Army Headquarters Launches Nationwide Emergency Helpline for Serving and Retired Defence Personnel.
New Delhi:
In a major initiative aimed at enhancing the safety and welfare of armed forces personnel, the Army Headquarters under the Ministry of Defence has established a dedicated emergency helpline — 155306 — to provide immediate relief and assistance to serving soldiers and retired veterans across India. This helpline will function as a military counterpart to the civil emergency number 100, catering exclusively to defence personnel in times of crisis.
This important development was announced by Captain Jagdish Verma (Retd), Chairman of the United Front of Ex-servicemen (JCOs & OR), Himachal Pradesh, through an official press release.
According to Capt Verma, the helpline has been set up under the aegis of the Military Police at the Army Headquarters, and will be operational 24×7, manned by professionally trained personnel, including members of the Women Military Police. The helpline features call recording and real-time response tracking through a Call Management System (CMS).
Purpose and Functionality
The helpline is designed to assist in emergency situations such as:
- Road traffic accidents
- Medical emergencies
- Natural disasters
- Serious criminal incidents
- Situations requiring immediate intervention
Defence personnel — both serving and retired — can dial 155306 directly without any prefix from any location in India using any major service provider, including BSNL, Jio, and Airtel.
Upon calling, the user will be prompted to provide key information such as:
- Name and rank
- Location
- Service number (if applicable)
- Brief description of the incident
Based on the information received, the helpline staff will coordinate with the nearest Military Police unit or local civil police station to ensure prompt action. The CMS will generate a digital response form for each case, enabling tracking and follow-up until the issue is resolved.
Scope and Limitations
While the helpline is a significant step toward providing urgent help, certain issues will not be handled through this number, such as:
- Land or property disputes
- Marital or family discord
- Toll exemptions
- Legal or sub judice matters
- Routine administrative queries
- Minor non-emergency incidents
Nationwide Awareness Campaign
The Ministry of Defence has directed that wide and repeated publicity of the helpline be undertaken to ensure maximum awareness among defence personnel. The aim is to familiarize all serving members and veterans with the number and ensure they are able to access support promptly during emergencies.
A copy of the official directive from the Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence, containing detailed instructions and operational guidelines, has also been made available for reference.
“This helpline is a vital lifeline for our defence fraternity, ensuring they receive timely assistance in times of need,” Capt Jagdish Verma emphasized.
This initiative marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to strengthen the support system for India’s defence community, both active and retired, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to their welfare and security.
