Jio recharge plans explained from 2016 to 2025. Easy breakdown of free offers, daily data packs, OTT benefits, tariff hikes, and new 5G plan changes.
Jio’s Recharge plans 1GB/Day plan now costs ₹209 – but validity remains a major concern.
Now, Jio’s only 1GB/Day data plan is ₹209. The company has quietly removed the ₹249 plan from online platforms. The new ₹209 pack currently offers 1GB/day with a validity of 22 days and is only available in the “Value Plans” section of the MyJio app, while the ₹249 plan is still available at offline stores.
This change clearly creates confusion for users—the same company, but different plans online and offline. This decision particularly impacts the middle class and the poor, who rely on cheap and stable internet for their daily needs.
We have a clear request for Jio >>
If the ₹209 plan is truly beneficial to users, its validity should be extended to 30 days instead of 22 days. This will provide some relief to economically weaker sections of society, avoiding the burden of frequent recharges.
Key Points >>
- ₹249 plan removed from online
- ₹209 plan only available on the MyJio app
- Validity only 22 days
- ₹249 plan still available in offline stores
- Change without clear notice to users
The dream of Digital India will only be realized when the internet is truly accessible and affordable for all. We urge Jio to reconsider this decision and extend the validity to 30 days instead of 22 days, so that the common man and the poor can get real relief.
Read More: BSNL 2399 Recharge: Full 365-Day Plan With Daily 2GB Data & Unlimited Calling
Jio recharge plans from 2016 to 2025 Key changes
2016-17 (Launch Period)
Reliance Jio launched in September 2016 and offered completely free voice calls and data under the Welcome Offer. This was followed by the Happy New Year Offer, which again offered free calls and 1 GB/day of data. This led to a sharp decline in data prices in India. This offer made millions of users join Jio within a few months.
2017-2018
Jio introduced affordable plans like ₹149, ₹309, and ₹399—unlimited calling with 1.5 GB or 2 GB of data per day. The monthly cost ranged from ₹100 to ₹150.
2019 (December)
The company raised prices for the first time. The average increase was 35-40%. For example, the ₹399 plan (84 days, 1.5 GB/day) increased to ₹555. This marked the end of the era of free data.
2020-2021
Tariffs gradually stabilized, but were increased again in November 2021. The base plan of ₹129 became ₹155, and the 1 GB/day plan became ₹149 → ₹179. This represented an increase of 15-25%.
2022-2023
New voice-only and data add-on plans were introduced. The base plan for Jio Phone users remained at ₹91. The validity of some plans was reduced (30 days → 28 days).
2024 (July 3)
Prices increased again across the country. Basic plans became ₹155 → ₹189, ₹239 → ₹299, and ₹666 → ₹799. Average increase of 13-27%. Data and calling benefits remain roughly the same.
2025 (August)
Several entry-level 1 GB/day plans have been removed. The lowest base plan now starts at ₹299 (1.5 GB/day, 28 days). Old ₹249 and ₹239 plans have been discontinued.