Amphetamine / Dextroamphetamine in India: NDPS Rules and Import Permit
Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) is not approved in India and requires a Narcotics Commissioner import permit under the NDPS Act. Bring your full supply.
Quick reference
- Drug class: CNS stimulant
- Controlled substance: Yes, listed as a psychotropic substance under India's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985
- Prescription required: Yes, and an import permit from the Narcotics Commissioner, Central Bureau of Narcotics, is required before entry
- Available locally: No, amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall) has never been approved for sale in India by the CDSCO
- Storage: Room temperature, 20–25°C, dry and away from light
- Max supply to carry: 30-day personal supply with documentation; larger quantities require a formal import certificate
- Key document: Narcotics Commissioner import permit + original prescription + doctor's letter in English
- Emergency alternative: Contact your embassy or a private hospital psychiatrist; no local equivalent is available, do not attempt to source amphetamine locally
Travelling to India with Adderall: what you must know before you fly
Amphetamine / dextroamphetamine, sold internationally as Adderall, Adderall XR, and Mydayis, is not approved for sale in India by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)[2] and is regulated as a psychotropic substance under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985[1]. You cannot obtain a local refill anywhere in India, so your supply planning and import documentation must be in order before you board.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.
Before you travel
Documentation for travelling to India with Adderall
Because amphetamine is a scheduled psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, international travellers must seek permission from the Narcotics Commissioner before departure[3] to bring any such substance into India. Your application must be accompanied by the original prescription and supporting medical papers[4]. Allow at least four to six weeks for this process, applying at T-30 days is the minimum.
Pre-travel paperwork timeline
- T-30 days
Book an appointment with your prescribing doctor to obtain a formal letter on clinic letterhead. Confirm the letter includes your full name, medication generic and brand name, dosage, frequency, quantity to be carried, and the doctor's registration number and signature.Prescriber letter
- T-28 days
Submit your import permission application to the Narcotics Commissioner, Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Gwalior. Attach your original prescription, the prescriber letter, your passport copy, and your travel itinerary. The application can be sent by post or in person; allow processing time of 2–4 weeks.NDPS import permit (CBN)
Applications addressed to Narcotics Commissioner, Central Bureau of Narcotics, 19 The Mall, Morar, Gwalior 474006. A fee of ₹1,000 (~$10 / ~€9) applies per application under NDPS Rules Rule 55(3).
- T-7 days
Confirm your NDPS import permit has arrived. Prepare a printed set: permit + prescriber letter + original prescription + passport photo page. Keep a digital backup in secure cloud storage.Translated letter (if applicable)
- T-1 day
Pack all medication in its original, pharmacy-labelled packaging. Do not transfer tablets into unlabelled containers. Place the complete document set in your hand luggage alongside the medication.
- T-0 (border)
Declare your medication proactively at Indian customs. Present your NDPS import permit, prescriber letter, and original prescription together. Keep the quantity carried within the approved limit stated on your permit.
Carry every doc to the border
Store your prescriptions, certificates, and emergency card in an encrypted record you can pull up offline.
What your doctor's letter must include
Full legal name, medication INN (amphetamine / dextroamphetamine) and brand name (Adderall / Adderall XR / Mydayis), exact dose and frequency, total quantity to be carried, the prescribing condition (ADHD or narcolepsy), the doctor's full name, medical registration number, clinic letterhead, and signature. India does not require notarisation of the letter, but all documents must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation.
India does not require notarisation or apostille of a prescriber letter for personal-use medication carried by a traveller. All documents must be in English; if your original prescription is in another language, attach a certified English translation.
How much Adderall to bring
Under NDPS rules, personal-use quantities of psychotropic substances are limited to a 30-day supply[5] unless a formal import certificate explicitly authorises more. Bring your full supply for your trip, plus a 5–7 day buffer to cover delays or lost luggage. There is no local refill pathway, so any shortfall cannot be remedied in India. Confirm the quantity on your NDPS permit matches what you pack.
Split your supply between bags
Carry your main supply in hand luggage and a backup dose in checked luggage. If one bag is delayed or lost, you retain partial cover. Keep both portions in original pharmacy-labelled packaging. Never transfer tablets into unlabelled containers, as loose pills in unmarked containers are a common trigger for customs scrutiny.
Packing and storing Adderall for travel
Adderall tablets should be stored at room temperature (20–25°C), in a dry place, protected from light[6]. India's summer temperatures regularly exceed 35°C in many cities; keep tablets in an insulated pouch or a cool, shaded compartment of your bag during transit. Do not leave medication in a parked car or in luggage exposed to direct sunlight. Hotel room safes at standard room temperature are generally adequate storage.
At the airport and border
Airport security with Adderall
At departure, airport security screening rules for medications are set by the national authority of the country you are departing from, not by India. Keep your medication in its original packaging in your hand luggage so security officers can verify the label against your documents. Tablets are solid and have no liquid-restriction issues. At Indian airports, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) manages screening; carrying your NDPS permit and prescriber letter in your hand luggage means any officer query can be resolved on the spot without delay.
Customs and medication import rules for India
Under Rules 55 and 58 of the NDPS Rules, 1985, no psychotropic substance may be imported into India without an import certificate from the Narcotics Commissioner[7]. At the customs hall, declare your medication proactively on the customs declaration form. Present your permit, prescriber letter, and original prescription together as a single document set. Carrying amphetamine without this permit can result in serious legal charges, including drug trafficking[3] under the NDPS Act.
NDPS Act: serious legal risk without a permit
Amphetamine / dextroamphetamine is a psychotropic substance under India's NDPS Act, 1985. Carrying it without a valid Narcotics Commissioner import permit exposes you to charges that carry severe custodial penalties under Indian law. The NDPS Act places the burden of proof on the accused to establish innocence. Do not enter India with this medication unless your permit is confirmed and physically in your possession.
While in country
Adderall availability in India
Brands of amphetamine / dextroamphetamine sold in India
| Brand name | Indication | Formulation | Supply note |
|---|---|---|---|
| No approved brands | N/A | N/A | Amphetamine / dextroamphetamine (Adderall) is not approved by the CDSCO and is not available in Indian pharmacies under any brand name |
Amphetamine / dextroamphetamine has never been approved for prescription or sale by the CDSCO[2]. No pharmacy in India stocks Adderall, Adderall XR, or Mydayis, nor any generic equivalent. Methylphenidate (Ritalin, sold in India as a Schedule X drug) is a separate molecule and is not an equivalent replacement, any switch requires specialist oversight. Do not attempt to source amphetamine locally.
Finding a doctor who can prescribe ADHD medication in India
Private psychiatrists are available in major cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai; a specialist consultation typically costs ₹800–2,500 (~$8–$26 / ~€7–€23) in a private clinic. English-speaking psychiatrists are available at most corporate hospitals such as Apollo, Fortis, and Max Healthcare. Because amphetamine cannot be prescribed in India, a local psychiatrist can only document your existing prescription for emergency correspondence, not provide a local supply. Telemedicine with your home prescriber is a useful bridge for documentation support during extended stays.
Search for providers near your destination
Use Nomedic's provider search to find psychiatrists and private hospitals in India.
Storing Adderall while in India
Adderall tablets are stable at 20–25°C in a dry location away from light[6]. In India, summer temperatures in cities such as New Delhi routinely exceed 40°C outdoors. Store your medication in an air-conditioned room, inside a drawer or toiletry bag away from windows. If you experience a power outage affecting air conditioning, move medication to the coolest interior room. Do not store tablets in checked luggage hold for extended periods in peak summer, as cargo holds can reach high temperatures on the ground.
Emergencies
What to do if something goes wrong with your Adderall in India
If your medication is lost or stolen, file a police report immediately at the nearest police station (emergency number: 100). Carry a copy of your prescriber letter and NDPS permit separately from your medication at all times so you have documentation even if the tablets are gone. Contact your travel insurer's emergency line to initiate a lost-medication claim.
If you run out of medication, there is no local refill pathway. Amphetamine / dextroamphetamine is a controlled substance with no approved Indian equivalent. Contact a private psychiatrist at a corporate hospital for clinical support and emergency correspondence with your home prescriber. Your embassy may be able to facilitate emergency courier of medication in exceptional circumstances, though this involves separate NDPS import authorisation.
“मुझे अपनी दवा की जरूरत है। (Mujhe apni dawa ki zaroorat hai.), I need my medication. / मैं डॉक्टर से मिलना चाहता हूँ। (Main doctor se milna chahta hoon.) (I need to see a doctor. / कृपया एम्बुलेंस बुलाएं। (Kripya ambulance bulaen.)) Please call an ambulance. / नजदीकी अस्पताल कहाँ है? (Najdiki aspatal kahan hai?), Where is the nearest hospital?”
I need my medication. / I need to see a doctor. / Please call an ambulance. / Where is the nearest hospital?
India's universal emergency number is 112 (GSM, works on any network). The ambulance-specific line is 108. For psychiatric emergencies, proceed directly to the casualty department of a private hospital; public hospital psychiatric units exist but may have limited English-speaking staff.
Your medication details, ready to share
Nomedic stores your medication name, INN, dosage, and frequency in your IPS, readable by any clinician worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring Adderall into India legally?
You can bring Adderall into India, but only with advance authorisation. Amphetamine is a psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act, and you must obtain an import permit from the Narcotics Commissioner (Central Bureau of Narcotics) before departure[3]. Without this permit, carrying Adderall across the Indian border can result in charges under the NDPS Act, regardless of whether you hold a valid foreign prescription.
Is Adderall available in Indian pharmacies?
No. Amphetamine / dextroamphetamine has never been approved by the CDSCO[2] and is not stocked under any brand name (including Adderall, Adderall XR, or Mydayis) in Indian pharmacies. Methylphenidate (a different molecule) is available in India under Schedule X, but switching requires specialist medical oversight.
Do I need a doctor's letter to fly with Adderall to India?
A doctor's letter alone is not sufficient for India. You need an import permit issued by the Narcotics Commissioner in addition to your prescriber letter and original prescription. The letter must include the INN (amphetamine / dextroamphetamine), brand name, dose, quantity, your doctor's registration number, and clinic letterhead. All documents must be in English.
What if I run out of Adderall while in India?
There is no local refill pathway, amphetamine cannot be purchased anywhere in India. Contact a private psychiatrist at a corporate hospital (Apollo, Fortis, or Max Healthcare all have English-speaking doctors) for clinical support. In urgent cases, your embassy may be able to assist with emergency documentation, though any courier of medication would still require a separate NDPS import authorisation.
Is Adderall XR available in India or can I switch to a local equivalent?
Adderall XR (extended-release amphetamine / dextroamphetamine) is not available in India under any name. The only stimulant with any availability in India for ADHD is methylphenidate (Schedule X), which is a distinct molecule and not a direct substitute. Any formulation change requires evaluation by a qualified psychiatrist, not a self-directed switch.
How do I apply for an NDPS import permit for India as a foreign traveller?
Apply in writing to the Narcotics Commissioner, Central Bureau of Narcotics, 19 The Mall, Morar, Gwalior 474006, at least four weeks before departure. Your application must include your prescription and any other relevant medical papers[4], along with a passport copy and your travel dates. The Department of Revenue's official guidance on NDPS travel permits is available at dor.gov.in.
Related practical guide
10 Things You Must Do Before Travelling Abroad with ADHD Medication
ADHD stimulants are banned outright in some countries and tightly controlled in many others. Here is the practical checklist every traveller needs before setting off.
Read the practical guide →Sources
- [1] Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 — Wikipedia overview
- [2] Is Adderall or Ritalin Available in India — Modalert India
- [3] International travellers requiring NDPS for medical use — Department of Revenue, Government of India
- [4] Import and Export of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances — Department of Revenue, Government of India
- [5] Custom Baggage Rules to Carry Medicines to India — Indian Eagle Travel Diary
- [6] Cardiovascular Effects of Adderall in Healthy Adults — ClinicalTrials.gov protocol (storage data)
- [7] NDPS Rules 1985, Rule 55 & 58 — Central Bureau of Narcotics Import/Export overview