Is GHK-Cu (copper peptide) legal in India?

GHK-Cu is a copper-binding peptide used as a skin-care ingredient, with little human evidence for injected use. Topical cosmetic products are regulated separately under the Cosmetics Rules, 2020, and CDSCO's May 2026 notice says no cosmetic may be injected. The CDSCO expert-committee records reviewed (2015 to September 2026) show no marketing application or permission for it. Under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019, a drug that the Central Licensing Authority has not approved is a 'new drug' and may not be made for sale or distribution without permission, and CDSCO has used this rule to direct State Drug Controllers to act against other unapproved products (for example, enclomiphene in August 2026). I found no CDSCO notice naming this specific substance, so it is listed as not approved rather than prohibited.