Safety Essential

Emergency Numbers in India Every Foreigner Must Save

Jan 21, 2026 3 min read Expatly Team
Emergency Assistance

The All-in-One Number: 112

The single most important number to remember in India is 112. This is the equivalent of 911 (USA) or 999 (UK). It connects you to Police, Fire, and Ambulance services nationwide.

While 112 is the universal standard now, specific direct lines still work and can sometimes look faster. Here is your essential contact list to screenshot and save.

Primary Emergency Contacts

National Emergency Number
Police, Fire, Ambulance
112
Police (Direct)
Direct line to local police control room
100
Ambulance (Medical)
Government ambulance service
102
Fire Brigade
Fire emergency
101

Tourist Specific Helplines

India has a dedicated 24x7 toll-free tourist helpline available in 10+ international languages including English, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

Tourist Helpline (24x7)
Information & distress
1363

Medical Emergencies

While 102 connects to government ambulances, private hospitals often have better fleets in metro cities.

Expatly Tip: In a medical emergency, if you are able to move, it is often faster to take an Uber or taxi to the nearest private hospital than wait for an ambulance in traffic. Trust your location's traffic density.

Embassy Contacts

Always keep the number of your country's embassy stored. They can verify your identity if you lose your passport.