140 and 160 series numbers (India)
Optional 140, 160 and 1601 series numbers for business calls in India, who can get them, and the documents to prepare.
India's telecom regulator (TRAI) has number series for business calls: 140 for sales, 160 and 1601 for service calls. People can tell a sales call from a bank alert before they answer.
These numbers are optional. Your current numbers keep working for all your calls. If you want one of these series as well, request it below.
Which series fits your calls
| Series | Use it for | Who can get it |
|---|---|---|
| 140 | Sales, offers and marketing calls | Any India-registered business |
| 160 (1600xx) | Service and transaction calls: OTPs, payment and account alerts, policy updates | Only businesses licensed by RBI, SEBI, IRDAI or PFRDA, and government bodies |
| 1601 | Service calls from all other businesses: deliveries, utility bills, reminders | Non-financial, non-government businesses. Utilities, courier and logistics come first |
"Licensed by RBI, SEBI, IRDAI or PFRDA" covers banks, NBFCs, payment and small finance banks, stockbrokers, mutual funds, insurers and pension funds. If your business is not one of these, you cannot get a 160 number. For service calls, a 1601 number is likely the right fit.
Documents for a 160 number
Prepare these for a Private Limited or Limited company:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Company PAN card
- GST certificate
- PAN card of the authorized signatory
- Authorization letter (see below)
- Address proof: an electricity bill, a telephone bill, or the GST certificate
Who signs
- If a director signs, you do not need an authorization letter. A copy of the MCA records showing them as a director is enough.
- If anyone else signs, an authorization letter is mandatory. Print it on the company letterhead and have a director sign it.
Consent before you call
Promotional calls in India need the person's consent before you call. Calling without it can lead to complaints against your number, and repeated complaints can get your business blocked by every operator. Keep a record of when and how each person agreed to be called.
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