Airtel Data Loan: USSD Code, Eligibility & How to Get 1GB (2026)

Dial *567*3# from your Airtel prepaid number to get a 1GB data loan instantly. The data is valid till midnight of the same day. No upfront payment. Repayment is automatic when you next recharge with one of these MRPs: 22, 33, 77, 121, 149, 161, 181, or 361. Only prepaid users are eligible. Postpaid customers are not covered.

 1 GB Free Airtel Data Loan 2026
Airtel Data Loan

Airtel Data Loan USSD Codes

Official code: *567*3# – this is the only USSD code directly cited on Airtel’s terms and conditions page at airtel.in. All other codes are either partially confirmed or unverified.

Multiple codes circulate online for the Airtel data loan. Only one is officially documented by Airtel.

USSD CodePurposeStatus
*567*3#Direct 1GB data loan activationConfirmed Official (Airtel T&C)
*141*567#Menu-based access to same loanPartially confirmed navigates to loan menu, not direct activation
*345#200MB / 500MB smaller loan optionsConfirmed select circles only, separate product
*400#Reported by third-party sites as data loan shortcutNot on official Airtel T&C. May work via menu in some circles but unverified
*121#Data and main balance checkConfirmed official balance check only, not loan activation
52141Dedicated data loan dial numberReported as temporarily unavailable by multiple sources. Status unconfirmed

When in doubt, use *567*3#. It is the only code directly cited on airtel.in.

Who Is Eligible for Airtel Data Loan

Eligibility definition: Any Airtel prepaid customer with active validity on their SIM is eligible for the data loan. Postpaid users are not covered.

Per the official Airtel terms and conditions, the eligibility rule is straightforward: any prepaid customer with an active validity in their account can opt for the data loan. Postpaid users are not covered under this facility.

Additional conditions based on how the service works in practice:

  • Active account with valid SIM status at the time of request
  • No existing unpaid data loan (if a previous loan is pending, the next request will be blocked)
  • Prepaid only with all licensed service areas across India

Several third-party sources mention a 90-day account age requirement. This is not stated in the official Airtel T&C page. It may be a system-level filter applied during eligibility checks, but Airtel has not officially published it as a written condition. If a newer SIM gets rejected, this could be the reason.

How to Activate Airtel Data Loan

Three activation channels work: USSD, the Airtel Thanks app, and an SMS reply.

Method #1. Via USSD Code (*567*3#)

  1. Open the phone dialer on your Airtel prepaid SIM
  2. Dial *567*3# and press the call button
  3. Wait for the confirmation SMS
  4. 1GB is credited to your account instantly
  5. Data is valid till midnight of the same day

This works on any phone, including basic feature phones, without internet. No app or Wi-Fi needed.

Method #2. Via Airtel Thanks App

Airtel data loan 1GB

Use this method if the USSD code fails or shows no option.

  1. Open the Airtel Thanks app (download from Play Store or App Store if not installed)
  2. Log in with your Airtel prepaid number
  3. Go to Manage Account
  4. Tap Emergency Data
  5. Confirm to activate the 1GB data loan

The app method is more reliable on smartphones when network conditions cause USSD to time out.

Method #3. Via SMS (CLI 56321)

How it works: Airtel sends an interactive SMS from number 56321 when your data balance runs out. Reply with 1 to activate the 1GB data loan. No USSD code needed.

This channel is not mentioned in most competitor articles but is directly documented in Airtel’s official T&C. If you receive this SMS and need data immediately, replying “1” is the fastest activation route.

Repayment Rules and Eligible Recharge Packs

How repayment works: The 1GB data loan is recovered automatically from your next recharge, but only if that recharge is one of the specific eligible MRP packs. There is no cash deduction from talk time balance. No interest or penalty charge.

The 1GB data loan is not free. It gets recovered from your next data pack recharge, but only if that recharge is one of the eligible MRP packs listed by Airtel.

Eligible Recharge MRPPack Type
Rs. 22Data top-up / small pack
Rs. 33Data top-up
Rs. 77Data pack
Rs. 121Data pack
Rs. 149Data pack
Rs. 161Data pack
Rs. 181Data pack
Rs. 361Data pack

If you recharge with a plan that is not on this list, the loan will not be recovered from that transaction. The loan remains outstanding until an eligible MRP recharge is done.

What Happens If You Do Not Repay

Key rule: One unpaid data loan blocks the entire facility. The next loan request via *567*3# will be rejected until the outstanding loan is cleared through an eligible MRP recharge.

If you take a data loan and then recharge only with non-eligible packs, the loan stays unpaid. Airtel’s official condition is clear: customers who have not cleared their data loan will not be allowed to take a subsequent data loan.

The only way to restore access is to recharge with one of the eligible MRP packs (22, 33, 77, 121, 149, 161, 181, or 361), which triggers automatic recovery. There is no penalty charge or fine beyond the borrowed 1GB being deducted.

200MB and 500MB Data Loan Options

Alternative loans: Airtel offers 200MB and 500MB emergency data loans via *345# in select circles. These carry a small data deduction as a service fee and are separate products from the 1GB pan-India loan.

Not everyone needs a full 1GB loan. For smaller tasks like checking a UPI transaction status or sending a document, Airtel offers smaller emergency data options via *345# in select circles.

ProductCodeData ReceivedService FeeValidityAvailability
200MB Data Loan*345#200MB net20MB extra deducted1-3 daysSelect circles
500MB Data Loan*345#500MB net50MB extra deducted1-3 daysSelect circles

These are different products from the 1GB loan. The 1GB loan has no service fee and is available pan-India. If *567*3# shows no eligible offer, try *345# to see what is available in your area.

What to Do If USSD Code Is Not Working

Troubleshooting steps in order:

  1. Check SIM and account status first. If the SIM is in a dormant state or validity has expired, USSD-based services will not respond. Dial *121# to check your main balance and validity.
  2. Check for an existing unpaid loan. If a previous loan is not cleared, *567*3# will return an error or no response. Recharge with an eligible MRP to clear it first.
  3. Try *141*567# This is an alternate menu-access code that takes you to the same loan option via a slightly different path. Not officially confirmed but partially validated.
  4. Switch to the Airtel Thanks app. Open the app, go to Manage Account, and check Emergency Data. The app often shows the loan option even when USSD does not respond, especially on congested networks.
  5. Reply to the 56321 SMS. If Airtel sent an interactive SMS when data ran out, reply with 1.
  6. Call 121. Airtel customer care can check eligibility on the account and sometimes manually trigger the loan.

Feature phone users without app access: try *345# as a fallback for smaller loan options if the 1GB USSD keeps failing.


How to Check Airtel Data Loan Balance

How to check: Dial *121# from your Airtel number and navigate to the data balance section, or open the Airtel Thanks app and check Data Balance on the home screen.

There is no separate USSD code specifically for checking the loan status. The *121# balance check shows your total available data, which includes any active loan data credited to the account.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to take 1GB data loan in Airtel?

Dial *567*3# from your Airtel prepaid number. The 1GB data is credited instantly and is valid till midnight of the same day.

What is the Airtel data loan USSD code in 2026?

The officially confirmed code is *567*3#, per Airtel’s terms and conditions page. Other codes like *400# are reported by third-party sources but are not verified by Airtel officially.

Is Airtel data loan free?

There is no extra charge or interest. The borrowed 1GB is recovered from your next eligible recharge. The MRPs that trigger repayment are 22, 33, 77, 121, 149, 161, 181, and 361.

Who is eligible for Airtel data loan?

Prepaid customers with active validity in their account. Postpaid users are not eligible.

Which recharge packs repay Airtel data loan?

Recharges at MRP 22, 33, 77, 121, 149, 161, 181, and 361 are eligible for data loan recovery.

Can I get Airtel data loan multiple times?

Yes, but only after the previous loan is repaid. An unpaid loan blocks the next request until an eligible recharge is done.

What to do if Airtel data loan USSD code is not working?

Check for unpaid existing loans, try the Airtel Thanks app via Manage Account > Emergency Data, or call 121 for assistance.

How long is Airtel data loan valid?

1GB loan is valid till midnight of the same day it is activated. Smaller loans via *345# are valid for 1-3 days depending on the circle.

How to check Airtel data loan balance?

Dial *121# or check the Airtel Thanks app under Data Balance.

Is Airtel data loan available for postpaid users?

No. This facility is exclusively for prepaid customers across all licensed service areas.

Vishal Dubey is a passionate content writer with a keen interest in sports, particularly cricket. With a deep love for the game, Vishal combines his expertise in content writing with his enthusiasm for sports to create engaging and informative articles. His writing not only reflects his knowledge of the game but also his ability to connect with readers on a personal level. Get in touch @ Facebook | X (formerly Twitter) | Linkedin | Instagram

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