last edited Mar 17, 2026
Health and Safety in India
Official Recommendations
In France, both for individuals and professionals, the "travel advice" from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding precautions for each country has legal value. A similar online travel advice system exists in several countries:
Health
Diseases
India is one of those countries where health precautions are essential, with two "sensitive" points: mosquitoes, as well as water and food. To which one could add pollution in large cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and many others.
For mosquitoes, these are diseases transmitted by bites found in the country, such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and, although risks are decreasing, malaria and Japanese encephalitis in rural areas. Of course, given the size and diversity of the territory, the situation can vary greatly from one region to another. Nevertheless, it is essential to protect yourself by bringing repellents and appropriate clothing, especially in the evening.
Otherwise, although no vaccines are officially required to enter the country, staying up to date is still preferable. That said, for those staying in rural areas for a long time, especially off the beaten track, a rabies vaccine (which is endemic here) and Japanese encephalitis are sometimes recommended by certain authorities.
Hygiene
More than elsewhere, good personal and especially food hygiene is necessary when traveling in India. So, avoid tap water (which is not potable), ice cubes, and dishes or foods that do not guarantee freshness, especially in markets or street food. This is to at least avoid "traveler’s diarrhea," which frequently affects visitors here.
Healthcare Facilities on Site
India also presents a striking contrast in this regard, with high-end facilities equivalent to or even better than those in some Western countries on one hand, and basic structures in many parts of the country on the other.
As expected, the former are found in cities and the private sector, with the associated costs. That said, since the country has ventured into medical tourism, some services, though expensive, remain (still) affordable for foreigners. Even so, travel insurance is highly recommended for India.
As for the rest, these are primarily public clinics and facilities found elsewhere in the country, except in the most remote medical deserts. In such cases, even though things are improving over time and telemedicine is beginning to emerge, both medical and human resources are limited, often with long wait times. For tourists, these should primarily be used in absolute emergencies.
Safety
Crime and Delinquency
In terms of delinquency and crime, India remains a relatively safe country overall, especially for tourists, even though pickpocketing risks exist in public transport, crowded places, and some tourist areas. So, there is little cause for concern, at least if you don’t take unnecessary risks and follow the usual precautions and vigilance needed for any trip.
That said, the situation is somewhat different for female travelers, especially if they are alone. Cases of harassment, sexual assault, and even "spiked drinks" are quite common, particularly in Goa. This requires, beyond "neutral" clothing, heightened caution depending on the places and situations, as well as the people you meet. It’s also best to avoid certain areas if you’re alone.
Sociopolitical Risks
Political, ethnic, and religious tensions (notably with an increasingly present Hindu nationalist discourse) are recurrent in India. While not affecting the entire country, some areas regularly experience conflicts, sometimes making them completely or partially off-limits to visitors.
This is particularly true for Kashmir and the western border areas (India-Pakistan issue), the small northeastern states often restricted in access (traditional sociopolitical instability), the Indo-Burmese border (a hub for all kinds of trafficking), or various remote areas where Maoist-inspired movements still operate. Fortunately, the vast majority of India remains calm and poses little to no sociopolitical or terrorist risk for visitors. However, it is still essential—if not more so—to stay informed about the situation and news of the places you plan to visit.
Climate, Nature, and Animals
Altitude Sickness
Even if this only concerns those going trekking in the Himalayas, beware of altitude sickness. In India, as in the rest of the Himalayan range, this condition affects most visitors above 3,000/3,500 meters.
Headaches, insomnia, nausea, loss of appetite, and breathing difficulties are symptoms that, for most people in good health, will disappear or lessen with acclimatization, by not ascending too quickly or beyond a certain altitude (4,000 meters and above). In short, it is always essential to adapt your pace and moderate your efforts when in the Himalayan part of India.
Other Issues
India is partly located in a seismic zone, meaning there are earthquake risks. Although these are concentrated, it’s true, along the border with Pakistan and especially in the northern part of the country, near the Himalayan region close to Nepal.
However, the main and most deadly calamity is flooding, which regularly affects the entire country. This happens during the monsoon season but also in some cities at any time due to inadequate or deficient water drainage systems after heavy rains. To this, one can add landslides or road closures, which are always possible during rainy periods, the tropical cyclones that occasionally ravage the Bay of Bengal, and especially the heatwaves increasingly affecting some regions of India, like the highly touristic Rajasthan.
Animals
As for animals, although some parts of the country have their share of snakes (responsible for many deaths each year), venomous spiders and scorpions, or even leeches in the mountains (harmless but unpleasant), bad encounters with them are rather rare. This is unlike the many stray dogs (estimated at 60 million in the country!), which often carry rabies or other diseases. As for others, beware of monkeys, which are not always friendly in tourist areas.
As a visitor, however, there is little risk of having problems with a wild elephant, a leopard, or—even more so—a tiger, which you will only see on a safari, guided by an expert who will give you all the safety instructions to avoid issues.
French Consulates on Site
If you encounter problems during a trip abroad, your country’s consular services can assist you. It’s also worth noting that if you are a citizen of the European Union and your country is not represented, you can contact any other EU member state’s representation.
- Consulate General: 2/50-E Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. There are also four other consulates in Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Pondicherry.