2026 में telecom recharge plans इतने varied और competitive हो गए हैं कि बहुत से users confuse हो जाते हैं कि low budget पर कौन-सा plan लेना सही रहेगा। खासकर अगर आपका budget ₹299 के अंदर है और आप चाहते हैं कि voice calling + daily data + SMS का decent combo मिले, तो Reliance Jio और Airtel के पास कुछ solid options हैं।
इस article में हम 2026 के best low-cost prepaid plans under ₹299 को compare करेंगे — ताकि आपको clear idea मिल सके कि कौन-सा plan किस usage type के लिए best है, और किस operator की strength कहाँ है।
Quick Market Reality Check — 5 Words Before We Compare
2026 में, telecom users expect करते हैं:
- Unlimited voice calling
- Daily or fixed data allowance
- SMS support
- Reliable network experience
- Predictable monthly cost
Low-cost plans इस basic connectivity को affordable रखकर deliver करते हैं, लेकिन perks और high-speed data में compromise किया जा सकता है — and that’s fine for many users.
Category 1: Everyday Basic Use — Voice + Light Data
यह segment उन लोगों के लिए है जिनका mobile usage heavy data तक नहीं जाता — बस calls, WhatsApp, light browsing और daily basic tasks तक सीमित रहता है.
Jio ₹129 Plan
- Unlimited voice calling
- Light daily data
- SMS benefits
- ~28–30 days validity
यह plan budget segment में most talked about option रहा है, क्योंकि इसका price point low है और calling + basic internet दोनों मिलते हैं.
Airtel ₹159 Plan
- Unlimited voice calling
- Light to moderate daily data
- SMS inclusion
- ~28–30 days validity
यह Airtel का basic everyday plan है जो slightly higher price पर थोड़ा बेहतर data quota देता है।
Comparison — Basic Segment
- Calling: दोनों में unlimited calling मिलता है.
- Data: Airtel थोड़ा edge लेता है अगर data quota moderate है.
- Value: Jio का price lower है, तो budget users को slightly advantage मिलता है.
Best For:
• Senior citizens
• Secondary SIM users
• Light internet usage users
Category 2: Everyday Balanced Use — Calling + Moderate Daily Data
इसी segment में वो plans आते हैं जिनमें data थोड़ा बेहतर है — जैसे daily browsing, WhatsApp heavy use, email checking, light video watching तक.
Jio ₹199 Plan
- Unlimited voice calling
- Moderate daily data
- SMS benefits
- ~28–30 days validity
यह plan everyday communications के साथ थोड़ा extra data भी देता है — जो most users के daily needs को comfortable तरीके से handle करता है.
Airtel ₹199 Plan
- Unlimited voice calling
- Moderate daily data
- SMS inclusion
- ~28–30 days validity
Airtel ही इसका direct competitor है — जिसमें daily data allocation और calling benefits बहुत similar levels पर आते हैं.
Comparison — Balanced Segment
- Voice: Both give unlimited calling.
- Data: Generally both have similar moderate daily data, though region-to-regionकुछ differences हो सकते हैं.
- Network: Airtel की network reliability अक्सर consistent experience देती है, especially peak hours में.
- Cost-Benefit: ₹199 price point दोनों को value segment में strong contender बनाता है.
Best For:
• Young professionals
• Students
• Everyday internet + communication users
Category 3: Enhanced Daily Data Use — Moderate to High
₹199 के थोड़े ऊपर जाकर आपको ऐसे options मिलते हैं जो everyday use के अलावा थोड़ा extra daily data भी देते हैं — जैसे light video streaming, Google apps browsing, shopping apps.
Jio ₹249 Plan
- Unlimited voice calling
- Higher daily data
- SMS benefits
- ~28–30 days validity
This tier उन users को attract करता है जिनका usage typical browsing से आगे भी थोड़ा बढ़ता है.
Airtel ₹249 Plan
- Unlimited voice calling
- Higher daily data
- SMS inclusion
- ~28–30 days validity
Airtel का mid-tier pick भी similar feature set देता है, पर network consistency edge की वजह से many users इसे prefer करते हैं.
Comparison — Enhanced Data Segment
- Data: Both offer higher daily data than the ₹199 tier.
- Voice: Unlimited voice calling across networks.
- Network Quality: Airtel का network थोड़ी upper edge दे सकता है certain areas में.
Best For:
• Moderate internet + calling needs
• Light streaming users
• Frequent browsers
Category 4: Special Offers & Seasonal Recharge Deals (Under ₹299)
कुछ प्लान ऐसे होते हैं जिनके साथ additional perks भी मिलते हैं — जैसे OTT trial months, add-on bonuses, extra weekend data etc. ये हमेशा fixed category में नहीं आते, लेकिन new year / festival offers में मिलते हैं.
Jio Value Boost Add-Ons
Jio कभी-कभी low cost packs के साथ extra daily data or bonus day data offer करता है — जिनकी validity separate होती है.
Airtel Bonus Packs
Airtel भी add-on packs लेकर आता है जिसमें calling + data top-ups मिलते हैं — temporary boost के लिए best.
ये add-ons base plans के ऊपर काम करते हैं, इसलिए base recharge + add-on combo छोटे budget में ज्यादा flexibility दे सकता है.
Network Comparison — Both Matter as Much as the Plan Itself
Recharge plan तभी useful होता है जब network coverage अच्छे से support करे:
Jio Network
- Wide 4G coverage across urban & rural
- 5G availability in many cities
- High data speed in many regions
- Good value per data ratio
Airtel Network
- Strong voice call clarity
- Consistent network performance
- Peak hour stability
- Often strong edge in metro / urban areas
Reality: Same plan अलग अलग locations में different experience दे सकता है — इसलिए area-specific coverage check करना always smart रहता है.
Value for Money — Segment-Wise Verdict
अब चलिए सीधे answer देते हैं — 2026 में value for money किस plan में सबसे zyada लगती है?
Under ₹150 Segment
• Jio ₹129 — Best if your priority is calls + basic data at minimal price.
• Airtel ₹159 — Slightly higher cost but better daily data balance.
Winner: Depends on region coverage — data wise Airtel, price wise Jio.
Under ₹200 Segment
• Jio ₹199 — Balanced daily use + calling + light data.
• Airtel ₹199 — Balanced and reliable network experience.
Winner: Tie — both offer similar value; network performance decides.
Under ₹250–₹299 Segment
• Jio ₹249 — Better daily data for moderate data tasks.
• Airtel ₹249 — Balanced + consistent experience.
Winner: Slight edge Airtel in coverage consistency; Jio in cost per data.
Tips for Picking the Right Plan (Quick)
- Check local network coverage first — sometimes Airtel voice clarity wins where Jio data edge fades, and vice versa.
- Understand your daily usage — if you browse lightly, go ₹129/₹159 bracket; for balanced needs ₹199 is perfect.
- Add-ons help manage spikes — base plan + top-up add-on often cheaper than full upgrade.
- SMS support still matters for OTPs and transactional alerts.
Conclusion — Final Call
2026 में low-cost plans under ₹299 के बीच Jio और Airtel दोनों strong contenders हैं।
Jio offers slightly better value for data and aggressive pricing — especially in basic and ₹199 segments.
Airtel stands strong on network consistency, voice clarity and stable everyday experience.
Best plan depends on your usage pattern, local network strength, and preference for calling vs data priority.
Quick Summary:
• Light usage = Jio ₹129 or Airtel ₹159
• Balanced usage = Jio ₹199 vs Airtel ₹199
• Moderate data = Jio ₹249 vs Airtel ₹249
Jio might save you a few rupees and offer more data, while Airtel might give you smoother experience during busy network hours.