New Delhi: Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has introduced a low cost prepaid plan aimed at attracting new mobile users, offering daily data, unlimited calling and SMS benefits at a sharply competitive price. The state run telecom operator’s new Smart Start Plan is priced at Rs 51 and comes with a validity of 28 days.
Under the plan, customers will get 2GB high speed data per day, unlimited voice calling and 100 SMS per day. The offer is being positioned as a budget friendly option for users who want more data and calling benefits at a lower monthly cost. Another important feature is that new customers will not have to pay separately for the SIM card.
However, the plan comes with a clear condition. The Rs 51 offer is available only for new BSNL customers. Existing prepaid and postpaid BSNL users will not be able to take advantage of this recharge plan. This shows that the company’s immediate focus is on adding fresh subscribers to its network.
The offer will be available for a limited period, from May 22, 2026, to June 30, 2026. Users planning to buy a new BSNL SIM will therefore have a short window to use the scheme.
BSNL’s move comes at a time when the company is expanding its 4G network across the country. Services have already started in several states and cities, while new towers are being installed to improve coverage. The government has also been working to strengthen BSNL so that it can compete more effectively with private telecom companies.
The plan may especially appeal to users in small towns and rural areas, where demand for affordable data packs remains high. We also compared the plan with Reliance Jio’s Rs 355 prepaid pack, which offers 30 days of validity, 25GB total data, unlimited calling, 100 SMS per day and additional digital benefits such as JioHotstar Mobile access, JioAICloud storage and a Google Gemini Pro promotional offer.
For BSNL, the Rs 51 plan is not just another recharge pack. It is part of a broader customer acquisition strategy. If network quality improves alongside such pricing, the company could regain attention among budget conscious mobile users.