The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced new guidelines that offer significant relief to users by extending SIM card validity periods, making it easier for users to keep their secondary SIMs active without frequent recharges. These changes aim to reduce the burden on users who often forget to recharge, ensuring smoother service continuity.

Under the new rules, Airtel users can now enjoy 90 days of SIM validity without recharging. After this period, a 15-day grace period will be offered, during which users must reactivate their number to avoid deactivation. Failure to recharge within this grace period will lead to the SIM being deactivated and reassigned to another user.

Jio also follows the same principle, wherein the validity remains for 90 days without recharging; however, during that period, incoming call services will depend on the last recharge plan. If there is no recharge after the expiration of 90 days, the customer has to opt for a reactivation plan so that their number does not get permanently disconnection and reassigned.

Vi (Vodafone Idea) subscribers get the same 90 days validity without recharging. After that, a minimum recharge of Rs 49 will be needed to keep the SIM active. 

BSNL is the operator with the longest SIM validity period. It has the impressive feature of 180-day validity for non-activated SIMs and is an appealing option for people who want to avoid frequent recharge.

Also, if a SIM is not in use for over 90 days and still contains balance of Rs 20-30, that balance will be deducted to revive the SIM activation for another 30 days, and in case there's no balance available, the SIM will be de-activated, and new subscribers will be assigned to it.