Google has quietly rolled out a feature in India that could make a real difference during emergencies, especially in moments when callers are unable to clearly explain where they are. Called Emergency Location Service, or ELS, the feature is now live for the first time in the country, starting with Uttar Pradesh.
Built into Google’s Android operating system, ELS automatically shares a caller’s location with emergency services when they dial an emergency number such as 112. The idea is simple: in a crisis, every second matters, and knowing exactly where help is needed can save lives.
In many emergency situations, callers may be panicked, injured, or unable to speak clearly. In other cases, weak network connectivity can cause calls to drop before location details are shared. ELS is designed to bridge this gap by sending accurate location information the moment an emergency call or SMS is placed.
The service uses signals from GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks to pinpoint a caller’s location, often with an accuracy of up to 50 metres. It can also share additional helpful details, such as the device language, giving emergency responders better context when they receive a call.
Uttar Pradesh is the first Indian state to fully operationalise this feature. The system has been integrated by Uttar Pradesh Police and implemented with the help of Pert Telecom Solutions. ELS now supports the state’s 112 emergency response system, which handles millions of calls and SMS messages every day.
During pilot testing carried out over the past few months, the results were encouraging. According to Google, ELS helped identify locations for more than 20 million emergency calls and messages across the state. In several cases, the feature was able to share location details even when calls disconnected just seconds after being placed.
At the heart of ELS is Android’s machine-learning powered fused location system, which is designed to work across different environments, whether someone is calling from a busy city, a moving vehicle, or a remote area.
Google has also stressed that privacy has been a key focus while building the service. ELS is completely free and activates only during emergency calls or messages. It does not require users to download any additional app or use special hardware. Location data is sent directly from the phone to emergency services and is not collected or stored by Google.
For now, ELS is available on Android devices running version 6.0 and above in Uttar Pradesh. Google says it hopes more Indian states will adopt the technology in the coming months, strengthening emergency response systems and helping first responders reach people faster when they need help the most.
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