Is It Safe to Travel to India in 2026?
India - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area; the most populous country since 2023; and, since its independence in 1947, the world's most populous democracy.
Is It Safe to Travel to India in 2026?
India is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism. Violent crime and terrorism occur in India, with rape being one of the fastest growing crimes.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- terrorism
The overall security situation has been worsening recently. Contributing factors: Violent crime and terrorism occur in India, with rape being one of the fastest growing crimes., Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting various locations..
Active restrictions in India:
- Security escort may be required
Must obtain special authorization to travel to rural areas.
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face significant risks of violent crime, including sexual assault, particularly in urban areas and tourist sites, necessitating heightened vigilance.
Business travelers may encounter operational disruptions due to crime and limited consular support, but major urban centers offer relatively reliable infrastructure.
Families with children should be cautious due to the high risk of violent crime and limited access to pediatric healthcare outside major cities.
Remote workers may find urban areas suitable for work with decent connectivity, but rural areas pose significant risks and logistical challenges.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for India.
Regional Safety Breakdown
Do Not Travel Zones
The U.S. State Department advises against all travel to the following areas due to extreme risk:
- Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir
- India-Pakistan Border
- Parts of Central and East India
- Manipur
▶Level 4 — Do Not Travel4 regions
▶India-Pakistan Border
Do not travel to this area due to potential for armed conflict. India and Pakistan have a strong military presence on their respective sides of the border. The only official border crossing for non-citizens of India or Pakistan is in Punjab. It is between Attari, India, and Wagah, Pakistan. The border crossing is usually open. Check the status before you travel. To enter Pakistan, you need a Pakistani visa. Only U.S. citizens residing in India may apply for a Pakistani visa in India. Otherwise,
▶Manipur
Do not travel to Manipur due to the threat of violence and crime. Ongoing ethnic-based conflict has resulted in reports of extensive violence and community displacement. Attacks against Indian government targets occur on a regular basis. U.S. government employees working in India require prior approval before visiting Manipur. Review our information on travel to high-risk areas.
▶Parts of Central and East India
Do not travel to this area due to terrorism. Maoist extremist groups, or “Naxalites,” are active in a large area of India that spans from eastern Maharashtra and northern Telangana through western West Bengal. Attacks against officers of the Indian government continue to occur sporadically in the rural parts of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand that border with Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha. Southwest areas of Odisha are also affec
▶Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir
Do not travel to this area except for visits to the eastern Ladakh region and its capital, Leh, due to terrorism and civil unrest. Terrorist attacks and violent civil unrest are possible. Violence happens sporadically in this area and is common along the Line of Control (LOC) between India and Pakistan. Violence also occurs in tourist spots in the Kashmir Valley: Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. The Indian government does not allow foreign tourists to visit certain areas along the LOC. Review ou
▶Level 3 — Reconsider Travel1 region
▶Northeastern States
Reconsider travel to this area due to terrorism and violence. Ethnic insurgent groups occasionally commit acts of violence in parts of the northeast. These incidents include bombings of buses, trains, rail lines, and markets. There have been no recent reports of violence in Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, or Tripura. U.S. government employees working in India require prior approval before visiting the states of Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as when visiting any area
India has 5 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
India has an overall threat severity of 4.5 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 5.0/10, and kidnapping risk 0.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Partly Free — scored 66/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)
Language
Hindi / English
Vaccinations
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: moderate
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- watchRabies in India: A case of rabies has been reported in the U.S. in a traveler from India.
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to India
▶What is the current travel advisory level for India?
▶Is it safe to travel to India right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit India?
▶What vaccines do I need for India?
▶Is India safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in India?
More India Data
Partly Free — 66/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.