By Vikas Sir, Founder & Senior Faculty – Cosmo Classes | 13 July 2026

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) withdrew its notification dated 3 October 2017 on 12 July 2026, which had imposed special conditions on Indian citizens travelling to Yemen. The withdrawal order was issued under Section 19(d) of the Passports Act, 1967, and the new gazette notification was dated 10 July 2026.

Yemen has faced civil war and armed conflict since 2014, and India had imposed travel restrictions in 2017 because of the precarious security situation. The MEA continues to advise Indian nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Yemen and to assess the local security situation before any unavoidable journey.

Section 19(d) of the Passports Act, 1967 empowers the Government of India to regulate travel-related matters through official orders. Indian nationals in Yemen have been advised to remain vigilant and to register with the Embassy of India in Riyadh for communication and emergency assistance.

Exam Facts

  • Action: MEA withdrew the 2017 Yemen travel notification on 12 July 2026.
  • Legal basis: Section 19(d) of the Passports Act, 1967.
  • Yemen: Located in the south-western part of the Arabian Peninsula.
  • Civil war: Ongoing in Yemen since 2014.
  • Embassy: Embassy of India in Riyadh handles Yemen-related consular matters.

Practice Questions

Q1.Under which Act did India withdraw the Yemen travel restriction?
A. Citizenship Act
B. Passports Act, 1967
C. Foreigners Act
D. RTI Act

Show Answer

Answer: B – Passports Act, 1967.

Q2.The civil war in Yemen began in which year?
A. 2011
B. 2014
C. 2017
D. 2020

Show Answer

Answer: B – 2014.

Q3.Yemen is located in which peninsula?
A. Iberian
B. Arabian
C. Balkan
D. Korean

Show Answer

Answer: B – Arabian Peninsula.

Q4.The original Yemen travel restriction was imposed in which year?
A. 2015
B. 2016
C. 2017
D. 2018

Show Answer

Answer: C – 2017.

Q5.Which embassy handles Indian consular matters for Yemen?
A. Cairo
B. Riyadh
C. Dubai
D. Muscat

Show Answer

Answer: B – Embassy of India in Riyadh.

UPSC / RPSC Relevance

  • UPSC Prelims: International relations, Passports Act, West Asia geography.
  • UPSC Mains – GS Paper II: India and its neighbourhood, diaspora, foreign policy.
  • RPSC / SSC: Current affairs and static GK (West Asia, Yemen).

UPSC Mains Descriptive Question

Q. Protecting Indian nationals in conflict zones is a priority of India's foreign policy. Discuss the role of travel advisories and diaspora welfare in India's engagement with West Asia. (250 words, 15 marks)