How To Get A New SIM Card? All Details For Airtel & Jio In March 2026!

Are you thinking of getting an Airtel new sim or a Jio new Sim in India? I was searching for the same a few days back! After researching from website to website, I devised simple methods for my readers.

In this article, I am going to cover all the details about getting a new SIM in India. Be it knowing the price of Airtel SIM, the cost of Jio SIM Card, Jio new SIM, the process, requirements, sources, and all other details. You will find it all in this article. So, let’s get started:

Also Check: How To Block SIM Card On Jio / Airtel / Vi And More!

Airtel vs Jio: Quick Comparison Table (March 2026)

Get Airtel New SIM In Five Minutes!

Before we get started, Airtel offers both Prepaid and Postpaid services. The steps are different for both the services for getting an Airtel new SIM card. First, let’s take a look at the process for getting a Prepaid Airtel SIM:

Steps To Get Prepaid Airtel New SIM

1. Go to the Airtel website or open the Airtel Thanks App.
2. Select “Prepaid” as your SIM type.
3. Enter your name, phone number, and address for delivery.
4. Submit your request. You’ll get a call or SMS to confirm your details.

A delivery person will come to your home. Give them one ID proof like Aadhar card, Voter ID, or driving license. You can also ask for a special 4-digit number if it’s available. Your SIM will be activated in 1–4 hours (sometimes it may take up to 24 hours). Once it’s active, put the SIM in your phone and recharge with any plan you like.

You can also check the Best Airtel Prepaid Plans.

Also Read: Check Airtel Data Balance Using USSD Code, SMS, Missed Call

Steps To Get Postpaid Airtel New SIM

1. Go to the Airtel website or open the Airtel Thanks App.
2. Go to the Postpaid section and tap on “Free SIM Delivery”.
3. Make sure Postpaid is selected as your SIM type.
4. Enter your contact number and address to place the request.
5. You’ll get a call or SMS to confirm your details. Then, a delivery person will contact you.

When the delivery person comes, you need to show your ID proof like Aadhaar card, Voter ID, or Driving License. After this, the ₹399 postpaid plan will be activated automatically. This plan gives unlimited calling, 100 SMS every day, and 40GB data in a month. If you want, you can also choose another postpaid plan.

Note: Postpaid plans are good because they have no daily data limit. They come with extra features.

Other Methods To Get Airtel New SIM

Option 1: Visit an Airtel Store

• Go to any Airtel Store or authorized shop.
• Bring any valid photo ID: Aadhar Card, Voter ID, or Driver’s License.
• The staff will help you with the SIM registration.

Option 2: Use the Airtel Thanks App

• Download the Airtel Thanks App.
• Log in with any phone number.
• Choose “Get New Airtel SIM” and place your request for home delivery.

Price Of Airtel New SIM

SIM card is FREE. There are no charge for the SIM itself, Home delivery, and Activation. You only pay for the plan you choose to activate.

How To Activate Airtel New SIM Manually?

If, for some reason, your Airtel new sim card is still not activated, you can also do it manually. Here’s how:

1. Open messaging app.
2. Type SMS SIM <enter 20-digit SIM Number>.
3. Send this to 121.
4. You will soon receive confirmation about activating your new SIM.
5. Reply with 1. You will get a confirmation call.
6. One more type, reply with 1 when asked for confirmation.

There will be zero SIM activation charges when done manually.

Best Airtel New SIM Postpaid Plans!

Let’s understand some other plans apart from the Rs. 399 default plan.

Best Airtel Postpaid Plans: March 2026

Airtel’s postpaid plans are available under its Infinity Postpaid portfolio. All plans include unlimited voice calls across India including roaming, and 100 SMS per day. Higher-tier plans support multiple SIM connections for families. Here is the full updated plan comparison:

All Airtel plans now include access to Airtel 5G Plus at no extra cost wherever 5G coverage is available.

Get Jio New SIM In Five Minutes!

Now that we have seen all the details about the Airtel New SIM process. Here are the steps to get Jio New SIM for both Postpaid or Prepaid connection:

1. Go to the Jio SIM page and enter your name and mobile number.
2. Submit the OTP (one-time password).
3. Choose between prepaid and postpaid plans.
4. Provide your location details for the Jio SIM delivery.
5. Once completed, a Jio representative will reach out to you.

You can also visit the nearest Jio Store to get a new Jio SIM for yourself.

Please note that the SIM card might not be activated for a few hours. You will have to recharge it with a plan of your choice.

Also Read: How To Start Using eSIM In India? A Guide for Airtel, Jio, And Vi!

How to Get a New Jio SIM Offline?

1. Go to a Jio store or Jio retailer. Use the Jio Store Locator to find one near you.
2. Take a Valid ID proof with you along with Passport size photo.
3. Fill out a form with your personal details at the store.
4. The store staff will check your ID proof and take your photo for verification.
5. After that, you’ll get your new Jio SIM card.

Once it’s active, insert it into your phone and restart your phone if needed.

Best Jio Postpaid Plans: March 2026

Jio’s postpaid plans are available under the JioPlus portfolio, starting from as low as Rs. 349. These plans offer both individual and family options, and all include unlimited voice calls, 100 SMS per day, and access to JioTV, JioCinema, and JioCloud.

All Jio plans include access to Jio True 5G at no additional cost in 5G-covered areas.

Jio Happy New Year 2026 Special Plans

In December 2025, Jio launched a special set of plans for its customers under the “Happy New Year 2026” offer. These plans come with exclusive benefits including access to Google Gemini Pro:

• Rs. 500 Monthly Plan: 2 GB of data per day with 28-day validity, bundled with Google Gemini Pro access worth Rs. 35,100 annually
• Rs. 3,599 Annual Plan (Hero Plan): Unlimited True 5G data, unlimited calls for 365 days, bundled OTT access, and Google Gemini Pro

These are among the best value plans Jio has offered and are still active as of March 2026.

Price Of Jio New SIM

The Cost of Jio SIM Card is zero. It is absolutely free and there are no hidden charges as well. Here are the details:

• Free Home delivery,
• Zero activation charges
• No security deposit.

The only thing you will have to pay for is the Plan you activate.

Also Read: Top Unlimited Data Plans In India You Should Know!

Till now, we have discussed how to get a new SIM, but what if you want to switch from Airtel to Jio or vice versa while keeping your number the same? In that case, you need to port your current number.

So, let’s understand how you can port your current number.

How to Port Your Current Number (MNP)

If you want to switch to Airtel or Jio but keep your existing mobile number, you can use the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) facility. It’s simple, and you don’t have to share your new number with everyone.

• Open your SMS app and type PORT <your 10-digit mobile number>.
• Send this to 1900.

•  You will receive a Unique Porting Code (UPC) via SMS.
• Visit a Jio or Airtel store or use their app to request a SIM delivery.
• Give the UPC to the representative.
• Your new SIM will be delivered. T

This entire porting process usually takes 3-5 working days. Your old SIM will stop working once the new one is activated.

So, this is all about physical SIM, but if you want to opt for eSIM?

Read on to get the answer.

How to Switch to an eSIM

If you have a compatible device (like iPhone 11 or later, Samsung S-series, or Google Pixel), you don’t even need a physical SIM card.

• If you’re using Airtel,send an SMS eSIM <registered email> to 121. Follow the instructions sent to your email to scan the QR code in your phone’s ‘Cellular Settings.’

• Are you using Jio? In that case, you can visit a Jio Store with your Aadhaar card. They will trigger an activation code that you can download directly onto your phone via the ‘Settings’ menu.

The main benefit of eSIM is that it is eco-friendly, and you can use multiple numbers on a single-SIM phone.

What is Digital KYC?

These days, you don’t need to carry physical photocopies and passport-sized photos for KYC. Both Airtel and Jio now use e-KYC.

When the delivery person arrives, they will use a dedicated app to scan your Aadhaar card QR code. Or they may ask for a live fingerprint scan or use face recognition via the phone camera.

If you’re wondering, is e-KYC better? Here is the answer.

It is much more secure, and your SIM activates significantly faster compared to manual paper processing.

What if your SIM isn’t working?

Even after activation, you might face a “No Service” error. In that case, you must try these quick fixes:

• You must dial 59059 (Airtel) or 1977 (Jio) to verify your identity and activate calling/data for prepaid SIMs.

• Turn on Flight Mode for 30 seconds and turn it off to force the phone to search for the new network.

• If the internet isn’t working, go to Settings -> Mobile Networks -> Access Point Names and reset them to ‘Default.’

I am an NRI/Tourist. How can I Get a New SIM?

If you are visiting India, you can get a “Tourist SIM.” For that, you will need your Passport and a valid Visa. These SIMs are usually valid for the duration of your visa (up to 90 days).

You should look for official Airtel or Jio kiosks at international airports like Delhi (IGI) or Mumbai (BOM) for instant activation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Airtel or Jio SIM card free?

Yes, Airtel and Jio both give SIM cards for free. You do not have to pay any money for the SIM card, activation, or home delivery. You only need to recharge the SIM with a plan to start using it.

How much time does it take to activate a new Airtel SIM?

Usually, the Airtel SIM gets activated within 1 to 4 hours. Sometimes it may take one full day, but this does not happen very often.

How much time does it take to activate a new Jio SIM?

A new Jio SIM also gets activated in a few hours. In some cases, it can take up to 24 hours. After activation, you need to recharge the SIM to use calls and internet.

What documents are needed to get a new SIM?

To get a new SIM, you need one valid ID proof like Aadhaar card, Voter ID, or Driving License. This is needed for verification.

Can I get a new SIM at my home?

Yes, both Airtel and Jio provide free home delivery of SIM cards. You can order it from their website or mobile app, and a delivery person will come to your house.

Can I choose my own mobile number?

Airtel allows you to choose a special or easy number if it is available. Some special numbers may cost extra. In Jio, the number is mostly given automatically.

What should I do if my Airtel SIM is not activated?

If your Airtel SIM is not activated, you can activate it by sending an SMS to 121 and following the instructions. There is no extra charge for this.

Which is cheaper, Airtel postpaid or Jio postpaid?

Jio’s postpaid plans start lower, at Rs. 349 per month, compared to Airtel’s entry plan of Rs. 449 per month. However, Airtel’s plans tend to bundle more premium OTT benefits at mid-tier price points. The best choice depends on your data needs, OTT preferences, and the network coverage quality in your specific area.

Do Airtel and Jio support 5G on all plans?

Yes. As of 2026, both Airtel and Jio include 5G access on all prepaid and postpaid plans at no extra cost. Airtel runs its 5G Plus network and Jio operates its True 5G network. Coverage depends on your city and location.

Which is better, Airtel or Jio?

Both Airtel and Jio are good networks. The better one depends on how strong the network is in your area and what you need, like more data or better calling.

Also Read: Know Your JIO Mobile Number In 5 Easy Ways

Wrapping Up

Getting a new Airtel or Jio SIM card is completely free. Both companies offer competitive services. This includes fast network speeds, quick activation, free home delivery, and more.

Choosing between Airtel and Jio depends on the network coverage in your area and your personal preference. Be sure to check all the details before deciding. If you found this article helpful, share it with friends who might be looking for a new connection!

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