Recently, in an effort to enhance customer flexibility, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has shortened the cooling-off period to change between prepaid and postpaid mobile plans. The development is useful to the consumers of leading telecom companies such as Jio, Airtel, BSNL, and Vi.

Important Points of the New Rule

Earlier, the users were required to wait 90 days before they could change their connection type (prepaid to postpaid or postpaid to prepaid). This new rule, starting June 2025, will enable users to do this switch only after 30 days of their initial conversion. This shortening of the waiting time is a positive move, which gives greater flexibility to mobile subscribers who might not be satisfied with their first selection of plan.

OTP-Based KYC Simplified Process

The switch will be initiated by the users undergoing an OTP-based KYC (Know Your Customer) procedure at the designated stores of their telecom operator. That way, it makes the process swift and convenient compared to previously when there were complexities involved in switching between prepaid and postpaid.

Post-First Switch Rule

The 30 day switch offer is applicable on the initial conversion. A 90-day cooling off period will apply thereafter before users are allowed to change again. Nonetheless, should the users want to change before this duration is over, they will be required to undertake a new KYC procedure at the points of sale established by the service provider or their authorized dealers.

User Benefits

This new regulation comes with great advantages. It will no longer take months before dissatisfied users of their postpaid or prepaid plan can make changes. Users can now take a second look and switch to a different plan within a significantly shorter period of time, whether they find that a plan is too costly or it does not suit them.

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