Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with updates to entry/exit requirements. Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism.”
Updated Mon, 16 Jun 2025
Full advisory →Asia · Updated
As of September 2026, India scores 61/100 on the IsMyTripSafe safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. The U.S. State Department rates India Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Of the 29 India destinations assessed, Leh scores highest (71/100), while Bengaluru scores lowest (61/100).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
India · Assessed 21 August 2026
61
/ 100
Safer than ~58% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with updates to entry/exit requirements. Exercise increased caution in India due to crime and terrorism.”
Updated Mon, 16 Jun 2025
Full advisory →Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel India-Pakistan border area FCDO advises against all travel within 10km of the India-Pakistan border.”
Updated 2026-07-09T13:54:18Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for India: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateArmed robbery of tourists is rare, but opportunistic muggings and chain‑snatching on motorbikes occur in busy city streets and near transport hubs, especially Delhi.
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag‑snatching are common in crowded markets, metro stations, tourist monuments and on trains, with frequent reports of passport theft.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
61/100
Recent traveller reports on forums and review sites describe feeling generally safe during daylight but uneasy in dense crowds and at night, especially for solo women.
Yes — India is generally safe for visitors who follow basic precautions, though crime and scam pressure are moderate.
India scores 68/100 on the composite safety index, placing it above average for visitor safety. Homicide and terrorism risks are low, but petty crime, scams and occasional street crime are moderate concerns, especially in crowded tourist hubs.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
India is generally safe for visitors who follow basic precautions, but the environment presents moderate crime and scam pressures that require vigilance. The composite safety index of 68 reflects low homicide and terrorism risks, yet the country’s high population density and bustling tourist zones mean petty theft and opportunistic robbery are common.
Recent incidents from the live dossier illustrate current threats: in August 2026 Delhi police broke up a gang posing as fake Uber drivers who robbed foreign tourists after airport pickups (Reuters); Agra reported a spike in chain‑snatching near the Taj Mahal in July 2026 (The Times of India); and a counterfeit‑ticket scam in Jaipur during June 2026 left travelers out INR 15,000 each (NDTV). These events underscore the need for caution, especially in crowded transport hubs and popular monument sites.
Visitor sentiment is mixed, with a consumer‑sentiment score of 62 and frequent traveler comments noting safety concerns after dark and in dense crowds, particularly for solo women. While official advisories (U.S. Level 2, UK “high degree of caution”) advise increased vigilance, they do not declare the country unsafe. The primary risks are pickpocketing in markets and metro stations, and scams such as fake guides, overcharging taxis, and pressure to donate to bogus charities.
Practical safety tips: Use only licensed, app‑based rides or pre‑booked verified drivers; keep passports and valuables secured in a hotel safe and carry only copies when out; stay in well‑reviewed, centrally located accommodations; avoid poorly lit streets after dark; and remain alert to over‑eager strangers offering tours, food, or “donations.” By staying aware of these specific risks, travelers can enjoy India’s rich culture while minimizing safety concerns.
06 · Destinations
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07 · Questions
The U.S. State Department currently rates India Level 2 of 4 — Exercise Increased Caution. On our composite index India scores 61/100. See the destination reports above for city-level detail. (Updated 5 September 2026.)
Of the destinations we've assessed, Leh currently scores highest at 71/100 (Safe). Bengaluru scores lowest at 61/100.
Directly from public sources: US, UK and Canadian government advisories, World Bank and UNODC crime statistics, WHO health data, live air-quality, disaster and earthquake feeds — plus AI field research over current local reporting. Read the full methodology.