Last reviewed: 2025-01-07 · Reading time: 5 minutes
How do you dial India from Canada?
- Country code
+91- Mobile numbers
-
Example:
+91 98765 4321010 digits starting with 6, 7, 8, or 9. Numbers starting with 6 are newer allocations (mostly Jio).
- Landline numbers
-
Example:
+91 11 2345 6789Area code + local number. Delhi is 11, Mumbai is 22, Kolkata is 33, Chennai is 44, Bangalore is 80, Hyderabad is 40.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Including the leading 0—dial +91 11, not +91 011
- Not accounting for India's 30-minute timezone offset
- Calling during Indian afternoon rest time (2-5 PM IST)
When is the best time to call India?
Timezone: IST (UTC+5:30)—note the unusual 30-minute offset
Evening calls
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM IST (8:30 AM - 11:30 AM EST / 5:30 AM - 8:30 AM PST your time)
Your morning catches their evening. Good for family calls when everyone is home.
Morning calls
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM IST (8:30 PM - 10:30 PM EST / 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM PST (previous day) your time)
Your evening catches their morning. Quick check-in before their day starts.
What should you know about calling India?
India has excellent mobile coverage in cities and towns. Major carriers
are Jio (largest), Airtel, and Vi (Vodafone Idea). Landlines are rare—
most Indians use mobile exclusively. Jio revolutionized Indian telecom
with cheap data and calls since 2016.
Call quality to Indian cities is excellent. Rural areas may have
occasional hiccups. VoIP connections are clear and reliable across
the distance. If a call doesn't connect, wait 30 seconds and try again.
Cultural tips
Avoid calling between 2-5 PM IST—older relatives often rest during
afternoon hours. Sunday mornings (India time) work well for family calls.
Missed calls are commonly used as "call me back" signals. Expect warm,
lengthy conversations—Indian families value staying connected.
Holidays to know
Diwali (October/November) is the biggest holiday—5 days of celebrations.
Holi (March), and regional festivals affect availability. Wedding season
(November-February) means families travel for ceremonies. Republic Day
(Jan 26) and Independence Day (Aug 15) are national holidays.
Alternatives to phone calls
WhatsApp is extremely popular in India—the dominant messaging app across
all age groups. Many prefer WhatsApp voice or video calls over regular
phone calls. It's free over WiFi and offers better quality for video
calls with family.
Frequently asked questions
What's the time difference between Canada and India?
India (UTC+5:30) compared to Canadian time zones:
- Eastern (Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal): 10.5 hours ahead (9.5 during EDT)
- Central (Winnipeg): 11.5 hours ahead (10.5 during CDT)
- Mountain (Calgary, Edmonton): 12.5 hours ahead (11.5 during MDT)
- Pacific (Vancouver, Victoria): 13.5 hours ahead (12.5 during PDT)
Note the 30-minute offset—India uses UTC+5:30.
What are the area codes for major Indian cities?
Metro cities (2-digit codes):
Delhi: 11 · Mumbai: 22 · Kolkata: 33 · Chennai: 44 · Bangalore: 80 · Hyderabad: 40
Major cities (3-digit codes):
Ahmedabad: 79 · Pune: 20 · Jaipur: 141 · Lucknow: 522 · Chandigarh: 172 · Amritsar: 183 · Ludhiana: 161 · Jalandhar: 181 · Surat: 261 · Kochi: 484 · Coimbatore: 422 · Indore: 731 · Bhopal: 755 · Gurgaon: 124 · Noida: 120
How do I tell if an Indian number is mobile or landline?
Mobile: exactly 10 digits starting with 6, 7, 8, or 9.
Landline: area code (2-4 digits) + local number.
If it starts with 6-9 and is 10 digits total, it's mobile.
Mobile rates may differ from landline—ask your contact which type.
Why is India the fastest-growing source of Canadian immigrants?
India overtook China as Canada's top source country for permanent
residents. Express Entry favors skilled workers, and many Indian
students transition to permanent residency. Punjab has particularly
strong ties to British Columbia and Ontario. This drives high
call volume on this corridor.
What's the best time to call India from Vancouver?
From Vancouver (Pacific Time), call 5:30-8:30 AM to reach India at
7-10 PM (same day). Or call 5:30-7:30 PM to catch India at 7-9 AM
(next day). The 13.5-hour gap means your morning = their evening,
your evening = their morning.
Current rates
$0.07-$0.08/min
Rates vary by mobile vs landline. Billed per minute, rounded up.
View all rates →