Techniques for mitigating data loss during autonomous system information (SI) reading by a user equipment (UE) are described. For autonomous SI reading, the UE may autonomously determine when to read system information from neighbor cells and may not inform a serving cell. In one design, the UE may autonomously select a SI reading gap for reading system information from a neighbor cell. During the SI reading gap, the UE may suspend reception of downlink transmission from the serving cell, receive system information from the neighbor cell, and maintain capability to transmit on the uplink to the serving cell. In one design, the serving cell may determine SI reading gaps autonomously selected by the UE for reading system information from neighbor cells. The serving cell may communicate with the UE by accounting for the SI reading gaps of the UE, e.g., may suspend communication with the UE during the SI reading gaps.