Tear gas in India: The law, the science and the human cost
This article examines the history, chemical composition, and health risks associated with tear gas used by Indian law enforcement. It provides context on the tool's use during recent protests regarding the NEET-UG 2026 paper leak allegations.
Why it matters
It provides critical public interest information regarding the safety and ethical implications of crowd-control tactics used during civil unrest.
Tear Gas has long been one of the potent crowd-control tools in the country to curb public demonstration. The ‘anti-protest’ tactic, which traces back to pre-world war times, has become a standard part of riot-control policing across the world . The use of tear gas to disperse protesters has once again come under scrutiny following allegations of excessive force during demonstrations over the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.
In the past, certain modifications have been undertaken to alleviate the chances of ‘fatal incidents’ due to dispersal of ‘Tear Gas’.
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