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Glossary

1601-series numbers

1601-series numbers are Indian phone numbers starting with 1601, used for service and transactional calls alongside the 1600 series. In a first phase in August 2026, TRAI moved service and transactional calls from utilities, courier and logistics companies onto 1601 numbers. Under TRAI's 2026 amendment, 1601 numbers must not be flagged as spam to recipients.

How it works on Indian calls

The 1601 series extends the service and transactional range that the 1600 series started. Two TRAI documents set it up:

  • The Third Amendment to the TCCCPR, announced by PIB on 18 September 2026 (release ID 2311989), lists 1601xx with 1600xx as the series for service and transactional calls. It says these numbers must not be flagged as spam to recipients, and that caller-ID and spam apps may not block or spam-tag them wholesale.
  • TRAI's August 2026 direction on the 1601 series, in its first phase, moves service and transactional calls from utilities, courier companies and logistics companies onto 1601 numbers.

A delivery-update call from a courier firm is a typical 1601 call: the person ordered something, and the call tells them when it will arrive or asks them to confirm the address.

As of 20 October 2026, TRAI hadn't named a series for the service calls other online sellers make, such as cash-on-delivery confirmation. If your sector isn't named yet, ask your operator which series to use, and keep its answer in writing.

Why it matters

Logistics and utility calls are often time-sensitive: a missed delivery call can mean a failed delivery. Calling from the series TRAI has named for your sector keeps those calls within the rules, and out of blanket spam tagging by caller-ID apps.

How Kallix handles it

Kallix helps you get 1601-series numbers through Vobiz, issued in your business's name, for the sectors whose service and transactional calls must use them, and declares automated (A2P) calling for those numbers. Run delivery updates and other service calls as their own campaigns, apart from any promotional calls on the 140 series.

TRAI rules for AI calls

Common questions.

More on the FAQ page, or write to us.

In Phase I, TRAI's August 2026 direction covers service and transactional calls from utilities, courier companies and logistics companies. Other sectors may be named later, so check with your operator.

As of 20 October 2026, no series had been named for e-commerce service calls such as cash-on-delivery confirmation. Ask your operator which series to use, and keep its answer in writing.

Yes. Kallix helps you get 1601 and 1600-series numbers through Vobiz, issued in your business's name, and provides 140-series and regional numbers for inbound lines, and declares automated calling for the numbers it provides.

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