In the age of mobile phones and instant messaging apps, you might wonder if Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD) codes are still relevant in India. The answer is a resounding yes. These three to five-digit codes are crucial for dialling landline numbers from a mobile phone or another landline in a different city. This comprehensive guide will help you easily find the right STD code in India for 2026, complete with a city-wise list for your convenience. Whether you are making a business call, contacting a government office, or reaching out to family in another part of the country, knowing the correct STD code is essential for connecting your call successfully.
Your Quick Guide to Finding Indian STD Codes
To find the STD code for any city in India, you can use online search directories, telecom provider websites, or refer to a comprehensive city-wise list. The STD code, also known as an area code, must be prefixed with a ‘0’ before dialling the landline number. For example, to call a number in Delhi from Mumbai, you would dial 011 followed by the eight-digit phone number.
What Are STD Codes and Why Do They Matter in 2026?
STD codes are unique numerical prefixes assigned to specific geographic areas or cities within India’s telecommunication network. They were introduced to automate long-distance calls, allowing callers to connect directly without operator assistance. Despite the mobile revolution, landlines remain a primary mode of communication for many businesses, government institutions, and households.
Here’s why they are still important:
- Business Communication: Most companies, from large corporations to small local businesses, operate with landline numbers. For B2B and customer service calls, STD codes are indispensable.
- Reaching Government Offices: Contacting government departments, PSUs, and emergency services often requires dialling a landline number.
- Reliability: Landlines offer a stable and reliable connection, which is often preferred for important conversations, especially in areas with poor mobile network coverage.
- Identity Verification: Some online services and verification processes use landline numbers, which are tied to a physical address, adding a layer of security.
How to Use an STD Code Correctly
Using an STD code is a straightforward process. Follow these simple steps to make a long-distance call within India:
- Identify the City: Know the city or area of the person or business you want to call.
- Find the STD Code: Use the lists provided in this guide or an online search to find the correct code for that city.
- Prefix with ‘0’: Before dialling the actual landline number, you must add a ‘0’ before the STD code. This ‘0’ indicates to the network that you are making a domestic long-distance call.
- Dial the Number: After dialling ‘0’ and the STD code, dial the person’s landline number.
For example, to call a number in Jaipur (STD code 141) from another city, you would dial: 0 – 141 – [Landline Number]. For more information on various codes used across India, you might find our complete PIN code directory helpful.
City-Wise STD Code List for Major Indian Cities
To make your search easier, we have compiled a table of STD codes for major metropolitan and Tier-I cities in India. This list is your go-to reference for quick lookups.
| City | State/Union Territory | STD Code |
| Delhi | Delhi | 011 |
| Mumbai | Maharashtra | 022 |
| Kolkata | West Bengal | 033 |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu | 044 |
| Bangalore | Karnataka | 080 |
| Hyderabad | Telangana | 040 |
| Ahmedabad | Gujarat | 079 |
| Pune | Maharashtra | 020 |
| Jaipur | Rajasthan | 0141 |
| Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | 0522 |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh | 0172 |
| Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | 0755 |
| Patna | Bihar | 0612 |
| Guwahati | Assam | 0361 |
Comprehensive STD Code Directory for Other Important Cities
India is a vast country with thousands of cities and towns, each with its own unique STD code. Below is an extended list covering other important Tier-II and Tier-III cities across different states.
STD Codes for Cities in North India
| City | State | STD Code |
| Agra | Uttar Pradesh | 0562 |
| Kanpur | Uttar Pradesh | 0512 |
| Varanasi | Uttar Pradesh | 0542 |
| Gurgaon | Haryana | 0124 |
| Faridabad | Haryana | 0129 |
| Shimla | Himachal Pradesh | 0177 |
| Jammu | Jammu & Kashmir | 0191 |
| Srinagar | Jammu & Kashmir | 0194 |
| Amritsar | Punjab | 0183 |
| Ludhiana | Punjab | 0161 |
| Dehradun | Uttarakhand | 0135 |
STD Codes for Cities in West India
| City | State | STD Code |
| Surat | Gujarat | 0261 |
| Vadodara | Gujarat | 0265 |
| Nagpur | Maharashtra | 0712 |
| Nashik | Maharashtra | 0253 |
| Panaji | Goa | 0832 |
| Indore | Madhya Pradesh | 0731 |
| Raipur | Chhattisgarh | 0771 |
STD Codes for Cities in South India
| City | State | STD Code |
| Coimbatore | Tamil Nadu | 0422 |
| Madurai | Tamil Nadu | 0452 |
| Mysore | Karnataka | 0821 |
| Mangalore | Karnataka | 0824 |
| Visakhapatnam | Andhra Pradesh | 0891 |
| Vijayawada | Andhra Pradesh | 0866 |
| Kochi | Kerala | 0484 |
| Trivandrum | Kerala | 0471 |
STD Codes for Cities in East India
| City | State | STD Code |
| Bhubaneswar | Odisha | 0674 |
| Puri | Odisha | 06752 |
| Ranchi | Jharkhand | 0651 |
| Jamshedpur | Jharkhand | 0657 |
| Shillong | Meghalaya | 0364 |
| Agartala | Tripura | 0381 |
Frequently Asked Questions About STD Codes
What is the difference between an STD code and a PIN code?
An STD code is used for telecommunication to identify a specific geographic area for making long-distance phone calls. In contrast, a PIN (Postal Index Number) code is a six-digit code used by India Post to identify a specific post office for sorting and delivering mail accurately.
Do I need to dial the STD code for a local call?
No, you do not need to dial the STD code when making a local call (a call within the same city or geographic area). You only need to dial the landline number directly. The STD code is required only for calls made from outside that specific area.
How are STD codes structured in India?
STD codes in India, known as NGN (National Group Numbering) codes, are allocated by the Department of Telecommunications. The length of the code combined with the landline number is always ten digits. For example, major cities have shorter STD codes (e.g., Delhi 011) and longer phone numbers, while smaller towns may have longer STD codes and shorter phone numbers.
Can I find a person’s location from their STD code?
Yes, an STD code corresponds to a specific geographical area, city, or town. By knowing the STD code, you can identify the location where the landline number is registered. This can be very useful for verifying the origin of a call. Just as you might need to find a bank’s IFSC code for a transaction, an STD code is key for telecommunication.
Are STD codes the same for all telecom operators?
Yes, STD codes are uniform across all telecom service providers in India, whether it is BSNL, MTNL, Airtel, or any other landline service provider. The code is assigned to the geographical area, not the service operator, ensuring consistency nationwide.
The Future of STD Codes in a Digital India
While mobile communication dominates, the underlying infrastructure of the Indian telecom network, including the systematic allocation of STD codes, remains robust. These codes are integrated into digital systems, routing calls efficiently across the country. As long as landlines serve a purpose in official and business communications, understanding how to find and use STD codes will be a valuable skill. They are a fundamental part of the system that keeps India connected, from the largest metros to the smallest towns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the full form of STD in telecommunication?
In the context of Indian telecommunication, STD stands for Subscriber Trunk Dialling. It is the system that allows subscribers to dial trunk calls (long-distance calls) directly without the need for operator assistance. This system uses unique codes for each city or area.
How many digits are in an Indian STD code?
Indian STD codes can range from two to five digits. Major metropolitan cities typically have shorter two or three-digit codes, while smaller towns and rural areas have longer four or five-digit codes to accommodate the national numbering plan.
Is ‘0’ a part of the STD code?
No, the leading ‘0’ is not technically part of the STD code itself. It is a prefix that you must dial before the STD code to indicate to the telephone network that you are making a domestic long-distance call within India.
Can I find an STD code list on a government website?
Yes, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Ministry of Communications, Government of India, maintains the official National Numbering Plan, which includes the list of all STD codes. You can often find this information on their official website.
Are STD codes still used for mobile phones?
No, you do not use STD codes when calling from one mobile number to another within India. Mobile numbers are 10 digits long and are not tied to a specific geographic STD code, allowing for nationwide mobility and connectivity without area prefixes.