Learning how to port your number using MNP (Mobile Number Portability) is the single most empowering thing a mobile user in India can do, because it removes the only real switching cost: losing the number everyone knows you by. Whether you are chasing better coverage, a cheaper plan or better service, the MNP process is standardised by TRAI and works the same way whether you are moving to or from Jio, Airtel, Vi or BSNL. This step-by-step guide covers the full process, the documents you need, the timelines, and the pitfalls that cause port requests to get rejected.
What MNP Is and When You Can Use It
MNP lets you keep your existing mobile number while changing your service provider. It is regulated by TRAI, and as of early 2026 the process typically completes within a few working days for most requests (intra-circle ports are generally faster than moving your number to another telecom circle). You can port from prepaid to postpaid or vice versa at the same time. The main eligibility conditions are simple: your number should normally have been active with the current operator for at least 90 days, your postpaid bills (if any) must be paid, and the number must not be under a pending ownership change or legal hold.
Before You Port: A Short Preparation Checklist
A few minutes of preparation prevents most porting failures. Confirm your current SIM can send SMS (the porting code travels by SMS, so a fully expired prepaid pack blocks the first step — a small recharge fixes this). Clear any unpaid postpaid dues. Keep your identity document handy for the new operator’s KYC. And critically, test the destination network first: porting to an operator whose signal is weak at your home solves nothing. Our Jio vs Airtel comparison explains how to run a proper one-week coverage test before committing.
Keep these items ready before you begin:
- An active SIM that can send SMS to 1900
- Identity proof accepted for KYC (Aadhaar is the fastest route)
- Cleared postpaid dues and a copy of the last bill, if applicable
- An authorisation letter if the number is registered to a company
- A tested destination network you are confident about
- Timing: your current pack close to expiry, so no paid benefits are wasted
How to Port Your Number: Step by Step
Step 1: Generate your UPC code
Send an SMS with the text PORT followed by a space and your 10-digit mobile number to 1900. You will receive a Unique Porting Code (UPC) by SMS. The UPC is valid for a limited window — typically four days in most circles (longer in some regions such as Jammu & Kashmir and the North East) — so generate it only when you are ready to act.
Step 2: Visit the new operator with your UPC and ID
Take the UPC, your identity proof and your current SIM’s number to the new operator’s store, or use their app or website; all major operators now support doorstep SIM delivery with home KYC in many cities. You will fill the porting form (CAF) and complete verification, usually via Aadhaar-based eKYC or another accepted document.
Step 3: Pay for your first plan and collect the new SIM
You will choose and pay for a plan on the new network. The new SIM stays inactive until the port executes, so keep using your old SIM normally in the meantime.
Step 4: Wait for the porting SMS and the switchover window
You will receive messages confirming the porting date and time. The actual switchover usually happens at night and involves a brief no-service window, commonly a couple of hours. When your old SIM loses signal, insert the new SIM.
Step 5: Activate and verify
Complete tele-verification if prompted, confirm calls and data work, re-enable Wi-Fi calling and VoLTE in settings, and update the SIM slot preferences on your dual-SIM phone. Your number is now live on the new network.
Why Port Requests Get Rejected
Most rejections trace back to a handful of causes: outstanding postpaid dues; a UPC that expired before submission; mismatched subscriber details between operators; a number less than 90 days old on the current network; or a pending request such as an ownership transfer. If your request is rejected, the SMS from 1900 states the reason category — fix the underlying issue and regenerate a fresh UPC. Corporate numbers need an authorisation letter from the organisation, which is the most commonly forgotten document.
After the Port: Settling In on the New Network
Give the new network a full billing cycle before judging it, then pick your long-term plan deliberately rather than continuing whatever starter pack the store sold you — the method in our recharge plan guide takes ten minutes and typically pays for itself immediately. If you moved for savings, consider the operator’s long-validity packs once you are confident in coverage; if you moved for quality, test the features you came for (5G, Wi-Fi calling, roaming behaviour) early, while your memory of the old network is fresh. And remember the 90-day rule resets: you cannot port again immediately, so choose carefully.
FAQ: Mobile Number Portability in India
Does porting cost anything?
TRAI caps the porting fee at a nominal amount, and in practice operators usually absorb it — you typically pay only for your first plan on the new network. There is no legitimate charge for generating a UPC.
Can I port while keeping my prepaid balance?
No — unused prepaid balance and pack benefits do not transfer to the new operator. Time your port for the end of your current pack’s validity to avoid wasting paid benefits.
Can I cancel a porting request?
Yes, you can withdraw the request within a short window after submission by contacting the new operator, though the exact cancellation process varies. If the UPC simply expires unused, nothing happens and your service continues unchanged.
