Indian Telecom SIM Validity Rules: How Long Your Number Stays Active Without Recharge

Indian telecom operators are implementing stricter rules for SIM card validity without recharge. After a period of inactivity, typically 90 days, numbers can be blocked and eventually reassigned. Jio and Vi generally allow 90 days, Airtel offers over 90 days plus a grace period, while BSNL provides the longest window of 180 days. Users can maintain SIM activity with low-cost recharge plans, especially for numbers linked to banking or OTP services, to avoid losing them.