India has one of the world’s largest and most affordable mobile networks. Whether you are a tourist, digital nomad, student, or business traveler, prepaid SIM cards in India provide fast internet, cheap call rates, and wide nationwide coverage. Major operators like Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea (Vi), and BSNL offer competitive prepaid plans with 4G and 5G services.
In this guide, you’ll find detailed information about availability, registration rules, frequency bands, coverage, prices, data add-ons, unlimited plans, and how to activate and manage your SIM card.
SIM types: Physical SIM, Micro SIM, Nano SIM, eSIM
Network types: 2G, 3G, 4G LTE, 5G
Valid for: Calls, SMS, Mobile data, Hotspot sharing
Registration: Mandatory biometric verification (KYC)
Typical validity: 28 to 365 days
Availability Prepaid SIM cards are widely available across India:
Airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata)
Mobile operator retail stores
Authorized local mobile shops
Online delivery in select cities
Where to Buy
Operator brand stores (Jio Store, Airtel Store, Vi Store, BSNL CSC)
Airport telecom counters
Shopping malls and mobile phone markets
Online via operator websites
Frequencies Table Operator 2G Bands 3G Bands 4G LTE Bands 5G Bands Jio – – Band 3 (1800 MHz), Band 5 (850 MHz), Band 40 (2300 MHz) n78 (3500 MHz) Airtel 900 / 1800 MHz 2100 MHz Band 3, Band 8, Band 40 n78 Vodafone (Vi) 900 / 1800 MHz 2100 MHz Band 3, Band 8, Band 40 Limited BSNL 900 / 1800 MHz 2100 MHz Band 3 (limited) Not available
Coverage & Speed Table Operator 2G Coverage 4G Coverage 5G Coverage Typical Speeds Jio No Nationwide Major cities 10–100 Mbps (4G), 100–1 Gbps (5G) Airtel Nationwide Nationwide Major cities 10–120 Mbps Vi Nationwide Good in cities Limited 5–80 Mbps BSNL Nationwide Limited No 1–20 Mbps
At a Glance Comparison Feature Jio Airtel Vi BSNL 5G Support ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ❌ Limited ❌ No eSIM ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ✅ Yes ❌ No Tourist-Friendly ✅ Excellent ✅ Excellent ✅ Good ⚠️ Limited Biometric KYC Required Required Required Required
Biometric User Registration All SIM cards in India require mandatory biometric KYC :
Passport (for tourists)
Indian visa copy
Photograph
Fingerprint scanning at the store
This process is free and takes about 10–30 minutes.
Device Registration India does not require device registration for foreign phones.
Supports Indian LTE/5G bands
Is SIM unlocked
Jio SIM Card in India Jio SIM Card Price Item Price Jio SIM Card Free (with plan) Activation Free
Prepaid Plans – Data Add-Ons Data Add-On Price Validity 1GB ₹15 1 day 2GB ₹25 1 day 6GB ₹61 Existing plan
Jio SIM Card Unlimited Data Plans Plan Daily Data Validity Price Unlimited Basic 1.5GB/day 28 days ₹239 Unlimited Plus 2GB/day 28 days ₹299 Unlimited Max 3GB/day 28 days ₹419
Feature Packages Feature Included JioTV ✅ Yes JioCinema ✅ Yes JioCloud ✅ Yes Netflix / Prime (select plans) ✅ Ye
Platform Free/Bonus Access WhatsApp ✅ Included Facebook ✅ Included Instagram ✅ Included YouTube ✅ Included
Jio Data Only Plans Data Plan Data Validity Price Data Pack 1 10GB 30 days ₹181 Data Pack 2 30GB 30 days ₹301 Data Pack 3 100GB 90 days ₹999
Airtel SIM Card in India Prepaid Data Add-Ons Data Pack Data Validity Price Add-On 1 1GB 1 day ₹19 Add-On 2 2GB 2 days ₹39 Add-On 3 5GB 7 days ₹65
Airtel Unlimited Data Plans Plan Data/Day Validity Price Basic 1.5GB 28 days ₹265 Popular 2GB 28 days ₹299 Premium 3GB 28 days ₹449
Feature Packages Feature Included Wynk Music ✅ Yes Airtel Xstream ✅ Yes Amazon Prime (selected plans) ✅ Yes
Platform Free/Bonus WhatsApp ✅ Included Facebook ✅ Included Instagram ✅ Included
Airtel Data Only Plans Plan Data Validity Price Data Card Plan 1 20GB 30 days ₹301 Data Card Plan 2 50GB 60 days ₹499
Vodafone (Vi) SIM Card Prepaid Data Add-Ons Data Price Validity 1GB ₹20 1 day 5GB ₹70 7 days 12GB ₹120 30 days
Vi Unlimited Plans Plan Data/Day Validity Price Basic 1.5GB 28 days ₹249 Standard 2GB 28 days ₹299 Super 3GB 28 days ₹449
Feature Packages
Feature Available Vi Movies & TV ✅ Yes Weekend Data Rollover ✅ Yes
Platform Offer WhatsApp Unlimited with plans Facebook Included Instagram Included
Vi Data Only Plans Data Pack S 25GB 30 days ₹299 Data Pack L 50GB 60 days ₹499
BSNL SIM Card Prepaid Data Add-Ons Data Price Validity 2GB ₹25 1 day 6GB ₹60 3 days 10GB ₹94 7 days
BSNL Unlimited Data Plans Plan Daily Data Validity Price Basic 1GB/day 28 days ₹187 Standard 2GB/day 28 days ₹299
Feature Packages Feature Available National Roaming ✅ Yes Free Caller Tunes ✅ Yes
Platform Offer WhatsApp Included Facebook Included
BSNL Data Only Plans Plan Data Validity Price Data Pack 10GB 30 days ₹251 High Data 40GB 90 days ₹401
How to Check the Remaining Balance Operator Code Jio Open MyJio App Airtel Dial *123 # Vi Dial *199 # BSNL Dial *123 #
How to Check SIM Number Operator Code Jio Dial *1 # Airtel Dial *282 # Vi Dial *199 # BSNL Dial *888 #
Official Websites Mobile Apps Tourist SIM in India Tourists can get SIM cards with:
Passport
Visa
Hotel address proof
Validity is usually 28–90 days .
Digital eSIM Providers Popular international eSIMs:
Other Options
Pocket Wi-Fi rental
International roaming
Local data dongles
Activation Process
Insert SIM
Complete biometric KYC
SIM activates in 15 minutes to 2 hours
Customer Helpline Numbers Operator Helpline Jio 199 Airtel 121 Vi 199 BSNL 1503
Top-Up Methods
Recharge via operator apps
UPI payments
Recharge vouchers from shops
Debit/Credit cards
Conclusion Prepaid SIM cards in India are affordable, reliable, and easy to access. Jio and Airtel offer the best nationwide 4G and 5G coverage, while Vi and BSNL provide budget-friendly alternatives. With simple biometric registration and a wide range of data plans, travelers and residents can stay connected easily throughout India.
