Emergency Ambulance Numbers in India: 108, 102, and 112 Explained
108, 102, or 112: which one to call in a medical emergency in India, and what each service actually covers.
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In doubt, call 112
India's single unified emergency number reaches police, fire, and ambulance services. Use it as your default whenever you're not sure which specific number applies.
India runs several emergency numbers at once, and knowing which one to call can save real time when it matters most.
The National Emergency Number (112)
112 is India's single, unified emergency number. It connects you to police, fire, and ambulance services through the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), and works by phone call, SMS, the '112 India' app, or a panic button on supported phones. If you're not sure which number applies to your situation, 112 is the safest default; the call taker will route you to the right service.
108: General Medical Emergencies
108 is the number most Indians associate with an ambulance. It's a state-run emergency medical response service, operated under different agencies and brand names depending on the state (commonly GVK EMRI or Ziqitza), and handles road accidents, cardiac events, trauma, and general medical emergencies.
102: Pregnant Women and Newborns
102 is a separate, dedicated free ambulance service specifically for pregnant women and newborns, run under the National Health Mission's Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK). If the emergency involves childbirth or a newborn, 102 is often the faster, purpose-built option in states where it's active.
Other Numbers Worth Knowing
A few more worth knowing: 100 is police, 101 is fire, and 104 is a general health advice and information helpline in several states, useful for non-emergency medical questions.
Coverage, call-answer speed, and vehicle availability vary a great deal by state and by how remote the location is; a number that responds in minutes in a metro area can take much longer in a rural district. If 108 or 102 doesn't connect quickly, 112 remains the fallback that reaches every emergency service through one system.
HelpIndiaBreathe doesn't operate any of these services. We're listing them because knowing who to call in the first few minutes of an emergency often matters more than anything that happens afterward.
Official sources
This guide is informational, not medical or legal advice. Rules and numbers change; always confirm current details with the official sources above. Questions about your own case? Contact our team.