India GOIf Something Goes Wrong
Stay calm: one short number for everything, and a plan for each situation.
You are unlikely to ever need this whole page at once, but every item on it has helped someone at some point. Keep it in your head as a single thought: in India there's one short number for everything, 112, and one hotline with support in multiple languages (availability may vary), 1363. Everything else is below, by scenario.
Numbers that actually work
- 112: the single emergency number: police, ambulance, fire. It works nationwide, and there's a "112 India" app with an SOS button.
- 1363: the Ministry of Tourism helpline, 24/7 (full number 1800-11-1363), with support in multiple languages; actual operator wait times can vary.
- 181: the national women's helpline (in Delhi the police also run 1091); 1098: the child helpline.
- 108/102: regional medical-help numbers that are still in use in many states. The single nationwide option is 112.
- Tourist Police operate in many tourist states and cities (Delhi, Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan, UP and others), but the format varies: sometimes dedicated posts, sometimes units within the regular police. No post nearby? Call 112 or 1363.
Lost passport
Three steps, in this order. 1) Report the loss to the police and get an official document: an FIR, a lost report, or a written acknowledgement of your complaint. The format depends on the state and the circumstances. 2) Your country's embassy or consulate: they'll issue an emergency travel document for your return. 3) An exit permit: with the new document, the immigration service (the e-FRRO portal, indianfrro.gov.in) issues an exit permit. Timelines and procedure depend on your citizenship and the office; don't buy a non-refundable ticket until the permit is in hand. In advance: keep cloud photos of your passport, visa and entry stamp, and save your embassy's contacts before the trip (mea.gov.in → Diplomatic Missions in India).
Phone stolen
Report it to the police (a complaint/report, per the local procedure) and block the IMEI on the government portal Sanchar Saathi / CEIR (ceir.gov.in): this stops the phone being used on Indian mobile networks (Wi-Fi and use outside India aren't affected). Then get a duplicate SIM from your operator and sign in to your banking apps from a new device. In advance: turn on Find My / Find Hub and note down your IMEI (dial *#06#).
Out of money / card stolen
Block the card through your bank's app. Check in advance whether you can log in to your banking app over Wi-Fi without a fresh SMS code, and save a separate bank number for emergency card blocking. An emergency transfer from home: Western Union / Ria pay out cash against your passport at thousands of locations. For a theft claim your insurer will need that same FIR, so file it the day it happens.
Medical emergency
If life is at risk (loss of consciousness, heavy bleeding, chest pain, serious injury) call 112/108: the crew can begin care on the way. Getting to a clinic yourself makes sense only when your condition is stable, and preferably after calling your insurance assistance line; they'll direct you to a partner clinic. Big cities have private networks (Apollo, Fortis, Max, Manipal) with an international desk; confirm the procedure and payment method with your assistance line in advance, and keep all receipts.
What a FIR is
A FIR (First Information Report) is the official police record of an incident. For insurance and for replacing documents you need an official police document; this may be an FIR or another registered report. It depends on the type of incident and the local procedure. Ask for a stamped copy; it's yours by right.