Legal limits for knives in India | Arms act knife legal limits

 

In India, knives are regulated under the Arms Act, 1959 and associated rules, although the law doesn't mention knives in as much detail as it does firearms. The legality of carrying a knife is generally governed by the Arms Act, 1959 and the Arms Rules, 2016, along with local police regulations.

Relevant Provision in Indian Laws:

The Arms Act, 1959, Section 4 and Section 5 deal with the prohibition and licensing of arms. However, knives are categorized under "prohibited arms" or "arms requiring license" only if they exceed certain specifications.

As per the Arms Rules, 2016:

Under Schedule I (Category V) of the Arms Rules, the following types of knives are prohibited:

> Prohibited Arms (Category V):

> "Blades which are more than 9 inches in length or more than 2 inches in width."

Summary of Legal Limits for Knives in India:

| Feature          | Legal Limit to Carry Without License |

| ---------------- | ------------------------------------ |

| Blade Length | Up to 9 inches                   |

| Blade Width | Up to 2 inches                  |

Anything exceeding these dimensions is considered a "prohibited arm" and requires a license, which is very rarely granted for knives.

 Important Notes:

 Even if a knife is within legal limits, carrying it in public without a reasonable purpose (like self-defense or utility work) may still lead to police action under local laws (e.g., Section 144 CrPC (163 of BNSS), or local police acts).

Switchblades, butterfly knives, spring-action knives, and daggers are often considered illegal regardless of size in many Indian states.

* Airport and metro security have stricter rules — even small utility knives may be confiscated.