In an emergency, searching the web for the right number wastes precious seconds. India runs multiple helplines — national unified 112, legacy 100 for police, 101 for fire, 108 for ambulance — plus highway, women, and child helplines. Knowing what each does, and having numbers saved offline, can make a real difference.
This guide lists essential emergency helpline numbers in India, explains ERSS 112, and shows how Desi Tools bundles government helplines with locators for hospitals, blood banks, police stations, and more.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 112 or your local emergency number now. Do not rely on an app alone.
National emergency number: 112 (ERSS)
112 is India’s Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) — a single number intended for police, fire, and medical emergencies. The call routes to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) based on your location.
When to dial 112
- Crime in progress or serious threat
- Road accident with injuries
- Fire or explosion
- Medical emergency needing ambulance coordination
- Any situation requiring urgent government response
Tips for calling 112
- Stay calm; state location clearly (landmark, highway km, city)
- Describe what happened and how many people need help
- Do not hang up until the operator tells you to
- If language is a barrier, say your state — many centres support regional languages
112 works from mobile phones even without SIM in many cases (subject to network). Save it on your home screen.
Legacy and parallel helplines
Many states still operate dedicated numbers alongside 112:
| Number | Service | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 112 | Unified emergency (ERSS) | National single number |
| 100 | Police | Still widely recognised |
| 101 | Fire brigade | Fire and rescue |
| 108 | Ambulance / EMS | Common in many states (GVK EMRI etc.) |
| 102 | Maternal / child ambulance | State-dependent |
| 1033 | Highway emergency | NHAI highway helpline |
| 1091 | Women helpline | Varies by state |
| 181 | Women support (some states) | Check local listing |
| 1098 | Childline | Children in distress |
| 1930 | Cyber fraud reporting | Financial cybercrime |
If one number is busy, try 112 or the specific service line. Desi Tools Govt Helplines tool consolidates reference numbers for offline lookup.
Ambulance: 108 and beyond
108 is the best-known ambulance number across many Indian states, operated by state governments and partners. It dispatches ambulances with basic life support and coordinates with hospitals.
For maternal and neonatal transport, 102 operates in several regions.
Use the Ambulance Numbers locator in Desi Tools for state-wise references and additional EMS contacts. In a medical emergency, call first — do not scroll the app while someone is unstable.
What to tell the ambulance dispatcher
- Exact address or GPS pin
- Patient age, consciousness, breathing status
- Known conditions (heart, asthma, trauma)
- Callback number
Police: 100 and 112
For theft, assault, road rage with threat, or serious law-and-order issues, reach police via 112 or 100.
The Police Stations tool in Desi Tools helps find station references — useful for non-urgent FIR guidance or knowing your local thana. For active crime, call helpline immediately.
Fire: 101
101 connects to fire brigade and rescue services for:
- Building fire
- LPG leak suspicion
- Vehicle fire
- Rescue from height or confined space
Give address, floor, and whether people are trapped. Fire Brigades in Desi Tools lists station references for planning — not for delaying a 101 call.
Highway and road accidents
On national highways, 1033 (NHAI) assists with breakdowns and accident reporting on NH corridors. Pair with Highway Accident Helplines for state and operator numbers.
If injured, 112 or 108 takes priority over property-only damage.
Women and child helplines
- 1098 — Childline for children in need of care and protection
- Women helplines — 1091 or 181 depending on state; verify locally
These are for counselling, rescue coordination, and referral — not a substitute for 112 when violence is imminent.
Other critical references in Desi Tools
Beyond dial numbers, emergencies need where to go:
| Tool | Use case |
|---|---|
| Govt Helplines | Toll-free government numbers |
| Ambulance Numbers | EMS contacts |
| Police Stations | Local thana reference |
| Fire Brigades | Fire station listing |
| Govt Hospitals | Public hospital directory |
| Blood Banks | Blood availability refs |
| Highway Accident Helplines | NH and state highway help |
| Fuel Stations | Late-night fuel on long trips |
| Electricity Dept | Power outage complaints |
These locators use curated public datasets (eRaktkosh, NHP, DISCOM refs, etc.). Data may change — confirm by phone when possible.
How to prepare before an emergency
- Save 112 on speed dial
- Install Desi Tools and open Emergency category once while online to cache references
- Share live location via WhatsApp or SMS when calling help on highways
- Medical ID on phone lock screen — blood group, allergies, emergency contact
- Family plan — teach children 112 and home address
Download Desi Tools free on Google Play and App Store. Most helpline reference tools work offline after install.
ERSS app and location
Some states promote ERSS apps and 112 India app for SOS with GPS. Native phone dialer SOS may also trigger emergency call on supported devices. Enable location services for faster dispatch.
What Desi Tools is — and is not
Desi Tools is a reference utility, not an emergency dispatch service. It does not send ambulances or police to your GPS pin. Official response always comes through government systems reached by phone.
Use the app to prepare and lookup. Use 112 to act.
Cyber and financial fraud
For online fraud, 1930 (national cyber crime helpline) and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal complement police FIR. Not life-threatening like fire, but time-sensitive for freezing accounts.
Mental health support
Suicide and mental health crises need compassionate response. Kiran (1800-599-0019) and state mental health helplines exist alongside local hospital psychiatry emergency. If immediate self-harm risk, call 112 or go to nearest emergency ward.
Practice sensible hygiene
- Prank calls to 108/112 divert ambulances from real patients — illegal and harmful
- Post-accident, move to safe shoulder if possible; use hazard triangles on highways
- Do not share OTP with anyone claiming to be police or bank on call
Explore emergency tools in the app
Open Desi Tools → Emergency Locators category:
- Helplines and ambulances first
- Hospitals and blood banks for planned needs (surgery, donation drives)
- Fuel and service centres for breakdowns
Combine with everyday tools — Fuel Cost, Pincode Lookup — for travel planning.
Stay ready
Memorise 112. Save 108 and 100. Install Desi Tools for offline helpline and locator reference across India.
Read the full app overview: 88 free India tools in one app.
Stay safe. Share this list with family and drivers in your household.
Frequently asked questions
What is the single emergency number in India?
112 is India's unified emergency number (ERSS). It connects you to police, fire, and medical help depending on your need and location. You can also use legacy numbers like 100, 101, and 108 in many states.
What is the difference between 108 and 102?
108 is widely used for ambulance and medical emergency response in many states. 102 is used for maternal and child ambulance services in several regions. Availability varies by state — check local listings.
Should I call 112 or 100 in an emergency?
Both aim to reach police/emergency response. 112 is the national ERSS number; 100 is the traditional police helpline still active in many areas. In danger, call whichever connects fastest.
Does Desi Tools replace calling emergency services?
No. Desi Tools lists helplines and locator references. In a life-threatening emergency, call 112 or local emergency numbers immediately.
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