Is India Safe? What Travellers Need to Know

Whether India is safe for you depends on where you go and how you travel, and the clearest guide is the travel advice your own government publishes. On 21 October 2026 the UK, US, Australian and Canadian governments described India like this:

• United States: Level 2 of 4, "Exercise Increased Caution", because of crime and terrorism. The State Department's summary adds that some areas carry increased risk.
• Australia: Smartraveller's overall advice is to exercise a high degree of caution, because of the threat of terrorism and crime and the risk of civil unrest. Higher levels apply in some areas.
• Canada: exercise a high degree of caution, because of the threat of terrorist attacks throughout the country, with regional advisories.
• United Kingdom: the Foreign Office gives no single level for the whole country. It advises against travel to parts of India and says terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks there.

These are each government's own judgement, written for its own citizens, and they change. Read the current version before you book and again before you fly. Our guide to India travel advisories explains how each scale works and where to find it.

Most of the travel warnings for India concern a few regions rather than the country:

• Jammu and Kashmir. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, naming Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Srinagar and the Jammu-Srinagar national highway; its only exceptions are flying into and out of Jammu city and travel within that city. Australia says do not travel there. Canada says avoid all travel, and notes that its advisory does not cover the Union Territory of Ladakh.
• The border with Pakistan. The UK and Canada advise against all travel within 10 km of the India-Pakistan border, and Australia says do not travel to the border. Canada names the border areas of Gujarat, Punjab and Rajasthan.
• Manipur. The UK advises against all but essential travel to the state, including Imphal, after ethnic violence that began in May 2023. Canada says avoid non-essential travel, and Australia says do not travel.
• Parts of central and north-east India. Australia asks travellers to reconsider their need to go to Chhattisgarh and the border areas of its neighbouring states, to Nagaland, and to Assam's Tinsukia, Charaideo and Sivasagar districts. The UK says Maoist insurgents, known as Naxalites, are active in parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, and suggests asking your travel provider and the local authorities before going.

The UK Foreign Office warns that your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against its advice, and Canada and Australia give similar warnings about their own top levels. What that means for your policy is set out in our page on travel insurance.

Away from those regions, the risks the governments describe are the ones a visitor is most likely to meet:

• Theft. The UK Foreign Office says scammers, pickpockets and ticket touts target foreign nationals in tourist areas, and that thieves on motorbikes snatch valuables. Australia lists markets, airports, train stations and overnight trains among the places theft is common.
• Violent crime. The US State Department's summary says violent crime and terrorism occur in India, and that violent crimes, including sexual assault, happen at tourist sites and other locations.
• Scams. Australia calls scams common, from fake tour guides to ATM and card skimming, and Canada warns about taxi drivers who offer money to export gems or carpets. Each one, with what the governments advise, is on our page about tourist scams in India.
• Spiked food and drink. The UK, Australia and Canada all report travellers robbed or assaulted after taking spiked food or drinks. Do not accept either from strangers, and do not leave a drink unattended. The UK and Australia also warn that methanol in poor-quality alcohol can kill.
• Harassment of women. The UK says female travellers often experience verbal and physical harassment, and that there is a risk of sexual assault in tourist areas and cities. Our page for women travelling in India covers the advice in full.
• Crowds and protests. Strikes, rallies and demonstrations happen often and can turn violent, the UK says, and Australia and Canada note that stampedes at large religious and other gatherings have killed people.

The UK Foreign Office says India has a high death rate from road accidents. It advises avoiding road travel at night and in fog, and notes that buses are often driven fast and recklessly. For taxis, it suggests not travelling alone or hailing one on the street, especially at night, and using an app-based taxi, a pre-paid taxi or a hotel transfer instead. It calls train travel generally safe, with police or guards on trains and at stations, but warns that thefts are common. Our page on getting around India after dark collects this advice, and getting around India compares cars, trains and flights.

On our own trips you travel in a private car with a driver: we run our own vehicles, checked for condition, documents and safety, with drivers who are known to us, as described on how we vet hotels, guides and transport.

Several Indian laws differ sharply from those at home, and the governments flag them:

• Alcohol. The UK Foreign Office says drinking, producing or transporting alcohol is illegal in Bihar, Gujarat, Mizoram, Nagaland and Lakshadweep, with prison sentences of 5 to 10 years, and that drinking in public places such as parks is illegal everywhere. In Goa, it adds, you can drink in a licensed bar or beach shack but not on an open beach or road.
• Satellite phones and GPS devices. Owning or using one without a licence is illegal, even in transit, the UK says, and Australia includes satellite-enabled locator beacons.
• Vapes and drugs. Vapes are banned, and Australia warns that drug penalties include mandatory sentences and the death penalty.
• Your documents. Australia says it is illegal not to carry your passport and a valid visa. Apply for an e-Visa only through the government portal, as our India e-Visa guide explains.
• Photography and dress. Australia says photographing airports, military sites and dams is illegal, and that dress and behaviour codes are strict at religious sites.
• LGBTQ+ travellers. Same-sex relationships are legal, but same-sex marriage is not recognised. Our page for LGBTQ+ travellers explains the law.

• 112: police, fire and ambulance. The National Portal of India lists it as the integrated emergency helpline, and the UK says operators answer in English, Hindi and other languages. The free 112 India app can share your location.
• 181: the Women Helpline of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, open around the clock.
• 1363 or 1800-11-1363: the Ministry of Tourism's tourist helpline, in 12 languages, day and night.
• 1930: the National Cybercrime Helpline, for online and card fraud.
• 139: Indian Railways' helpline for security and medical help on a train.

After a theft or scam, report it to the police and ask for a copy of the report, which your insurer will want. The UK adds that you need a police report for an exit visa if your passport is lost or stolen. Keep your embassy's number with you as well.