Archive · 11 Jan 2026
Insurance Firms Must Use 1600-Series Numbers for Calls by Feb 15
The insurance regulator in India, IRDAI, has told all insurance companies and their partners to use only special phone numbers starting with 1600 for calling customers.
This change must be done by February 15, 2026.
The goal is to stop fake calls and make it easier for people to know which calls are real.
The government has been working on this plan for a while and has already made similar rules for banks and other financial companies.
Around 570 companies are already using these special numbers, and this will help keep customers safe from scams.
Insurance companies must use 1600-series numbers for customer service and transaction calls by February 15, 2026.
The move aims to reduce spam, prevent fraud, and help customers identify genuine calls.
TRAI issued the directive in December 2025, and IRDAI has asked insurers to comply strictly.
Insurers must stop using regular phone numbers for such calls after the deadline.
Non-compliance may result in action under TRAI’s rules for unregistered telemarketers.
- Who
- Insurance companies and intermediaries
- What
- Must use 1600-series numbers for customer service and transaction calls
- When
- By February 15, 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- To reduce spam and fraud, and help customers identify genuine calls
- Regulator
- IRDAI
- Deadline
- February 15, 2026
- Number Series
- 1600-series
- Purpose
- Reduce spam and fraud
- Entities Affected
- Insurance companies and intermediaries
- Regulatory Body
- TRAI
- Previous Implementation
- RBI, SEBI, PFRDA-regulated entities
- Current Adoption
- 570 entities using 3,000+ numbers