Airtel Reduces Data on Rs 195 Voucher From 15GB to 12GB, OTT Benefits Remain

Bharti Airtel has quietly trimmed down the data benefits on one of its popular prepaid vouchers. The Rs 195 plan, which millions of Airtel users rely on, now gives less data than before. The timing is interesting, considering the plan was only introduced earlier this year, just ahead of IPL 2025.

What’s Changed in the Rs 195 Voucher

The Rs 195 recharge is not a regular service plan but a data-only voucher that works across all circles. Previously, it offered 15GB of data. Now, it’s been cut down to 12GB.

That reduction may not seem huge at first glance, but for prepaid users who top up frequently, it adds up quickly. The voucher still includes one bonus—90 days of JioHotstar Mobile access, giving users OTT content bundled with their data.

Why Airtel Is Making This Move

Airtel’s strategy here isn’t random. The operator has been laser-focused on pushing its average revenue per user (ARPU) higher. By the end of Q1 FY26, Airtel’s ARPU had already hit Rs 250. The company has made it clear that the next milestone is Rs 300.

Reducing benefits in small steps, like shaving data from vouchers, is one way to gently nudge revenues without a formal tariff hike. But eventually, industry-wide hikes look inevitable.

Tariff Hikes and a New Pricing Model

Both Airtel and Reliance Jio have signaled that when the next round of hikes comes, they want a new tariff structure—one where heavy data consumers pay more, and lighter users aren’t burdened. That could create a fairer system, ensuring people in lower-income brackets don’t pay more unless their usage actually increases.

Jio and Airtel Adjust Smaller Plans Too

This Rs 195 tweak isn’t happening in isolation. Recently, Airtel and Jio both pulled their Rs 249 prepaid plans, another move aimed at balancing revenues. Jio, with its broader user base, is still expected to see faster ARPU growth compared to Airtel, at least until tariff hikes kick in.

For users, though, these changes signal a clear trend: the same money now gets you a little less data than before.

Via