India
Is CBD Legal in India?
Status
Restricted
Covers
Jurisdiction
Last updated
August 6, 2026
The short answer
Last reviewed: August 6, 2026
CBD is legal in India only when sold as an Ayurvedic proprietary medicine manufactured under a license from the Ministry of AYUSH. The legal pathway relies on the NDPS Act's exclusion of cannabis leaves and seeds from the prohibited definition, which lets licensed manufacturers extract cannabinoids from those plant parts under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the AYUSH framework. Products derived from flowering tops, or sold without AYUSH licensing, remain prohibited.
Practical rules are narrow. Approved CBD oils are classified as Ayurvedic medicines, generally formulated with low THC, and are typically sold with a doctor's prescription, particularly for any formulation with measurable THC. Online marketplaces routinely list non-licensed CBD products, but these sit in a legal grey zone and have been the subject of seizures. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation oversees pharmaceutical-grade cannabinoid products, while AYUSH governs the Ayurvedic category that hosts almost all retail CBD in India today.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.
Key facts ·
India
Key facts
Rules at a glance
THC limit
Not exceeding 0.3% THC in source material
Regulator
Ministry of AYUSH; Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
Key regulation
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940; NDPS Act, 1985 Section 2(iii)(b) leaf/seed exclusion
Effective
April 10, 1940
Adult-use cannabis
Illegal
Medical cannabis
Limited
For brands and importers
Import and export rules
Import and export of CBD products require approval from the Narcotics Control Bureau and compliance with the United Nations Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. Finished CBD medicines additionally need CDSCO registration and an import license under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules. Personal imports without a valid prescription and license are not permitted and are routinely intercepted by customs.
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