India: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Extreme
Overall verdict for India: Extreme. Below, the risk level of each of the 23 topics that get travellers fined or arrested. The exact rule, thresholds and penalties are in the LawsTravels app.
India: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Smoking, Religion
The 23 topics at a glance
Banned or serious riskAllowed, with limitsRelaxed
💊Drugs🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
💉MedicinesAllowed, with limits
🛡️Theft & scamsAllowed, with limits
🐾AnimalsAllowed, with limits
🚬Smoking🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
🍺AlcoholAllowed, with limits
❤️Sex & datingAllowed, with limits
👕Dress codeAllowed, with limits
🕌Religion🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
🚗DrivingBanned or serious risk
📷Photo & videoAllowed, with limits
🔪WeaponsBanned or serious risk
💶FinesAllowed, with limits
🛂Visa & customsAllowed, with limits
🤝BehaviorAllowed, with limits
⛓️Jail riskBanned or serious risk
⚖️ExtraditionAllowed, with limits
📡Internet & VPNAllowed, with limits
🚁DronesBanned or serious risk
💵Cash & currencyBanned or serious risk
🩺Vaccines & healthRelaxed
💻Remote workAllowed, with limits
🗣️Politics & protestAllowed, with limits
Get the exact rules for your trip
This page gives you the level. The app gives you the rule, the numbers and the penalties for India, offline, in 23 languages.
India: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
How India compares
With 8 of 23 topics flagged red, India is stricter than 5 of the 7 other countries in South & Central Asia (regional average: 6.9). Worldwide, India ranks #28 of 148 for strictness (tied with 8 other countries).
What sets it apart
- Cash & currency: flagged red here, while only 7 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Smoking: flagged red here, while only 16 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Religion: flagged red here, while only 22 of 148 countries are this strict.
What to watch most in India
- The vape is the real trap: several countries fine or arrest for simple possession, including devices with no nicotine.
- Indoor smoking bans now cover terraces, beaches, parks and bus stops in a growing number of cities.
- Throwing a butt on the ground is a separate, and often expensive, littering offence.
- Blasphemy remains a criminal offence in dozens of countries, sometimes with very heavy sentences.
- Proselytising — including handing out leaflets or discussing conversion — is illegal in several countries.
- Tattoos of religious figures have led to deportations and arrests in South-East Asia.
India at a glance
CapitalNew Delhi
CurrencyIndian Rupee (INR)
LanguageHindi, English
Emergency number112
Driving sideLeft
Mains voltage230 V
Calling code+91
Plug typesC · D
Frequently asked questions
Is India strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Extreme. 8 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Smoking, Religion, Driving, Weapons, Jail risk, Drones, Cash & currency), 14 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in India?
The strictest topics for travellers in India are: Drugs, Smoking, Religion, Driving, Weapons, Jail risk, Drones, Cash & currency. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for India?
In LawsTravels: open India, each topic shows the level, the rule, the thresholds and what to do at customs, offline. 3 topics are free on every country; the other 20 unlock for the price of a coffee.
What is the emergency number in India?
In India, dial 112. Capital: New Delhi. Currency: Indian Rupee (INR). Main language: Hindi, English.
Which side of the road do they drive on in India?
In India, traffic drives on the left. Mains voltage: 230 V. Calling code: +91. Plug types: C · D.
Countries with the closest profile
Levels summarise publicly available legal information for travellers and are not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies: confirm with the embassy or consulate of your destination.
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