Is Zolpidem legal in India?
- Legal status
- Zolpidem is a Schedule H1 prescription drug under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules (retained in Schedule H1 by DTAB) and is a listed psychotropic consistent with the 1971 Convention Schedule IV status of zolpidem; it may not be sold by retail without a registered practitioner's prescription.
- Consequences if caught
- Retail sale of this Schedule H1 hypnotic without a prescription is an offence, and illicit trafficking can attract NDPS Act penalties; supply must be entered in a separate H1 register.
- If prescribed or medical
- Zolpidem is prescribed short-term for insomnia as a Schedule H1 medicine, with mandatory recording of prescriber, patient and quantity.
- Documentation
- A traveller carries prescribed zolpidem with the prescription; H1 record-keeping applies to pharmacy supply.
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 →