India to Begin Evacuation of Nationals from Iran Amid Escalating Unrest
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Teheran
- Jan 15, 2026
- 577
Amid ongoing anti-government protests and a rapidly deteriorating security environment in Iran, the Government of India has initiated plans to evacuate its citizens, including students, from the Islamic Republic. The first chartered flight to New Delhi is scheduled to depart from Tehran on Friday, as part of the government’s contingency response to the crisis. The Jammu and Kashmir Students’ Association (JKSA) confirmed that all students currently registered with the Indian Embassy have submitted their personal details and passports, and that the first group has been instructed to be ready by 8 a.m. local time. This initial batch comprises students attending institutions such as Golestan University, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, and Tehran University of Medical Sciences. A final list of evacuees is expected to be published later tonight. Approximately 10,000 Indian nationals reside in Iran, with an estimated 2,500–3,000 of them enrolled as medical students. In light of the unrest, the Indian Embassy has issued an urgent advisory urging all citizens in Iran to keep essential travel documents — including passports and visas — readily accessible and to remain in close contact with consular officials for assistance. The embassy has also disseminated emergency contact information, including multiple helpline numbers (+989128109115, +989128109109, +989128109102, +989932179359) and the consular email cons.tehran@mea.gov.in, to support Indians seeking help or evacuating the country. Those who have not yet registered with the embassy are strongly encouraged to do so via the Ministry of External Affairs’ online registration portal, with family members in India permitted to register on behalf of those unable to access the internet due to service disruptions. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday to discuss the evolving situation and India’s evacuation plans. The Ministry of External Affairs has reiterated its advisory that Indian citizens refrain from travelling to Iran at this time due to the unstable conditions. The evacuation comes against the backdrop of widespread protests across major Iranian cities that have drawn international attention. Several countries, including the United States, have issued stern advisories urging their citizens to leave Iran, citing safety concerns amid intensifying unrest. India’s evacuation measures reflect a continuation of its efforts to safeguard its diaspora in crisis zones. In mid-2025, New Delhi conducted a large-scale evacuation, known as Operation Sindhu, to extract thousands of Indian nationals from Iran and neighbouring conflict areas during heightened hostilities in the region. As the first special flight prepares to depart, Indian authorities remain focused on coordinating further departures and ensuring the safe repatriation of citizens from Iran. The situation remains fluid, and New Delhi has stressed that all Indian nationals should stay vigilant and maintain communication with embassy officials for the latest guidance.