Cheapest Recharge Plans to Keep SIM Active 2026 (₹99–₹200)

Cheapest recharge plan to keep SIM active – Keep your prepaid SIM active without spending much. These minimum validity plans offer incoming calls + basic outgoing for 28–84 days. Ideal for secondary numbers or elders.​

Not every SIM needs data. If a number just needs to stay live for OTPs, banking alerts and the odd call, you don’t need a data-heavy plan. Here’s the cheapest way to keep a SIM active in 2026.

Cheapest recharge plan to keep SIM active

BSNL: the clear winner

BSNL remains the cheapest way to keep a number alive. Its lowest validity plan comes in around ₹99 to ₹108 depending on the circle, and its Chennai/Tamil Nadu listing shows a ₹99 plan with 14 days’ validity, unlimited local and STD calls, and 50MB of data. One report puts BSNL’s minimum plan at 35 days’ validity in some circles, which brings its annual cost to roughly ₹1,100 to ₹1,150, well under private operators.

Jio, Airtel and Vi: closer together

Private operators have mostly converged around the ₹150-₹200 range:

• Jio: minimum recharge sits around ₹155 to ₹189, depending on the exact plan and whether you want any data.
• Airtel: the common minimum is ₹199, giving 28 days, unlimited calls, 100 SMS a day and 2GB of total data.
• Vi: the minimum recharge is ₹99 or ₹155 depending on the circle.

One industry estimate puts the annual cost of staying active on Airtel or Vi near ₹2,590, and on Jio near ₹2,460, versus roughly ₹1,100-1,400 on BSNL.

Why this matters

Operators bar incoming calls and SMS after your plan expires, usually within 7 to 15 days, and can deactivate the number entirely after prolonged inactivity. A small, regular recharge avoids losing the number altogether.

Who should switch to BSNL

• A secondary number kept only for OTPs and banking alerts.
• An old number you want to preserve without paying full price.
• Anyone with BSNL coverage in their area, since BSNL’s 4G rollout is still uneven.

Before you switch

1. Check BSNL coverage at your address before porting.
2. Confirm the exact price and validity for your circle, since these numbers shift often.
3. Keep a note of your renewal date so the number doesn’t lapse.

Final verdict

For a number you actually use daily, Jio’s or Airtel’s minimum plans keep you on a faster network. For a SIM that just needs to stay alive, porting it to BSNL can save roughly ₹1,400 a year.

This makes it the most economical choice for secondary numbers or devices that rarely receive calls.

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