Responding to media reports that said journalists too would have to obtain NOCs to travel to India, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry said the directive applied only to singers and artists travelling to India.

Journalists are not required to seek NOCs from the Interior Ministry, the spokesman said.
NOCs will be issued only to singers and artists recommended by the Culture Ministry, he added.

The move has outraged actors and theatre artists, who have said they will challenge it in the Supreme Court.

Authorities introduced the measure close on the heels of the detention of singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan in India on charges of illegal possession of foreign currency.
The measure will come into effect from March 15.

Khan was detained after he and members of his troupe were found to be carrying undeclared foreign currency worth 124,000 dollars.

He was let off after he paid a fine of Rs 15 lakhs. The singer blamed the incident on his lack of knowledge of Indian customs laws.