August 20, 2025 – Bharti Airtel has announced that its popular ₹249 prepaid pack will no longer be available to customers from 00:00 hours on August 20, 2025. A notice displayed on the Airtel Thanks app confirmed the change, ending one of the most widely used short-term recharge options for subscribers.
The ₹249 pack has long been a preferred choice for customers seeking limited validity and essential data benefits at an affordable price. Telecom industry experts note that the plan gained popularity among prepaid users who required short-term connectivity without committing to higher-value packs.
Withdrawing the plan is seen as part of Airtel’s strategy to restructure its prepaid offerings. While the company has not issued an official statement on the matter, analysts suggest that the move may be aimed at driving users towards higher-value plans that offer longer validity and bundled benefits, in line with market trends.
Subscriber reaction has been mixed. Many users took to social media expressing disappointment over the plan’s discontinuation, pointing out that it was one of the most convenient packs for temporary or backup usage. Others speculated that Airtel may soon replace it with an updated option offering more data or enhanced features.
The change comes at a time when India’s telecom sector is undergoing a shift towards higher average revenue per user (ARPU), with operators focusing on comprehensive data packs and bundled services. Airtel has been aggressively expanding its postpaid, broadband, and digital content offerings, while continuing to refine its prepaid portfolio to stay competitive against rivals like Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea.
Despite the discontinuation of the ₹249 plan, Airtel continues to provide a wide range of recharge options through the Airtel Thanks app, its official website, and other digital payment platforms. Customers are expected to migrate to alternative short-term packs that remain in circulation.
With over 300 million subscribers nationwide, Airtel remains one of India’s leading telecom providers. The decision to withdraw the ₹249 pack marks a significant shift in its prepaid strategy, as the company looks to balance affordability with long-term revenue growth.
