Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A semi-independent discontinuous reception (DRX) group configuration for a user equipment (UE) configured to communicate on at least a primary DRX group (PDG) and a secondary DRX group (SDG). The UE and a base station may implement a DRX coupling rule to ensure the PDG is in an active mode when the SDG is in an active mode. In some examples, the PDG, the SDG, or both may be configured for DRX long cycles, DRX short cycles, or both. The UE may determine active or inactive mode timers of each semi-independent DRX group. In some cases, the UE may trigger or extend an active mode of the PDG when an SDG active mode is triggered. Additionally, the UE may end an active mode of the SDG when an active mode of the PDG expires.