How to Port Your Mobile Number in India (MNP Step by Step)

To port your mobile number in India, send an SMS reading PORT, a space, and your 10-digit mobile number to 1900 — you will get a Unique Porting Code (UPC), which you then submit with your KYC documents to the new operator you want to move to. Mobile Number Portability (MNP) is regulated by TRAI and lets you keep your existing number while switching networks, on both prepaid and postpaid. Here is the current step-by-step process, timelines and the fine print.

Step 1: Get your UPC (SMS PORT to 1900)

From the number you want to port, send an SMS: type PORT, then a space, then your 10-digit mobile number, and send it to 1900. Within moments you receive a Unique Porting Code (UPC) by SMS, usually from 1901. This code is your permission to switch and is time-limited, so plan to use it quickly. The message costs the price of a normal SMS, and you can request the code as many times as you need if an earlier one lapses before you complete the process.

The UPC is valid for 4 days in most of the country. In the Jammu & Kashmir, Assam and North East licensed service areas it stays valid for up to 30 days. If it expires, simply request a fresh one.

Step 2: Choose your new operator and plan

Decide which network you want — Jio, Airtel, Vi or BSNL — and pick the plan that suits you. It is worth comparing coverage in your area and, if you want faster data, checking whether your handset and the plan support 5G; see how to check if your phone supports 5G in India. Have your UPC ready before you approach the new operator, since it is on the clock.

Step 3: Submit your UPC and KYC

Give the UPC to your new operator along with valid KYC. There are three common ways to do this now:

• Store / authorised retailer: carry your UPC and ID proof (Aadhaar or another accepted document), fill the porting form and Customer Acquisition Form (CAF), and collect a new SIM.
• Doorstep delivery: most operators let you order a new SIM through their website or app; an agent brings it home and completes KYC there.
• Operator app / website: start the port online, enter your UPC, complete digital KYC, and choose a physical SIM or an eSIM.

You will pay a small porting charge — around Rs 6.46 as set by TRAI.

How long porting takes

Once your request is accepted, the switch usually completes within a few working days. Ports within the same telecom circle are generally quicker than inter-circle ports, which can take a little longer, and requests in the special J&K, Assam and North East areas follow their own longer timelines. Crucially, your current SIM keeps working the whole time — service moves to the new network only at the moment of activation, often notified to you in advance so you can insert the new SIM. There is typically a short outage of a couple of hours during the changeover, frequently scheduled overnight, after which you do a quick tele-verification call to activate the new SIM. If your porting date passes with no update, contact the new operator with your request reference rather than raising a fresh request.

Eligibility and the porting fee

To be eligible you must have been active on your current network for at least 90 days. Postpaid customers must also clear all outstanding dues for bills already generated before the request can go through. Prepaid balance, however, does not carry over — any remaining prepaid balance or validity on the old network is forfeited, so time your port near the end of a recharge cycle.

A few more points worth knowing. Porting is available for both prepaid and postpaid connections, and you can port again only after 90 days on the new network. When you move from postpaid to prepaid (or vice versa) during a port, ask the new operator to set that up as part of the same request. If you are also moving to a new handset, this is a natural moment to confirm your phone and chosen plan support 5G in your city, since coverage and band support differ by operator.

How to cancel a port, and common mistakes to avoid

Changed your mind? You can withdraw the request within 24 hours of submitting it by sending an SMS to 1900 as instructed by your operator. A few things to watch: do not let the UPC expire before submitting it, since an expired code means starting over; make sure the KYC name and address you give match your ID exactly, or the request can be rejected; and clear any postpaid dues first, as unpaid bills are the most common reason a port fails. Keep your old SIM in the phone until the new one activates. Once you are on the new network, it is a good moment to note down your handset’s IMEI number and, if you have a new phone too, to transfer your data from the old Android.