boost the ARPU of the company in the near future. This would be hampering the average revenue per user (ARPU) growth for Jio. Thus, the telecom operator may have decided to remove the plan on this basis.
Brokerage JM Financial estimates that nearly 20–25 per cent of Jio’s users were on the 1 GB/day plan. Migrating them to higher-priced packs could raise Jio’s average revenue per user (ARPU) by Rs 11 to 13 a month, or 67 per cent, and boost Reliance Industries’ FY27 earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) by Rs 1,900 to 2,200 crore.
The 5G Push Factor
Industry experts suggest that Jio’s decision to discontinue the Rs 249 Jio plan is linked to its Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) strategy. While overall data consumption in India has surged, much of this growth is driven by 5G usage. Lower-end 4G users, who typically opted for the Rs 249 plan, contributed less to ARPU growth.
Impact on Different User Groups
Students and Low-Income Users Hit Hardest
These plans were highly popular among students, working professionals, and budget users. Budget Users: Students and low-income groups face higher monthly expenses.For someone earning minimum wage, an extra Rs 50 per month represents a significant portion of their disposable income.
The Numbers Tell the Story
With approximately 48 million users (20-25% of Jio’s base) previously on 1GB/day plans, this change affects a substantial portion of India’s mobile users. These customers now face three choices:
- Pay more for the Rs 299 plan (20% increase)
- Reduce usage with lower validity plans
- Switch operators (though options are limited)
Airtel Follows Suit: Industry-Wide Shift
A day after Reliance Jio discontinued its popular Rs 249 base plan, Airtel too has quietly dropped its Rs 249 pack that offered similar benefits. Until today, Airtel’s Rs 249 plan offered users unlimited calls, 1GB data per day, 100 SMS per day, and 24 days of validity. Now, the plan has been removed from both Airtel’s official website and mobile app.
With the Rs 249 option gone, the next cheapest plan with a daily data plan from Airtel costs Rs 299. This pack carries forward most of the same benefits – 1GB data per day, unlimited calls, 100 SMS per day, Airtel Xstream, HelloTunes, and spam alerts, but the validity goes up to 28 days.
Your Alternative Options in 2025
Jio’s New Entry-Level Plans
Since the Rs 249 plan is no longer available online, here are your closest alternatives:
Rs 299 Plan (New Base Option)
- 1.5GB data per day
- 28 days validity
- Unlimited calls & 100 SMS/day
- JioTV, JioCinema access
Rs 349 Plan (Best Value with 5G)
- 2GB data per day
- 28 days validity
- Unlimited 5G data (where available)
- Disney+ Hotstar subscription
- All standard benefits
Rs 239 Plan (Shorter Validity)
- 1.5GB data per day
- 22 days validity
- All standard benefits
What About Other Operators?
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) remains a significant outlier in terms of pricing. BSNL continues to offer considerably more affordable plans – for example, a 30-day, 1.5 GB/day pack at just Rs 141 and a 2.2 GB/day plan at Rs 148.1 However, BSNL’s limited 4G coverage and lack of competitive network quality keep it from being a mainstream alternative for most urban and semi-urban users.
TRAI’s Response and Regulatory Stance
According to a PTI report dated September 12, 2025, TRAI has not found any significant urgency for intervention at this stage. “TRAI has, however, not found any significant urgency for intervention at this stage,” sources were quoted as saying.
Reliance Jio told TRAI that it’s Rs 249 plan was removed, but then it is still available on the stores. Airtel said that its Rs 249 plan is completely removed. Upon probe on the matter, Airtel and Jio were found to be doing nothing wrong or nothing extreme by the sector regulator. So there’s no need for any action or interference from TRAI’s end right now.
What This Means for India’s Digital Future
Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Questions
The removal of affordable entry-level plans raises critical questions about digital inclusion in India. With data becoming essential for education, work, and daily life, higher prices could widen the digital divide.
Industry Consolidation Continues
Their 1.5 GB/day plans are priced at Rs 349, and 2 GB/day plans at Rs 408 (Vi) and Rs 399 (Airtel), placing them at a slight premium compared to Jio’s offerings. This price alignment across the top telecom players could indicate a coordinated move toward tariff consolidation in the industry.
5 Key Takeaways for Consumers
- Budget plans are disappearing – The era of ultra-affordable data plans appears to be ending
- Minimum monthly cost increased by 20% – From Rs 249 to Rs 299 for comparable benefits
- Physical stores may still offer the plan – Some users report finding Rs 249 plans at retail outlets
- 5G is becoming the focus – Operators are pushing users toward higher-value 5G-enabled plans
- Limited alternatives exist – With Airtel following suit, options for budget users are shrinking
What You Should Do Now
For Current Rs 249 Plan Users
- Your existing plan will continue until validity expires
- Compare alternatives before your next recharge
- Consider the Rs 299 plan for similar benefits with more data
- Check physical stores if you specifically need the Rs 249 plan
For Budget-Conscious Users
- Look at annual plans for better per-day value
- Consider family plans if sharing with multiple users
- Evaluate your actual data usage – you might manage with less
- Monitor WiFi availability to reduce mobile data dependency
The Bigger Picture: India’s Telecom Evolution
Jio wants to improve its ARPU even further, as it plans to go for an IPO (Initial Public Offering) in the near future. Analysts and market experts believe that Jio will list in the stock exchanges in 2026.2 This IPO preparation explains the urgency behind improving financial metrics now.
The discontinuation of the Rs 249 plan marks more than just a price increase – it signals a fundamental shift in India’s telecom market from growth-at-any-cost to profitability-focused operations. While this may strengthen the financial health of telecom companies, it comes at the cost of affordability for millions of Indians.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, the telecom industry’s focus on higher ARPU and 5G services will likely continue reshaping plan offerings. Users should prepare for a future where:
- Basic plans start at Rs 300 or higher
- 5G becomes the standard, not premium
- Bundled services justify higher prices
- Annual plans offer the best value
The removal of Jio’s Rs 249 plan isn’t just about one company’s strategy – it’s reshaping how India stays connected in 2025 and beyond. For millions of users, adapting to this new reality means making tough choices between connectivity and affordability.
Muzamil Ahad
Founder & Lead Editor, doordasherhelpcentral.com
With over 5 years of experience in mobile and automotive technology journalism, Muzamil has:
Tested 50+ smartphones—from entry-level to flagship.
Conducted 25+ vehicle field tests, including EVs and hybrids.
Published 200+ in-depth articles covering specs, benchmarks, and buyer guides
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