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 →Personalize Report NowTailor this report specifically to you and get the latest and most valuable insights with one click.8 districts
Is New Delhi safe? 🇮🇳
India · Safety report last updated
As of September 2026, New Delhi scores 63/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Yes — New Delhi is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow basic precautions, though petty crime and scams require vigilance. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
New Delhi 🇮🇳
India · Assessed 10 September 2026
63
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~62% of countries
What drives this score
Crime64/100FairCrime index 44.2 / 100
Sentiment63/100FairMostly positive
Advisories50Caution
Stability61Fair
Health69Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Caution
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 2026-09-09T09:13:43.0538046-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
62
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
High risk
58
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
68 / 100 (Mostly positive)
68
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
318k residents
79
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
2.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6India2.8World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
79
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging of tourists is uncommon but motorbike-borne bag snatching occurs, especially in south Delhi and near railway stations
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing is prevalent in Chandni Chowk, Paharganj, New Delhi Railway Station and metro rush hour
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
63/100
Reported feel68Mostly positive
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Recent traveler reports describe a generally positive experience for visitors who stay alert, with improvements in security noted in 2025, though solo female travelers express heightened concern at night.
Yes — New Delhi is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow basic precautions, though petty crime and scams require vigilance.
New Delhi has a moderate overall safety index (65/100), with violent crime against tourists uncommon but pickpocketing and robbery posing notable risks in crowded areas. Solo female travelers should exercise extra caution, particularly at night, and all visitors should remain alert to scams near transport hubs and tourist sites.
Recent developments
- Aug 2026Indian police used water cannon at a new protest over test paper leaks in Delhi— reuters.com
- Aug 2026Amnesty International documented unlawful and deadly force against CJP-led protests in India, including Delhi— Amnesty International
- Aug 2026France 24 reported India police used excessive force during protests, with New Delhi as a focal point— France 24
- Jul 2026NPR reported India's youth-led Cockroach movement vowed to continue protest after police crackdown, originating in Delhi— NPR
Common scams
- Fake tourist information centers offering unsolicited help near Connaught Place and railway stations
- Taxi drivers taking passengers to multiple hotels claiming they are full to inflate fares
- Street vendors or touts posing as helpers to overcharge for tours, cars, or tickets
- Motorbike-borne bag snatching, especially in south Delhi and near railway stations
Full briefing
New Delhi is generally safe for visitors who exercise situational awareness, particularly in crowded tourist zones and transport hubs where petty crime and scams are most active. While violent crime against tourists remains uncommon, the city scores moderately on safety indices due to risks like pickpocketing, bag snatching, and occasional civil unrest. Government advisories from the U.S., UK, and Canada uniformly urge increased caution, citing crime and terrorism concerns, though no active disaster alerts currently affect the city. The dossier confirms that security remains heightened following intelligence warnings, with enhanced screening and surveillance at major sites like India Gate and Red Fort.
Recent incidents highlight ongoing civil unrest, with multiple reports from August 2026 detailing police use of water cannons, excessive force, and crackdowns on youth-led protests over issues like test paper leaks and civic justice. These events, while not directly targeting tourists, contribute to an atmosphere of tension in central Delhi and may lead to sudden road closures or increased police presence. Travelers should avoid protest zones and monitor local news for real-time updates. Solo female travelers are advised to take extra precautions, especially after dark, as harassment remains a noted concern in areas like Old Delhi and near transit hubs.
To stay safe, use ride-hailing apps or official prepaid taxis instead of unmarked cabs, which have been linked to hotel-switching scams. Keep valuables secure and out of sight, particularly in Chandni Chowk, Paharganj, and metro stations where pickpocketing is high. Avoid carrying large sums of cash or displaying expensive items. Book travel arrangements online through official platforms to prevent ticket fraud, and stay in well-lit, populated areas at night. While the city’s extensive metro system is relatively safe, remain vigilant during rush hour. By following these precautions, visitors can navigate New Delhi’s vibrant chaos with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 New Delhi districts for visitors: 2 safer, 3 needing caution and 3 best avoided. See them plotted on the New Delhi safety map.
Chandni ChowkavoidExtremely crowded; notorious for pickpocketing, scams, and touts — high risk for tourists, especially after dark.
PaharganjavoidBudget traveler hub with frequent scams, overcharging, and petty theft; exercise extreme caution, particularly at night.
New Delhi Railway Station areaavoidHotspot for taxi scams, fake tourist offices, and bag snatching — avoid unlicensed cabs and touts offering 'help'.
Connaught PlacecautionGenerally safe during day but high pickpocketing and scam risk in crowds; avoid isolated areas after dark.
Karol BaghcautionBusy commercial area with moderate pickpocketing risk; stay alert in markets and avoid unlicensed taxis.
Old Delhi (around Red Fort/Jama Masjid)cautionHistoric area with high tourist traffic; vigilance needed for pickpocketing and scams in crowded lanes.
Lutyens' Delhi (Government Quarter)saferHigh security presence around India Gate, embassy areas, and official buildings; generally safe even at night.
South Delhi (e.g., Hauz Khas, Greater Kailash)saferUpscale residential and commercial zones with good lighting, policing, and expat presence; safe for visitors.
07 · After Dark
Is New Delhi safe at night?
Mugging of tourists is uncommon but motorbike-borne bag snatching occurs, especially in south Delhi and near railway stations
After dark, be most careful around Chandni Chowk, Paharganj, New Delhi Railway Station area, Connaught Place. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
New Delhi safety FAQ (2026)
Is New Delhi safe right now (2026)?
Yes — New Delhi is generally safe for visitors who stay alert and follow basic precautions, though petty crime and scams require vigilance. New Delhi has a moderate overall safety index (65/100), with violent crime against tourists uncommon but pickpocketing and robbery posing notable risks in crowded areas. Solo female travelers should exercise extra caution, particularly at night, and all visitors should remain alert to scams near transport hubs and tourist sites. (Assessed 10 September 2026.)
Is New Delhi safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this New Delhi report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of New Delhi should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Chandni Chowk, Paharganj, New Delhi Railway Station area as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in New Delhi (2026)?
- Fake tourist information centers offering unsolicited help near Connaught Place and railway stations
- Taxi drivers taking passengers to multiple hotels claiming they are full to inflate fares
- Street vendors or touts posing as helpers to overcharge for tours, cars, or tickets
- Motorbike-borne bag snatching, especially in south Delhi and near railway stations
How does New Delhi compare with other places in India (2026)?
New Delhi ranks #9 of 9 India destinations we've assessed, scoring 63/100. See the India safety overview for the full list.
How is this new-delhi safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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