Last Updated on August 15, 2025
Nepal’s leading private telecom operator Ncell has revised its minimum online recharge (top up) amount rule. With the rule coming into effect, you need to spend at least Rs 50 on eSewa, Khalti, etc. and mobile banking apps to recharge your Ncell number.
The new ruling came into place following the revision by Ncell. Previously, the telco had raised the minimum recharge amount from Rs 10 to Rs 40 but had to revert back to Rs 10 again after strong public criticism. Now, it’s been hiked from Rs 10 to Rs 50.
So, now you need to spend between Rs 50 to Rs 3,000 maximum to top up your Ncell number on digital wallets or mobile banking apps. A Rs 50 recharge gives users a validity of 30 days.
Previously, users could top-up an Ncell number starting from Rs 10. Now, the minimum amount has gone up by 5 times.
Also read: How to get Ncell eSIM?
Minimum Ncell Top-Up Amount Raised to Rs 50 for Digital Wallets
The minimum Rs 50 for online recharge is likely to divide Ncell users. Those who were in the habit of recharging with a minimum amount may not welcome this. However, many had also seen a Rs 10 recharge as almost non-essential. Anyway, to see how this minimum Rs 50 top-up worked out, we tried to top-up the Ncell number with below Rs 50 on a mobile banking app and realized that the ruling was well in place.
Minimum top-up amount for Ncell numbers raised from Rs 10 to Rs 50.
On Khalti by IME, when I tried to recharge with Rs 10, I was met with the notice “Amount should be between Rs. 50 and Rs. 3,000) in the “Amount field”. While it could proceed with Rs 50 with no issue.
Do read: How to transfer balance in Ncell?
My Opinion on Ncell’s minimum recharge amount
As I mentioned, the new top-up amount revision has met with differing opinions. Some users argue that it had been more convenient to recharge Rs 10 especially when the balance was low on mobile wallets or smart mobile banking apps. In urgent situations that required just a phone call or an SMS, the prior condition was still ideal.
I personally feel that while I certainly found it slightly debatable, I believe it eventually works for the convenience of the end users. A Rs 10 still is too low to contribute much to the communication while it definitely contributes to an urgent scenario.
Do read: How to check Ncell balance?
Many resort to low-balance top-ups for the lack of enough of it. However, loading balance to digital wallets is not an uphill task either. Mobile banking and digital wallet service penetration are well within the reach of people with a smartphone and the majority of them use banking and mobile payment apps. So, the Rs 10 top-up was more of a convenience than an obligation and the raised amount could bring higher benefits.
While doing the same kind of reversion earlier, Ntc also changed its minimum recharge amount quietly to Rs 20.
While the opinion will remain divisive, the condition has come live and you need to recharge your Ncell SIM with at least Rs 50. Don’t forget to share how you feel about this in our comments below.
