Is India safe for religious-minority travellers?
Mixed — know the gaps
India is a mixed picture for religious-minority travellers — the clearest concern is government restriction of religion (high restrictions).
What to know as a religious-minority traveller
the sourced facts that weigh most for you · concerns first
Pew rates India’s government restrictions on religion as high, with very high social hostilities involving religion.
Article 15 of the Constitution bans discrimination on religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, but India has no comprehensive anti-discrimination statute covering private conduct.
Insulting religion is an offence under IPC Section 295A (now the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023), punishable by up to three years, and prosecutions do occur.
Identity & recognition
Same-sex relationships
Legal, no recognitionGay sex was decriminalised in 2018 (Navtej Johar, striking down Section 377), but the Supreme Court declined to recognise same-sex marriage in 2023 (Supriyo v. Union of India).
Legal gender recognition
Certificate processThe Transgender Persons Act 2019, following the NALSA judgment (2014), lets a person obtain a transgender identity certificate on self-perception, but changing legal gender to male or female requires proof of surgery.
Anti-discrimination protection
Constitutional onlyArticle 15 of the Constitution bans discrimination on religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, but India has no comprehensive anti-discrimination statute covering private conduct.
Disability rights
CRPD + 2016 ActIndia ratified the UN CRPD in 2007 and enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016, though implementation and physical access remain limited.
Women's legal rights
Major legal gapsSignificant legal gaps remain for women — the WBL index scores 74/100 (2023). Expect unequal rules in areas such as mobility, marriage or the workplace; check local specifics before you travel.
LGBTQ+ legal equality
RestrictiveLGBTQ+ legal protections are limited — Equaldex scores 48/100 (2026), with major gaps in recognition and anti-discrimination.
Body & health
Abortion access
Broad grounds ≤24 wksThe Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act (amended 2021) permits abortion on broad health and socio-economic grounds up to 20 weeks (24 for special categories), subject to doctors’ approval rather than on request.
Cannabis & personal drug law
Illegal (bhang varies)The NDPS Act 1985 prohibits cannabis resin (charas) and flowering tops (ganja) but excludes the leaves, so bhang is legal under some state laws and banned in others.
Faith & conscience
Government restriction of religion
High restrictionsPew rates India’s government restrictions on religion as high, with very high social hostilities involving religion.
Blasphemy & apostasy law
On the booksInsulting religion is an offence under IPC Section 295A (now the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023), punishable by up to three years, and prosecutions do occur.
Speech & press
Freedom of expression
Partly free · 62/100Rated Partly Free, 62/100, by Freedom House (2025).
Your obligations on arrival
Address / residence registration
Foreign students on a visa valid for more than 180 days must register with the FRRO/FRO within 14 days of arrival.
Student work rights
Holders of an Indian student visa are not permitted to take up employment; only limited course-linked internships are allowed.
Health insurance
Health insurance is not a universal statutory visa condition but is recommended and required by many Indian institutions.
Bringing medication
Personal-use prescription medicines are allowed in reasonable quantities with a prescription, but NDPS-controlled substances need prior written permission from the Narcotics Commissioner.
Laws differ from lived experience and this is not legal advice. Each fact shows its evidence type, date and source. Full method & sources →
Emergency numbers
Travel-medical cover that works abroad with no local address, and a data eSIM so maps and messaging work the moment you land.