Iodine tablets in India: dose, distribution and nuclear zones

Short answer. India's NDMA nuclear emergency guidelines set iodine prophylaxis at 130 mg of potassium iodide (KI) or 170 mg of potassium iodate (KIO3) if exposure to radioactive iodine is anticipated ¹. District authorities distribute tablets during an emergency, around nuclear power plants with a 16 km Emergency Planning Zone ¹². Potassium iodide is not on India's prescription-only schedules, but any sale of a drug requires a licence ⁴⁵.

What dose does India set?

NDMA's Management of Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies guidelines (February 2009, section 8.11.1) state ¹:

"administration of 130 mg of Potassium Iodide (KI) or 170 mg of Potassium Iodate (KIO3) will prevent the uptake of radioactive Iodine."

The guidelines give this single figure and no breakdown by age ¹. Doses for children, pregnant women and older people are therefore not covered here. Do not adapt the adult figure yourself: follow the instructions given by the authorities at the time, or a doctor's advice.

For how iodine tablets work in general, and their limits, see our guide on potassium iodide.

When should iodine be taken?

According to the guidelines, iodine prophylaxis applies if exposure to radioiodine is anticipated, as after radioactive releases from a major reactor accident ¹. NDMA's nuclear Do's and Don'ts advise switching on radio or television for public announcements in a nuclear emergency ³: that is where the instruction to take tablets would come from.

Who distributes the tablets?

The authorities, during the emergency. The guidelines list, among response actions: "If required, distribute iodine tablets at the earliest (iodine prophylaxis)" ¹. An off-site emergency at a nuclear power plant is handled by an off-site emergency committee headed by the District Magistrate ². The guidelines also ask each vulnerable state to stockpile specialised medical stores that include potassium iodide or iodate ¹.

Who lives in the planning zone?

NDMA describes an Emergency Planning Zone of 16 km radius around nuclear power plants ¹². Residents of that zone are the population for whom off-site emergency plans, including iodine distribution, are prepared. For how planning zones work in general, see nuclear plant zones.

Can I buy iodine tablets in India?

Not on prescription-only rules, but only from a licensed seller. Under rule 65(9)(a) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, substances in Schedules H, H1 and X may only be sold by retail on a doctor's prescription ⁴. Potassium iodide does not appear in those schedules, in the texts as amended up to 31 December 2016 and 30 September 2020 ⁴⁵. Section 18(c) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act forbids selling any drug except under a licence ⁴.

India has no public national register of marketed medicines, so no official record of a 130 mg KI tablet on sale was found. Do not take iodine without an official instruction.

Frequently asked questions

What is the iodine dose in India's nuclear guidelines?

130 mg of potassium iodide (KI) or 170 mg of potassium iodate (KIO3), if exposure to radioiodine is anticipated ¹.

Do I need a prescription for potassium iodide in India?

No prescription schedule covers it: potassium iodide is not listed in Schedules H, H1 or X ⁴⁵. It must still be sold by a licensed seller ⁴.

Who gives out iodine tablets in a nuclear emergency?

District authorities, under the off-site emergency committee headed by the District Magistrate ¹².

How large is the emergency zone around Indian nuclear plants?

The Emergency Planning Zone has a radius of 16 km ¹².

Should I take iodine as soon as I hear of a nuclear accident?

No. NDMA links iodine prophylaxis to anticipated exposure to radioiodine, with tablets distributed by the authorities ¹. Follow official announcements ³.

Sources

1. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) — National Disaster Management Guidelines—Management of Nuclear and Radiological Emergencies (February 2009), sections 8.5.7 and 8.11.1 — http://ndma.gov.in/images/guidelines/managementofnuclearradiologicalemergencies.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21; checked on archived copy https://web.archive.org/web/20171025221946/http://ndma.gov.in/images/guidelines/managementofnuclearradiologicalemergencies.pdf)
2. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) — Nuclear and Radiological Emergency — https://ndma.gov.in/Man-made-Hazards/Nuclear (accessed 2026-10-21; checked on archived copy https://web.archive.org/web/20250317233511/https://ndma.gov.in/Man-made-Hazards/Nuclear)
3. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) — Nuclear: Do's & Dont's — https://ndma.gov.in/Man-made-Hazards/Nuclear/Dos-Donts (accessed 2026-10-21; checked on archived copy https://web.archive.org/web/20250417153315/http://www.ndma.gov.in/Man-made-Hazards/Nuclear/Dos-Donts)
4. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) — The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945 (as amended up to 31 December 2016) — https://cdsco.gov.in/opencms/export/sites/CDSCO_WEB/Pdf-documents/acts_rules/2016DrugsandCosmeticsAct1940Rules1945.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21; checked on archived copy https://web.archive.org/web/20210726131815/https://www.cdsco.gov.in/opencms/export/sites/CDSCO_WEB/Pdf-documents/acts_rules/2016DrugsandCosmeticsAct1940Rules1945.pdf)
5. High Court of Tripura — Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 (as amended up to 30 September 2020) — https://www.thc.nic.in/Tripura%20State%20Lagislation%20Rules/Drugs%20and%20Cosmetics%20Rules,%201945.pdf (accessed 2026-10-21)