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Land of Opportunities

Diversity  

India is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic Republic comprising 25 States and seven centrally administered Union Territories. India is the second-most populous country in the world with a population of more than one billion. It has lofty mountain ranges  of  the Himalayas, beautiful valley of Kashmir, large expanse of deserts in Rajasthan,  and also the wettest place, Cherrapunji, in Assam. It has an area of 3.3 million sq.km. and a coastline of 7,600 km. There are 17 major languages with 844 regional dialects. Hindi is the official language, though English is widely used for official work. Hinduism, Islam,Christianity, Sikhism,  Jainism, Buddhism all flourish India.  While Bharat Natyam  and Kathakalli are famous dances of the South, Bhangra and Garba are popular in  the North.  Similarly,  every region has its own special culnary delights and popular attires.  This will give you an idea of the geographical, linguistic, religious and cultural diversity of India.

Visa and Special Permits

Tourist visas are issued by Indian Missions and Consulates abroad for a period up to six months. These  can be extended by three months at the foreigners' registration office in New Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Madras, or with the Superintendent of Police at any District Headquarters. Four passport size photographs are needed for obtaining a visa.  In addition, Business Visas, Student Visas, Entry Visas are issued for varying periods depending on the need of the applicant.

If stay in the country exceeds 180 days, then visitors are required to get a tax clearance certificate, available at the foreigners' section of the income tax department in every major city. It is also advisable to keep bank receipts to show that the money has been changed legally.

Restricted Area Permits may be required additionally along with the visa to visit certain areas of the country. Areas such as parts of Sikkim and the north-east frontier states, and northeast of Himachal Pradesh near the Tibetan border are out of bounds for foreign nationals. Application for Restricted Area Permits should be made to the India Mission/Consulate abroad along with the Visa Application, in case a visit to any of these areas is planned.  Restricted Area Permits can also be issued in India at the discretion of Ministry of Home Affairs Foreigners' Section, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi 110 003.  Applications must be submitted at least four weeks in advance.

Money and Banks

India's currency is the Rupee, abbreviated as Rs. One Rupee is equal to hundred paise. Notes are in denominations of  10, 20, 50, 100 and 500.  One Pound Sterling = Rs.70(approximately) and one US $=Rs.44(approximately).

Traveller's cheques and credit cards

It is advisable to carry a mixture of cash and traveller's cheques to deal with  any situation. US dollars and  pounds sterling can be changed very easily. Other hard currencies such as Yen, French Francs, Canadian Dollars, Deutsche Mark can also be changed in tourist areas and big cities. A currency declaration form has to be filled out by the tourists if they enter the country with US$10,000 or its equivalent in any other currency. Tourists can get a relatively better exchange rate for traveller's cheques and they are safer to carry though not as liquid as cash. American Express, Visa or Thomas Cook Traveller Cheques are readily accepted.  A growing number of hotels, restaurants and shops are beginning to accept credit cards, the well known and more accepted ones being American Express, Access,  Mastercard, Diners Club and Visa.

Main addresses for Traveller's Cheques and Credit Cards

Banks

Banking hours in India are generally from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Mon-Fri) and from 10 a.m.-12 noon on Saturdays. Banks at the Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, and Madras airports, Ashoka hotel in Delhi and the Air India building in Mumbai are open 24 hours a day.  

You can also wire money into India. These services are offered by foreign banks with branches in India and also with Indian banks with branches abroad such as the State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda.

Vaccinations

Foreign tourists should be in possession of their Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate conforming to International Health Regulations, if they are originating or transiting through Africa or South America. The validity of this certificate is for a period of 10 years.

No other vaccination certificate is needed, but for personal protection, inoculation is recommended for cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis.