Airtel Customer Care Contact Numbers: Complete, Up-to-Date Guide (India)

Quick reference: the Airtel India numbers that work

For Airtel mobile, broadband (Xstream Fiber), DTH (Digital TV), and landline customers in India, a few short codes and helplines cover nearly every need. These are the numbers Airtel actively uses across circles (states/regions). Save them in your phone and keep your Airtel number/account ID handy before you call.

• 121 — Airtel Customer Care (from an Airtel mobile or Airtel landline). General queries, plan/recharge help, broadband/DTH support, SIM/PUK assistance. Typically available 24×7.
• 198 — Complaints Helpline (from an Airtel number). For network issues, billing disputes, wrongful VAS charges, service failures. Toll-free.
• 1909 — National DND (Do Not Disturb) and unsolicited commercial communication complaints (from any operator in India). IVR and SMS-based activation/deactivation of DND and spam reporting.
• *121# — USSD self-care for offers, plan info, recharge options, and quick fixes; works without data.
• *123# — USSD to check prepaid balance and validity (Airtel mobile).
• 1900 — Mobile Number Portability (MNP) code via SMS (“PORT <10-digit-number>” to 1900) if you plan to port in/out of Airtel.

If you are calling from a non-Airtel number and need to reach Airtel care, use the web “Contact Us” directory to find your circle-specific number: https://www.airtel.in/support/contact-us. Airtel periodically updates regional numbers and IVR flows; the website will always reflect the latest routing and timings.

What each number is for, and what it may cost

Dial 121 for most day-to-day needs: prepaid/postpaid plan details, upgrades to Airtel Black bundles, broadband speed troubleshooting, DTH pack changes, and SIM services (lost SIM, PUK, eSIM activation guidance). IVR options cover self-service first; you can opt to speak to an agent by following the prompts. In many circles, IVR self-service is free, while connecting to a live agent may be chargeable as per your plan; check your circle’s advisory during the call.

Use 198 when you have a complaint that needs registration and a formal Service Request (SR) ID—examples include call drop hotspots, persistent low data speeds, erroneous billing, or value-added services (VAS) activated without consent. 198 is toll-free from Airtel numbers and is designed for issue logging under the complaint category, which makes tracking and escalation easier.

Use 1909 for DND and spam control. You can activate full or partial DND and also report unsolicited commercial communication (UCC) by following IVR prompts or via SMS. For quick balance checks, offers, and account actions without talking to an agent, dial *121# or *123#; USSD works on basic phones and smartphones and avoids data usage.

Practical steps to reach the right agent and get faster resolution

Have these details ready: your Airtel mobile/landline number or Customer ID, last recharge/last bill date and amount, registered ID proof (for KYC verification), and the precise time/location of any network issue (e.g., “03 Aug 2025, ~6:20 pm, PIN 560001 near MG Road, Bengaluru”). For broadband/DTH, note your service ID, router/set-top box model, and whether you have power/backups and LED indicators on the device.

When calling 121, choose your language, then pick the product (mobile/postpaid, prepaid, broadband, DTH). If your query is not resolved by IVR self-care, select the option to talk to an executive. Clearly ask for an SR (Service Request) or complaint ID before you end the call. Airtel agents can also schedule technician visits for broadband/DTH; request a time window and the technician’s contact number if available.

If the issue impacts multiple users at your location (e.g., an area-wide outage), specify nearby landmark, building name, and PIN code. For billing disputes, state the billed amount, period (e.g., “Apr 2025 cycle”), and the discrepancy you see (e.g., “international roaming not opted but charged Rs 999 on 17 Apr 2025”). Keep screenshots or invoice PDFs ready if you plan to follow up via the Airtel Thanks app or web support.

Digital support: Airtel Thanks app, web, and social

The Airtel Thanks app (Android/iOS) is the fastest non-voice channel for most tasks: you can raise and track SRs, change DTH packs, download bills, check data usage, manage Airtel Black, and pay/recharge. The app preserves a history of interactions with time stamps, which is useful for escalations. For prepaid users, the app’s plan recommendation and offers sections often mirror USSD *121# but add richer details and cashback/partners.

On the web, start with https://www.airtel.in/support for FAQs, outage advisories, and chat. The “Contact Us” page lists circle-specific numbers and office addresses. If you must submit documents (ID proof for SIM replacement, address proof for shifting broadband), upload through official in-app/web flows only—avoid sharing over email or social DMs unless the channel is verified by Airtel within the app or website session.

Social media (e.g., X/Twitter handles and Facebook pages) can acknowledge issues quickly, but for anything that needs KYC or account actions, agents will typically redirect you to 121, 198, or in-app secure forms. Use social channels to flag public, non-PII details and switch to authenticated channels for account-specific steps.

Escalation, nodal/appellate avenues, and record-keeping

Every time you log a complaint via 198 or the app, capture the SR/complaint ID and the promised resolution date/time. If the issue is not resolved within the communicated timeline or the resolution is unsatisfactory, escalate through Airtel’s grievance route for your circle via https://www.airtel.in/support/complaints. You will need the SR ID, dates of prior interactions, and a brief summary of the problem and expectation (refund amount, technical fix, plan correction, etc.).

Airtel publishes circle-wise Nodal/Grievance Officer and Appellate Authority details on the complaints page. Escalations typically require that you first raise and attempt resolution through regular care (121/198/app). When you file an appeal, attach call logs, screenshots, bills, speed tests, and technician visit notes as applicable. Maintain a single consolidated timeline for clarity; it improves response quality and speed.

If you believe your issue is regulatory in nature (e.g., persistent UCC despite DND, legitimate MNP rejections), you may additionally approach the Department of Telecommunications’ public grievance portal at https://pgportal.gov.in after following Airtel’s internal escalation path. Keep all SR IDs and documentary evidence ready before you do so.

Airtel corporate addresses (for reference only)

Consumer support is handled via 121/198, the Airtel Thanks app, and the web pages listed above. Physical visits to corporate offices are not required for customer care. For official correspondence, Airtel lists the following well-known locations in India: Airtel Center, Plot No. 16, Udyog Vihar, Phase IV, Gurugram, Haryana 122015; and Bharti Crescent, 1, Nelson Mandela Road, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070. Always verify the latest addresses on Airtel’s website before sending documents.

If you receive any communication asking you to courier SIMs, OTPs, or KYC details to a private address or to transfer money to personal accounts, treat it as fraudulent. Airtel will never ask you to reveal OTPs over the phone or remote-control your device to “process refunds.” Use only the official numbers (121, 198, 1909), the Airtel Thanks app, and pages under the airtel.in domain.

Outside India: Airtel Africa and other markets

Airtel operates in multiple African countries under Airtel Africa. Customer care short codes and helplines vary by country and regulator. For accurate local numbers, use the country selector on the Airtel Africa website: https://airtel.africa and navigate to the Support/Contact section for your market (e.g., Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda). Local care codes are often 24×7 and include USSD self-care similar to India, but the exact codes differ.

If you are roaming internationally on an Indian Airtel SIM, 121 and 198 remain reachable in most cases as standard customer care numbers when you are connected to a roaming network and voice calling is allowed by your pack. For billing-sensitive actions abroad, prefer the Airtel Thanks app over voice if you are on a data pack; the app uses minimal data for chat and ticketing.

What to prepare before you call or chat (saves minutes and repeat follow-ups)

• Identity and account specifics: Airtel number/Customer ID, registered name, last recharge/bill details, and OTP-capable phone for verification.
• Issue detail: exact times/locations (for network), affected services (voice/SMS/data/broadband/DTH), error messages, speed test screenshots (date/time-stamped).
• Resolution ask: refund amount, waiver, plan change, technician visit, SIM block/replacement, porting request, or DND/UCC action; plus your preferred contact time.

With these on hand, most customer care interactions complete in a single call or a single in-app ticket cycle, and escalations—if needed—move faster with better outcomes.