No. Salvia Divinorum is not explicitly banned under India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, but its psychoactive compound salvinorin A is classified as a psychotropic substance under the 2026 Schedule H1 amendment, requiring prescription-based sale and restricting possession without authorization.
Key Regulations for Salvia Divinorum in India
- Schedule H1 Classification (2026 Amendment): The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare added salvinorin A to Schedule H1, mandating prescription-only sales and prohibiting over-the-counter distribution under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
- State-Level Enforcement: Some states, including Maharashtra and Punjab, have invoked the NDPS Act’s “prohibition of psychotropic substances” clause to seize Salvia Divinorum products, treating them as controlled substances despite federal ambiguity.
- Import Restrictions: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) requires an import license under the NDPS Act for any Salvia Divinorum-containing products, with customs authorities seizing unauthorized shipments under Section 11 of the Customs Act, 1962.