Is Buprenorphine legal in India?
- Legal status
- Buprenorphine is a psychotropic scheduled under the NDPS Act 1985 — a lighter control tier than methadone (an Essential Narcotic Drug), with no storage licence required; higher strengths (0.4/2 mg) are restricted to government-recognised de-addiction centres.
- Consequences if caught
- Below the notified small quantity: up to 1 year (s.22); intermediate up to 10 years; commercial quantity 10–20 years rigorous imprisonment plus fine.
- If prescribed or medical
- The dominant opioid-substitution medicine under the National AIDS Control Programme, dispensed at recognised de-addiction centres (not open take-home).
- Documentation
- Carry a personal therapeutic amount with a prescription and INCB certificate; confirm with the CBN/NCB.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with India’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →