Why Indian mobile numbers start with +91: The story behind the code
Ever wondered why India’s phone numbers always start with +91? The answer lies in an international system managed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a United Nations agency responsible for global telecommunications. When country calling codes were first established, the ITU divided the world into geographic zones, assigning each region specific number ranges. India falls into the 9th zone, which covers South, Central, and West Asia as well as the Middle East. Within this system, India was given the two-digit code +91. The code ensures seamless international dialing and reflects India’s population size and economic significance.
The ITU and global country codes
