To,
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India
Major Indian Telecom Operators (Jio, Airtel, Vi)

Subject: Request for fair, transparent, and non-exploitative charges for NRI mobile number retention and SMS/OTP services

Quick Summary:
Many NRIs rely on Indian phone numbers to get key OTPs - for banks, Aadhaar, UPI, savings, and state support. Yet providers demand costly renewals often just to keep SIMs alive - despite no call or internet use. This hits low-income migrants hard; they earn small wages overseas but face steep charges merely to contact loved ones or reach personal accounts back home. Some end up locked out of vital systems once their lines shut off - with little warning given.
We’re just calling for an honest, straightforward setup: a cheap annual NRI service that keeps numbers active solely for texts and verification codes. Longer renewal periods should be available - once fees are covered, there mustn’t be hidden costs or mandatory shutdowns. This isn’t about handouts, it’s about respect, equal treatment, and minimal connectivity for all overseas Indians, whether skilled workers or blue-collar migrants sending money home.

We, the undersigned Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and supporters across the world, write this petition with deep concern and growing frustration. For millions of us living abroad, our Indian mobile number is more than just a SIM card, it is a lifeline that keeps us connected to our identity, our families, our financial security, and our responsibilities back home.

Yet today, retaining that simple lifeline has become unnecessarily difficult, expensive, and emotionally exhausting.

Why Indian Mobile Numbers Matter So Deeply to NRIs:

• OTPs for banking, UPI, Aadhaar, and financial transactions
• Access to Indian investments (Demat, trading, NPS, PF)
• Government portals and digital services
• EMI, real-estate, and emergency communication
• Identity verification for almost every essential service

Without this number, many NRIs are unable to access their own bank accounts, manage their own savings, or complete even the most basic identity verifications. Losing access can cause financial losses, legal complications, stress, and helplessness — all while living far away from home.

The Problem: A System That Feels Unfair and Exploitative:

Despite paying regularly just to keep our numbers alive, we face:

1. Compulsory high-value recharges only to maintain SIM validity ( even when we do not use outgoing calls or data.)
2. Extra charges for incoming SMS/OTPs, even after validity is paid for.
3. No dedicated or affordable plan for NRIs who only need incoming SMS and OTPs.
4. Frequent SIM deactivations, causing emotional distress and financial risks.
5. A lack of transparency, leaving consumers confused and forced into repeated recharges they do not need.

For a community that contributes immensely to India through remittances, investments, tourism, and global influence, this treatment feels deeply unfair and out of alignment with global telecom standards — where number-retention costs are minimal, nominal, or entirely free.

What We Are Requesting: A Simple, Fair, Human-Centric Solution
We respectfully urge TRAI, DoT, and all major telecom operators to consider the need of millions of NRIs and introduce reforms that are fair, transparent, and humane:.

1) Introduce a low-cost NRI Number Retention Plan (e.g., ₹199–₹249/year) designed only for:

• Incoming SMS
• OTP reception
• Basic validity

2) Stop charging extra for receiving SMS/OTPs once a validity plan has already been purchased.
3) Provide a clear, transparent policy for SIM activity and validity  requirements for NRIs.
4) Offer longer validity options (6 months or 1 year) for NRIs staying abroad.
5) Ensure no automatic deactivation as long as the consumer pays for the validity plan.

Why This Reform Truly Matters:

• NRIs send billions in remittances that directly support the Indian economy.
• We maintain investments, properties, financial commitments, and families in India.
• Losing access to an OTP can mean losing control over one’s own financial identity.
• A fair system would build trust, goodwill, and long-term loyalty toward telecom operators.

**This is not just a request, it is a call for fairness, A call for respect, A call to end a needless hardship faced by millions.**

India is known for its digital progress and global leadership in technology. It is only fair that this progress includes a simple and humane solution for NRIs who remain emotionally, financially, and culturally connected to their homeland.

We, the undersigned, request immediate action to create a transparent, affordable, and NRI-friendly telecom policy. One that reflects the values of fairness, dignity, and trust.

With hope and sincerity,
The NRI Community and Supporters Worldwide