Is Khat legal in India?
- Legal status
- Controlled — PLANT NAMED. Catha edulis (khat dry leaves) was added to the list of psychotropic substances under the NDPS Act 1985 by Notification S.O. 821(E) dated 27 February 2018 — the plant itself is scheduled. Mechanism: NAMED (plant), effective 27 Feb 2018.
- Consequences if caught
- Khat leaf is a scheduled psychotropic; import and possession are prosecuted under the NDPS Act (major seizures ongoing).
- If prescribed or medical
- Khat is traditional plant material with no recognised medical use and no lawful prescription route.
- Documentation
- No lawful personal-import route since Feb 2018; leaf is prohibited and seized on import.
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.
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