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India · Emergency numbers

Emergency numbers in India: 112 and the agencies to know

112 is India's single emergency number for police, fire and medical help, by call, SMS, e-mail, panic button or app. Plus the NDMA Control Room.

Updated 2026-10-20· 5 official sources

Short answer. 112 is India's single emergency number, run as the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), for police, fire and medical emergencies 12. It can be reached by call, SMS, e-mail, panic button and the 112 India app 12. For disaster coordination, the National Disaster Management Authority runs a control room in New Delhi: +91-11-26701728 3.

Which number do I call in an emergency in India?

Number Service
112 Single emergency number (ERSS): police, fire, medical 12
+91-11-26701728 NDMA Control Room, New Delhi; e-mail controlroom@ndma.gov.in 3

The pan-India 112 number was launched in February 2019 2. Besides a voice call, ERSS accepts SMS, e-mail, a panic button and the 112 India app 12.

The NDMA Control Room is a national coordination point, not a substitute for 112 when you need police, fire or an ambulance.

Does 112 work everywhere in India?

In February 2020, ERSS-112 was operational in 28 States and Union Territories, with all States and UTs committed to it 1. A more recent official coverage figure was not retrieved. If you are travelling or have just moved, check with the local police or district administration which numbers work in your area.

Which agencies are responsible in a disaster?

  • National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), ndma.gov.in: national guidance and the SACHET alert portal 3.
  • National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
  • Ministry of Home Affairs: Directorate General Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards: civil defence.
  • Department of Telecommunications / C-DOT: the SACHET and Cell Broadcast alert systems 5.
  • District Magistrate / Collector: directs the off-site response to a nuclear emergency and runs the District Emergency Operations Centre 4.

How alerts reach you: alerts in India.

How should I keep these numbers?

Keep them where you can find them without a charged phone: on paper in your kit, alongside copies of important documents. Our family emergency plan guide explains how to agree on contacts and a meeting point with your household.

Frequently asked questions

What is the emergency number in India?

112, for police, fire and medical emergencies 12.

Can I text 112 in India?

Yes. ERSS-112 accepts SMS as well as calls, e-mail, a panic button and the 112 India app 12.

How do I contact NDMA?

The NDMA Control Room in New Delhi is on +91-11-26701728 and controlroom@ndma.gov.in 3.

Who is in charge locally during a disaster?

The district administration, under the District Magistrate or Collector, including the District Emergency Operations Centre 4.

Sources

  1. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs — Status of implementation of Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) (4 February 2020) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1601844 (accessed 2026-10-20)
  2. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs — Pan-India Emergency Number '112' launched (19 February 2019) — https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=188727 (accessed 2026-10-20)
  3. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) / C-DOT — SACHET - National Disaster Alert Portal (Dos and Don'ts; contact) — https://sachet.ndma.gov.in/DosDont (accessed 2026-10-20)
  4. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) — National Disaster Management Guidelines—Management of Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies (February 2009) — http://ndma.gov.in/images/guidelines/managementofnuclearradiologicalemergencies.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20; checked on archived copy https://web.archive.org/web/20171025221946/http://ndma.gov.in/images/guidelines/managementofnuclearradiologicalemergencies.pdf)
  5. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Communications — Cell Broadcast System (CBS) Launched (2 May 2026) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2257499 (accessed 2026-10-20)

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Sources

  1. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs · Status of implementation of Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) (4 February 2020) checked 2026-10-20
  2. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs · Pan-India Emergency Number '112' launched (19 February 2019) checked 2026-10-20
  3. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) / C-DOT · SACHET - National Disaster Alert Portal (Dos and Don'ts; contact) checked 2026-10-20
  4. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) · National Disaster Management Guidelines—Management of Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies (February 2009), section 8.11.1 Iodine Prophylaxis checked 2026-10-20
  5. Press Information Bureau, Ministry of Communications · Cell Broadcast System (CBS) Launched by Union Minister of Communications Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia; System developed indigenously under the guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah (2 May 2026) checked 2026-10-20

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