India

India (Hindi: भारत Bhārat), the largest country in South Asia, is one of the world's oldest civilisations with staggering cultural diversity. Once revered as 'the golden bird', India's cultural heritage is a rich amalgam of the past and present. The most populous nation in the world, India offers the traveller a view of fascinating religions, a smorgasbord of languages, diverse food, and architectural masterpieces that were built millennia ago and remain intact today.

In addition to bustling cities like Delhi, Mumbai or Varanasi, India offers an incredible array of natural wonders like the breathtaking Kashmir Valley, the vast desert of Rajasthan, the rugged coasts of Goa, and the mighty Kangchenjunga. As the nation opens up to a globalised world, India still has a depth of history and intensity of culture that awe and fascinate the many who visit there.

India is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories. The larger states are broadly demarcated on linguistic lines and are often bigger than many countries of Europe. The union territories are either independent cities (Chandigarh and Delhi), offshore island chains (Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep), clusters of enclaves (Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and Pondicherry), or state-sized regions (Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh).

The states and union territories are grouped by convention into the following regions:

Himalayan North (Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand) Mountainous and beautiful, a tourist destination for the adventurous and the spiritual. This region contains some of India's most visited hill stations and religious places.

The Plains (Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Chandigarh, Delhi) The plains, India's breadbasket, are watered by the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna and their tributaries. The region also features the country's capital New Delhi, Agra of Taj Mahal fame, and the holy cities of Mathura, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Bodh Gaya and Amritsar. Many of the events that shaped India's history took place in this region.

Western India (Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu) Home to the vast Thar Desert; the colourful palaces, forts and cities of Rajasthan; the country's most vibrant city and financial capital, Mumbai; the mesmerising rock-cut caves of Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra; pristine forests; the wonderful beaches of Goa; the only wild Asiatic lions; and the rapidly developing cities of Ahmedabad, Surat, Jaipur and Pune.

Central India (Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh) Breathtaking and vibrant, a landlocked region that offers everything from rolling hills, dramatic waterfalls and abundant wildlife, to classical architecture, tribal heritage and modern steel industry. Home to the Vindhya and Satpura mountains; the Chitrakote Falls; the prehistoric Bhimbetka caves; the erotic sculptures of Khajuraho; and the Bhilai-Durg industrial area.

Eastern India (Jharkhand, Odisha, Sikkim, West Bengal) Economically less developed, but culturally rich and perhaps the most welcoming to outsiders. Features Kolkata, once the capital of British India, and the temple cities of Puri, Bhubaneswar and Konark. The region stretches from the mountains to the coast, resulting in fascinating variations in climate. It is also the mineral storehouse of India, having the country's largest and richest mines.

North-Eastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura) Insular and relatively virgin, this is the country's tribal corner, with lush, beautiful landscapes, endemic flora and fauna of the Indo-Malayan group and famed tea gardens. Consists of seven states popularly known as the "Seven Sisters". The world's oldest polo ground, the world's only floating national park, the world's only women-run market and the world's tallest topiary plant can be seen in Manipur. The state of Meghalaya is depicted as the "Scotland of India" because of its mesmerising environment.

Southern India (Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, Telangana) Features famous and historical temples, tropical forests, backwaters, beaches, hill stations, and the big cities of Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. The city of Mysore is renowned for its palaces, especially the Mysore Palace. The island groups of Andaman and Nicobar on the east and Lakshadweep on the west, included in this region for convenience, are far from the mainland, have their unique characteristics, are known for beautiful beaches and are off-the-beaten-path tourist getaways.

• The term "Northern India" is used to loosely refer to the northern part of the country, especially the Himalayan North, and parts of the Plains and Rajasthan. It may also include western, central and eastern parts of the country, especially when used in contrast to southern India.

These are some of India's most notable cities. Other cities can be found under their specific regions.

• 28.66666777.2166671 Delhi – the capital of India and the heart of Northern India
• 12.9791277.59132 Bengaluru (Bangalore) – the beautiful garden city, once the sleepy home of pensioners, now transformed into a hub for high-technology companies and sprouting pubs.
• 13.082580.2753 Chennai (Madras) – the main port in Southern India, cultural centre, automobile capital of India
• 17.36166778.4747224 Hyderabad – known for pearl and diamond trading, and for the classic Indian rice dish biryani, now with major manufacturing and financial institutions
• 26.91575.825 Jaipur – the Pink City, a major exhibit of the Hindu Rajput culture of medieval India
• 22.567588.376 Kolkata (Calcutta) – the cultural capital of India, known as the City of Joy, and home to numerous colonial buildings
• 19.07583372.87757 Mumbai (Bombay) – the financial capital of India, the city that never sleeps, home of "Bollywood", the Hindi film industry
• 31.10333377.1722228 Shimla – capital of Himachal Pradesh, perched high on the Himalayas, more than 2 km above sea level
• 25.31888983.0127789 Varanasi (Kashi or Banaras) – considered the most sacred Hindu city, on the banks of the Ganges, one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world

India has many outstanding landmarks and areas of outstanding beauty. Here are some of the most notable.

• 24.69584.99251 Bodh Gaya – the main temple complex, which includes the Mahabodhi temple, is the place where the Buddha Sakyamuni attained enlightenment
• 20.02638975.1791672 Ellora and 20.55341775.7004723 Ajanta – spectacular rock-cut cave monasteries and temples, holy places for the Buddhists, Jains and Hindus
• 31.6274.8766674 Golden Temple – Sikh holy site in Amritsar
• 15.33454776.4621625 Hampi – the awesome ruins of the empire of Vijayanagara
• 24.85279679.9254946 Khajuraho – temple complexes famed for their erotic sculptures
• 19.88782286.0947857 Konark – Sun Temple, a unique example of Kalingan architecture, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site
• 9.91972278.1194448 Meenakshi Temple – a spectacular Hindu temple in Madurai
• 27.17578.0419449 Taj Mahal – the incomparable marble tomb in Agra, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World

Capital	New Delhi
Currency	Indian rupee (INR)
Population	1.3 billion (2020)
Electricity	230 volt / 50 hertz (Europlug, AC power plugs and sockets: British and related types, BS 546)
Country code	+91
Time zone	Asia/Kolkata
Emergencies	112, 100 (police), 101 (fire department), 102 (emergency medical services), 108 (emergency)
Driving side	left
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"Incredible India", proclaimed a long-running and for once accurate tourism campaign. India is mind-blowing, in ways good and bad. From opulent luxury to abject misery, congested cities to tranquil countryside, dense jungles and coral reefs to desolate deserts and tall mountains, India truly has it all. This extends to people, culture, language and food, which can vary wildly in ways small and large. India shows extreme variation in most things, and one needs patience and luck to find the best. Never assume you know everything about any aspect of India; be prepared to see completely new things every day.

"India" and "Bharat" are the names of the country mentioned in the Constitution of India, and both are used to represent the country internationally.

The name "India" is from the Indus River, on whose plains the Indus Valley Civilisation flourished. The ancient Greeks named the lands east of Persia "Indica" or "India", which came from Sanskrit Sindhu (सिन्धु), meaning a "river" or "ocean".

The name Bhārat (भारत) is a short form of the longer Sanskrit name Bhāratavarsha (भारतवर्ष). It is popularly believed that the country is named Bhārat after legendary emperor Bharata. According to Jain tradition, Bharata is the eldest son of Rishavadeva, the first Jain tirthankara.

Hindustān (हिंदुस्तान / هندوستان), another common name for India, is also derived from the Indus River; the Persians used the name for the land east of the Indus River. It is commonly heard in slogans at sport events, as well as in advertising campaigns and company names.

Indian civilisation, one of the oldest in the world, has been hugely influential throughout history. Many of the cultures of Southeast Asia exhibit strong Indian influences, some of which have also seeped into the cultures of East Asia through the spread of Buddhism. India's scientific discoveries were carried through the Silk Road to Europe and beyond, most notably in astronomy and mathematics. The depth and complexity of the civilisation, with its rich heritage, has fascinated the world for many centuries.

India has been inhabited since the early Stone Age, over two million years ago. Homo sapiens first arrived on the subcontinent around 73,000–55,000 years ago. Settlements around the Indus River evolved into the Indus Valley Civilisation (3300–1300 BCE) in present-day Pakistan and western India, one of the world's first Bronze Age civilisations and very advanced for its time. However, it declined due to its persistent drought around 1900 BCE.

Around 1800–1500 BCE, the Aryans migrated into India from Central Asia, followed by the Vedic period (1500–500 BCE) when the Hindu scripture Vedas were composed and orally transmitted in an earlier form of Sanskrit. The following period saw the consolidation of chiefdoms into powerful kingdoms and republics. The literature at the time forms the theoretical basis of classical Hinduism, which ranges from the Upanishads and Puranas to the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. At the same time, various schools of thought under the shramaṇa (ascetic) movement questioned the Vedic authority, two of which (Buddhism and Jainism) were later recognised as separate religions.

The Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE) unified much of the subcontinent under a single emperor, with the capital in Pataliputra (present-day Patna). Ashoka, the third emperor, had a bloody war with Kalinga (present-day Odisha) in 280 BCE, which led him to shun violence and sponsor Buddhist missions across his empire and beyond. The Maurya Empire declined after his death, followed by successive invasions from foreign powers.

The Gupta Empire (320–550) reunified much of the subcontinent. Often called the Golden Age of India, the Gupta period witnessed the resurgence of Hinduism and Sanskrit literature, as well as advancements in astronomy, mathematics and physics, and the spread of Indian culture to much of Asia. Hunnic invasions from Central Asia led to the decline of the Gupta Empire, followed by a series of conflicts between three empires over the control of Kanyakubja (present-day Kannauj). Meanwhile, Southern India saw the rise of multiple imperial powers, most notably the Chola Empire (848–1279), which at its peak covered parts of Eastern India and Southeast Asia. The Pallava Empire (275–897) built magnificent Hindu temples in Mamallapuram and Kanchipuram.

Islam arrived in India through the conquests between 8th and 12th centuries. Gradually, the raiders started staying as rulers, and the Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526) at its peak covered much of the northern half of India. The Vijayanagara Empire (1336–1646) resisted Muslim conquests in Southern India till 1565 when they were defeated by an alliance of sultanates. Buddhism and Jainism declined in India and largely assimilated to Hindu traditions during this period.

The Delhi Sultanate was followed by the Mughal Empire (1526–1858), which at its peak covered almost the entire subcontinent, producing monumental gems like the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri and the Red Fort. Local powers like the Rajputs and Ahoms (1228–1826) are known to resist Mughal expansion in their regions, and they also built great monuments. The empire declined in the 18th century, largely due to the rise of the Maratha Empire (1674–1818) as a major power as well as conflicts with the followers of Sikhism in the Punjab region.

Europeans started visiting India following the discovery of the Cape Route in 1498. The East India Company, on behalf of the British government, acquired control of virtually all of the subcontinent between 1757 and 1857. Starting from 1833, the British would send Indian workers and civil servants all over the British Empire, leading to the development of Indian diaspora. 1857 saw a large-cale large-scale anti-colonial uprising by sepoys (privates) and rulers, and although the British suppressed it in 1858, the Company lost power to the British Crown and became a part of the British Raj.

The British period saw social reform movements questioning the existing orthodoxy in religions, as well as renewed interests in classical arts. India also experienced some of the deadliest famines and epidemics during this period, often blamed on the policies of the British government.

After the First World War, the Indian National Congress (INC) launched a non-violent struggle for independence led by Mahatma Gandhi. During the Second World War, Subhas Chandra Bose left India to forge military alliances with Germany and Japan for independence; some 40,000 Indians joined the Indian National Army (INA) founded by Bose associated-groups fought on the side of the Axis Powers; whilst most Indians fought on the side of the British and the Allied Powers (over 2.5 million by 1945). Around the same time, the Muslim League advocated for a separate Muslim nation, leading to Hindu-Muslim riots across Bengal in 1946. On 14-15 August 1947, British India was partitioned into Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan. The Punjab and Bengal regions were also partitioned along religious lines, which led to an orgy of communal bloodletting between Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs, leaving at least half a million dead. Over ten million people migrated between India and Pakistan in 1947, making it one of the largest mass migrations in modern history.

Much of the 565 princely states (vassal states under British India) were absorbed into independent India in 1947-48, including Kashmir. However, Kashmir became the source of territorial disputes with Pakistan, causing four wars between the two nations. Besides, there have been terrorist attacks in Kashmir and major Indian cities, many of which are believed to have originated in Pakistan and been ordered or assisted by its military-intelligence complex.

China, another ancient civilisation, was a major partner of India during the classical period, and both countries are in the BRICS bloc today. However, relations between the two countries soured when the Chinese annexed Tibet in 1951 and the Dalai Lama moved to India in 1959. Territorial disputes over Aksai Chin, and India's North-East led to wars with China in 1962 and 1967. The dispute regarding Sikkim was resolved in 2007, however the status of other disputes over Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh remain unresolved, and have been flashpoints.

Although India was a leader of the Third World and the Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War, it made a loose alliance with the Soviet Union in 1971 when Pakistan was aligned with the United States. It also obtained nuclear weapons due to security concerns with China and Pakistan, with nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998.

From the 1950s to the 1980s, India followed socialist-inspired policies, often called license raj due to extensive regulation, protectionism and public ownership. However, large-scale corruption and slow economic growth led the country to adopt free-market reforms and pursue economic liberalisation since 1991, making it the world's fastest growing economy.

India occupies the peninsular tip of South Asia, and much of the population lives on the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The country shares long land borders with Bangladesh to the east, China to the north and Pakistan to the west, as well as smaller borders with Myanmar to the east, and Bhutan and Nepal to the north.

The country has six major mountain ranges. The snow-capped Himalayas are the highest in the world, extending from Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. They are the youngest of the three ranges, offering hiking, camping and sightseeing opportunities. The Western Ghats (Sahyadri) extend along the Arabian Sea coast, and the Eastern Ghats along the Bay of Bengal coast. The Vindhyas and Satpuras cut across Central India, separating the northern Plains from the Deccan Plateau to the south. The Aravalli Range, India's own Appalachians, separate Rajasthan's Thar Desert from its alluvial plain.

North-Eastern India is connected to the rest of the country through a narrow strip of land in northern West Bengal, namely the Siliguri Corridor. Except Assam and inner Manipur, much of the Northeast is hilly.

The Ganges (Ganga) is India's longest and most important river at over 2,500 km (1,600 mi) long. The river rises from the Himalayas of Uttarakhand, and flows through Northern and Eastern India before emptying into the Bay of Bengal, forming both the largest river delta and the largest mangrove forest in the world. The Indus (Sindhu), historically the second-most important river, starts from Tibet and flows through Ladakh before entering Pakistan. The Deccan is fed mainly by the Narmada, Tapti, Godavari, Krishna and Kaveri (Cauvery) rivers.

India has a 12,000–17,000 km (7,500–10,600 mi) long coastline along the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Laccadive Sea; all three parts of the Indian Ocean. The country also has two offshore island chains: the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on the Bay of Bengal, and Lakshadweep on the Arabian Sea.

The climate of India ranges between tropical in the south and humid subtropical in the north. In general, India experiences four seasons a year: winter (Dec–Feb), summer (Mar–May), monsoon (Jun–Sep) and autumn (Oct–Nov).

Winter is relatively cold compared to summer, with temperatures around 10–15 °C (50–59 °F) in the north and 20–25 °C (68–77 °F) in the south. However, calling the 25 °C (77 °F) temperature "winter" in southern India would be stretching the concept. Snow is almost heard of except the Himalayan region but the country experiences notorious fog during the season, which grows thick enough to hinder visibility and disrupt air travel. In addition, cities like Delhi and Kolkata experience deadly smog.

Summer is exceedingly hot; temperatures in low-lying areas may exceed 50 °C (122 °F) during May, leading to heat waves that can each kill hundreds of Indians. The country also experiences the "Loo", a series of strong, gusty, hot and dry winds during the day.

Monsoon arrives in two branches: one through the Arabian Sea and the other through the Bay of Bengal. It causes rains over most parts of the country and is the crucial variable that decides how the crops will do, affecting the health of the Indian economy. The coastline and the Plains are much greener than the interior as crossing the respective mountains is literally an uphill task. On average, the south receives more rainfall than the north, and North-Eastern India experiences the highest rainfall in the world during monsoon.

Autumn or post-monsoon sees a different monsoon cycle, namely the northeast monsoon, which brings dry, cool and dense air to much of India. This period marks the transition from wet to dry season. It then crosses the Bay of Bengal and hits the coast of Tamil Nadu, meaning the state receives rains from both monsoons.

The coastal states often experience cyclones between May and November, causing much devastation every year.

Rajasthan is largely dry and flat, turning into desert in the west. Cloudbursts during monsoon is responsible for rain in the region, and such rainfall is highly erratic.

The Himalayas are cold and snowy. Even during the summer, temperatures are cool in the mountains, and snow can fall nearly year-round. Ladakh is a cold desert, a region of barren, arid, frigid and wind-blown wastelands.

Often called the "world's largest democracy", India is a parliamentary federal republic modelled on the British Westminster system. It consists of 28 states and 8 union territories. The Constitution of India, the world's largest legal document, sets out the separation of jurisdiction between the union (central) and state governments.

The bicameral Parliament consists of the lower house Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the upper house Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Lok Sabha is popularly elected every five years, and the Rajya Sabha is elected indirectly. Most states are unicameral with a Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha), and some states are bicameral with an additional Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad).

The President, the head of state, is elected indirectly by an electoral college of union and state legislators. Their role is largely ceremonial, although the President has the power to veto any bills that have been passed by Parliament. The Prime Minister (PM), the head of government, wields the most authority and is by convention a leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha. Each state similarly has its own Governor and Chief Minister (CM), and each Governor has one or more official residences (Lok Bhavan).

Two major political parties have dominated at the central level since the late 1990s: the centre-left Indian National Congress (INC) and the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); the BJP has been the ruling party since May 2014. Both parties have their own coalitions, namely the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

Elections in India follow the British first-past-the-post system, and each constituency votes for a local MP (Member of Parliament) or MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly) who then goes to sit in the respective legislature to debate and vote. The system ensures that small parties only get representation in the legislature if they have a strong local base of support, whereas non-major parties with nationwide support have a hard time getting seats in proportion to their vote share or at all.

While five of the eight union territories are governed directly from New Delhi with an executive Lieutenant Governor (LG) or Administrator, the remaining three (Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Pondicherry) are structured similar to a state with a Legislative Assembly and a Chief Minister.

The Supreme Court sits at the top of India's judiciary, and the 25 High Courts deal with the judicial matters internal to one or more state or union territory.

The cities are governed by various municipal councils and corporations, each headed by a mayor or councillor. In contrast, many towns and villages are governed by panchayats (literally the "council of five officials"), each headed by a sarpanch. The local heads are elected every five years.

India is made up of hundreds of ethnic groups, and its culture varies significantly across regions; you will find Karnataka or Tamil Nadu in the South to be very different culturally from Rajasthan or Uttar Pradesh in the North. Despite the difference, there exists a strong sense of national identity and certain unifying themes that link the diverse cultures.

Despite being a secular state, religion plays a major role in Indian society, and India's rich and multi-layered culture is dominated by religious and spiritual themes. Besides being the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism and Sanamahism, India also has a significant presence of Islam and Christianity, and to a lesser extent, Judaism, Zoroastrianism (Parsis) and Baha'i Faith.

Indians greatly value their family, and a typical Indian family encompasses what would be called an extended family in the West. It's common for Indians to live with their parents and sons all their lives, and their daughters till their marriage. Parents support their children longer, and sons are expected to support their parents in their old age. While the extended family system is not perfect and is prone to strains and breakups, it is still seen as an ideal to aspire to, and Indians continue to care about their family's honour, achievements and failures even while they are not living together.

Indian society is very much stratified with the caste system centred around four "varnas", namely Brahmins (priests), Kshatriyas (rulers and warriors), Vaishyas (traders and merchants) and Shudras (labourers), with the population outside being grouped into Dalits (oppressed groups) and Adivasi (tribes). Despite having roots in Hinduism, the system was later applied to Muslims, Christians and Buddhists. The Indian government recognises Dalit and Adivasi communities as Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) respectively.

Indians care more about a person's background and position in society, and saving face is a major value in Indian culture. This attitude, when combined with the legacy of colonial rule, results in some rather interesting, if unfortunate consequences. People with white skin are placed high on the societal totem pole, and they may find that Indians are obsequious towards them to the point of embarrassment. People with dark skin, however, may find that they are discriminated against. If it is any consolation, Indians display similar prejudices based on skin colour and ethnicity among themselves and not just towards foreigners.

The Siddi, the Indian equivalent of Black people in other countries, are descended from the African slaves brought to India during Islamic rule. They are found mainly in remote villages and retain many African customs like dance and music. Despite being Indian citizens, due to lack of awareness of their existence from the general Indian population, they are often presumed to be illegal immigrants from Africa and face much discrimination.

European colonisation gave rise to various mixed-race populations like Anglo-Indians (mixed British and Indian), Franco-Indians (mixed French and Indian) and Luso-Indians (mixed Portuguese and Indian). While most Anglo-Indians migrated to the United Kingdom, Canada or Australia following independence, pockets of them remain in Indian cities.

India is almost fully metricated. However, a few vestiges from the British imperial system remain. For example:

• Clothing sizes are advertised in both inches and centimetres.
• Cake weights are still measured in pounds, although other weights have switched to kilograms and grams.
• Land areas are still measured in acres.
• Housing properties are still advertised in square feet.
• Screen sizes are advertised in inches.

In addition to acres, land areas are also measured in bighas. One bigha is generally understood to mean 14,400 ft² (1,340 m²) or nearly a third of an acre, although other definitions exist in various Indian states. In Bihar and West Bengal, one bigha is divided into 20 kathas or cottahs, with one katha equal to 720 ft² (67 m²).

Besides, Indians commonly use "lakh" and "crore" for 100,000 and 10,000,000 respectively. As they come from Indian languages, these words have been adopted so deeply into Indian English that most speakers are not aware that other dialects don't use them. You may also find unorthodox placement of commas when writing numbers, like 1,00,00,000 for 10 million. In this case, you place the first comma after three digits and then after two digits. This format may puzzle you unless you think in terms of lakhs and crores.

Although it geographically spans two time zones, India officially follows the Indian Standard Time (IST) year-round, which is five and a half hours ahead of universal time (UTC+5:30). It is often labelled "Asia/Kolkata" or "Asia/Calcutta" in phone or computer time zone settings because Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) was the capital of India when the IST was set up in 1905 – the time zone itself is based on the local time at Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.

All government offices close on the three "national holidays"; however, private businesses can choose whether or not to observe them.

• Republic Day (26 January) — anniversary of the day India's constitution came into effect, becoming a sovereign, socialist, secular republic; the formation of the Republic of India.

• Independence Day (15 August) — anniversary of the day of Indian independence; the formation of the Dominion of India.

• Gandhi Jayanti (2 October) — birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi; widely considered Father of the Nation.

The central government declares additional "central holidays" on religious festivals. Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Jain festivals occur on different days every year, as they follow a common lunisolar calendar. However, being lunisolar, those days often fall within a certain Gregorian month range. Muslim festivals also occur on different days every year due to the Islamic lunar calendar, but they don't fall within a certain Gregorian month range.

The central holidays based on the Gregorian calendar are Good Friday (the Friday before Easter) and Christmas Day (25 Dec).

The central holidays based on the lunisolar calendar are:

• Holi, Phalguna (March) — the Hindu festival of colour, observed on new moon.
• Ram Navami, Chaitra (March-April) — birth anniversary of Ram (Hindu), observed on ninth day of waxing moon.
• Mahavir Jayanti, Chaitra (Mar–Apr) — birth anniversary of Mahavira (Jain), observed on the 13th day of waxing moon.
• Buddha Purnima, Vaishakha (Apr–Jun) — birth anniversary of the Buddha (Buddhism), observed on full moon.
• Krishna Janmashtami, Bhadrapada/Shravana (Aug-Sep) — birth anniversary of Krishna (Hindu), observed on the 8th day of waxing moon.
• Dussehra, Ashvin (Sep–Oct) — observed on the tenth day of waxing moon.
• Diwali, Kartika/Ashvin (Oct–Nov) — the Hindu festival of lights, observed on new moon.
• Guru Nanak Gurpurab, Kartika (Oct–Nov) — birth anniversary of Guru Nanak (Sikhism), observed on full moon.

The central holidays based on the Islamic calendar are the following; however, India uses Persianate names of Muslim festivals rather than the Arabic ones. They are provided for the Muslim community to celebrate.

• Id-e-Milad-un-Nabi (12 Rabi' al-Awwal) — birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad.
• Id-ul-Fitr (1 Shawwal) — festival of 'breaking the fast' after Ramadan.
• Muharram (10 Muharram) — first month of Islamic calendar.
• Id-ul-Zuha (10 Dhu al-Hijjah) — festival of sacrifice.

Different regions might give somewhat different names to the same festival. To cater to varying religious practices, offices have a list of "optional" or "restricted" holidays from which employees are allowed to pick two, in addition to the list of fixed holidays. This may mean thin attendance and delayed service even when the office is officially open.

Various states and union territories also have their own "state holidays" based on which festivals are important in that state. Generally, the day on which the state was formed will also be a holiday in that state. See the respective state articles for details.

During festivals it is very likely especially if travelling you may experience significant traffic or delays caused by plenty of transport of people or any processions or parades that may occur. Plan ahead if you are travelling and be prepared to cut back, shift or cancel your plans.

• The India they saw : foreign accounts, by Meenakshi Jain (2011). A compilation of intriguing travel tales and excerpts from travelogues by travellers, writers, pilgrims and missionaries.
• A Goddess in the Stones: Travels in India by Norman Lewis (Cape 1991; US: Holt 1992), In "Goddess in the Stones", influential journalist and author Norman Lewis undertakes a journey of 2500 miles in search of the old India.
• India: A History, John Keay; a one-volume history that is eminently readable. (ISBN 0802137970)
• India: A Million Mutinies Now, V.S. Naipaul; "With this book he may well have written his own enduring monument, in prose at once stirring and intensely personal, distinguished both by style and critical acumen" (ISBN 0670837024)
• In Spite of the Gods, Edward Luce; an exceptionally insightful and readable book on the unlikely rise of modern India. (ISBN 0316729817)
• No Full Stops In India, Mark Tully; "... a superb series of stories that explore everything from communal conflict in Ahmedabad to communism in Kolkata, from the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad (probably the biggest religious festival in the world) to the televising of a Hindu epic." (ISBN 0140104801)
• Mother Pious Lady, Santosh Desai; An excellent account of middle-class beliefs and customs from the pre-liberalisation era till date to understand the culture of present India. (ISBN 9788172238643)
• Spiritual India handbook: A guide to temples, holy sites festivals and traditions by Stephen Knapp (2013). Useful for the pilgrim who wants to get the most out of a spiritual adventure and experience in India.
• Meeting Shiva: Falling and Rising in Love in the Indian Himalayas by Tiziana Stupia. Changemakers Books. 2013. ISBN 9781780999166. A spiritual memoir chronicling a Western woman’s adventurous travels and personal quest for healing and self-discovery in the Indian Himalayas, with vivid reflections on ashram life and inner transformation.
• Thank You India: A German Woman's Journey to the Wisdom of Yoga. Maria Wirth. 2018. New Delhi, Garuda Prakashan. ISBN 9781942426097. This book recounts the long-term travels of a German woman in India, sharing her transformative experiences in ashrams and encounters with gurus.

• Incredible India tourism website

Hindi and English are two official languages of India, which also serve as lingua francas in the country. However, for longer stays, picking up at least some of the local language is useful, and may be essential outside cities where English proficiency is limited. People would appreciate it if an outsider makes an attempt to communicate in their language.

Most Indian languages belong to the Indo-Aryan and Dravidian language families.

The Indo-Aryan languages are descended from Sanskrit and spoken across the northern half of India:

• Hindi is spoken by nearly a half of India's population, across northern and central India. It is also common in western and eastern India. However, its use at national level can be a point of contention as people believe Hindi undermines India's linguistic diversity. Hindi is less common in southern and north-eastern India, but is generally understood by many.
• Urdu is similar to Hindi, but with stronger Persian and Arabic influences. It is limited to Muslim communities across India, especially in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Hyderabad.
• Within northern India, Punjabi is spoken in Punjab, and Dogri and Kashmiri are spoken across Jammu and Kashmir.
• At least three different languages are spoken in Bihar across its regions: Bhojpuri (Bhojpur), Magahi (Magadha) and Maithili (Mithila).
• Other Indo-Aryan languages include Assamese (Assam), Bengali (West Bengal and Tripura), Gujarati (Gujarat), Konkani (Goa), Marathi (Maharashtra and Goa), Nepali (Sikkim and North Bengal), Odia (Odisha) and Sindhi (Gujarat and Maharashtra).
• Sanskrit is the classical language in which much of ancient Indian literature as well as Hindu scriptures are written. It survives mainly as a liturgical language.

The Dravidian languages are spoken across the southern half of India. Although they are not related to Sanskrit, they have been strongly influenced by it. Key Dravidian languages are Kannada (Karnataka), Malayalam (Kerala and Lakshadweep), Tamil (Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry) and Telugu (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana). Besides, Tulu is widely spoken in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka.

There are also languages unrelated to these families.

• The Munda languages include various Adivasi tongues like Korku (Central India), Mundari (Jharkhand) and Santali (Jharkhand and West Bengal). Khasi is a related tongue spoken in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, including its capital Shillong.
• The Sino-Tibetan languages are spoken across North-Eastern India as well as parts of Eastern India and the Himalayan North. They include Bodo (Assam), Garo (Meghalaya), Kokborok (Tripura), Manipuri (Manipur) and Mizo (Mizoram), as well as the Tibetan dialects like Ladakhi (Ladakh) and Sikkimese (Sikkim).

English is spoken in urban areas, and is the main language in higher education, business and judiciary. The youth are more likely to know English, in part due to international and English-medium schools. English-language TV shows and movies are common, and English TV channels outnumber those in Indian languages. Some shows may be dubbed in another language depending on where you are. Cable TV channels often have an option to select from multiple audio languages.

Hindi is written in the Devanagari script, which is also used by Bodo, Maithili, Marathi, Nepali and Sanskrit.

• Most Indian languages use writing systems that are related to but different from Devanagari and are together called "Indic scripts".
• Many tribal languages like Garo, Khasi, Kokborok, Mundari and Mizo use the Latin alphabet, similar to English.
• Konkani generally uses Devanagari, but Christians use the Latin alphabet and the Konkani speakers in Karnataka and Kerala use the respective language's scripts.
• Ladakhi and Sikkimese use the Tibetan script.
• Urdu, Kashmiri and Sindhi use the Arabic script.

Besides spoken language, non-verbal communication is also important. Much has been made of the confusing Indian head nod for yes and no – Indians have three different nods.

• If they are nodding their head up and down, they mean "yes" or "I agree", as in a standard nod.
• If they are shaking their head in a tilting motion from right to left and back, they mean "I understand" or "I get what you said".
• If they shake their head sideways (left to right to left), they generally mean "no". However, it may be construed for "yes" in states like Tamil Nadu.
• Also look for verbal cues that accompany these nods (like 'aaan' for yes) to get the correct meaning.

The Indian Sign Language (ISL) is the dominant sign language used by the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in India. While there is a standardised version developed and promoted by the government through the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), the language naturally exhibits significant regional variations across different states and territories. These regional dialects, influenced by local spoken languages and cultures, remain largely mutually intelligible among users across the country.

All foreign nationals (including OCI cardholders) travelling to India must complete the mandatory digital e-Arrival Card before arrival. Introduced on 1 October 2025, the e-Arrival Card replaces the paper landing card previously filled out on flights or at immigration counters. The e-Arrival Card must be completed online up to 72 hours before arrival in India. After submission, travellers receive a QR code confirmation, which must be presented at immigration upon arrival.

Special considerations apply for those connected to Pakistan, such as by former or current citizenship, birth or recent travel, see Pakistan below.

No vaccinations are required for entry to India in most cases. However, travellers from yellow fever-affected areas (Africa and South America) must carry a Yellow Fever Vaccination Card at the time of arrival in India, otherwise they may be quarantined for 6 days. Besides, hepatitis (both A and B, depending on your individual circumstances), meningitis and typhoid shots are recommended, as is a booster shot for tetanus.

Due to the Ebola outbreak, all people (Indian nationals/foreign nationals) who have visited or transited through Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and/or South Sudan in the past 21 days, will be required to complete a Self-Declaration Form (SDF). You may be asked by Indian Health Authorities to undergo medical examinations, monitoring, isolation or quarantine. Failure to do so may result in penal provisions. If you develop ebola symptoms you must restrict your outdoor movement and contact the nearest health or public health facility.

Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan may enter and live in India indefinitely without a visa. Citizens of the Maldives may stay up to 90 days without a visa. Citizens of Japan, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates are eligible for visas on arrival and may stay for up to 60 days. Citizens (current or former) of Afghanistan, North Korea and Iran require a minimum of 4 weeks waiting time for their visa.

Holders of an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) document are permitted to stay in India indefinitely and have the same rights as any Indian citizen, enjoying the prices of Indian citizen at tourist attractions. The real certificate must be presented alongside passport at immigration (electronic or physical). However, they must apply for permits to visit certain areas in India, cannot buy agricultural land and cannot vote in any election. The OCI certificate is not under any circumstances a proof of Indian citizenship, and the country that you are a passport holder of is still able to offer consular assistance.

A digital version has now been launched with E-OCI which allows cardholders to store and show their OCI credentials on a mobile device alongside a passport, removing the strict need to carry a physical booklet. Physical OCI booklets stay fully valid and accepted. The rule requiring a new OCI booklet re-issue after renewing a passport post-age 20 is removed, though online passport detail updates remain mandatory.

A special 10-year visa is available to nationals of certain countries, including U.S. citizens (US$100).

Regular visa applications for U.S. citizens (for travellers not eligible for ETA) begin at VFS Global before being submitted to a visa application centre either by FedEx or in person.

It is always good to ask for a multiple-entry visa even if you are not planning to use it—they cost the same, are handed out pretty liberally and come in handy if you decide last minute to dip into one of the neighbouring countries.

Regular visas can be applied for through the Government of India website.

Visa restrictions: If you, or any of your parents or grandparents has ever been a citizen or permanent resident of Pakistan, NIC card of Pakistan or hold a NICOP card (see persons of Pakistani-origin), you are not eligible for the ETA, and must apply for a visa in person at an Indian diplomatic mission.

An e-Visa (aka ETA) is not a visa and does not guarantee entry but is the easiest way to obtain a visa for India. The e-Visa is available to the citizens of Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, ASEAN, Australia, the Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Colombia, the Comoros, Costa Rica, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, the European Union, Fiji, Gabon, the Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Iceland, Israel, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Macau, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, the Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, the Seychelles, Sierra Leone, the Solomon Islands, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, the Vatican City, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

e-Visas can only be applied for and granted online, i.e. completion of all your details, upload of a recent photo (JPG, a good quality selfie is fine) and a passport copy (PDF, max. 300 kB), as well as payment of the non-refundable processing fee (see below) can only be done online via the dedicated Government of India ETA website. There are e-Visas for tourist, business, medical, student, transit, miscellaneous and product investment categories. They can be applied for 4–120 days before arrival, and all categories allow multiple entries.

Entry points into India on an e-Visa are the following only:

• Airports – Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi (IGI), Gaya, Goa (Dabolim and Mopa), Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kannur, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai (Navi and Shivaji), Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Tiruchirappalli, Tirupati, Varanasi, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.
• Seaports – Agatti, Alang, Bhavnagar, Chennai (Chennai, Kamarajar and Kattupalli), Cuddalore, Dahej, Dhamra, Goa, Haldia, Jamnagar (Bedi and Sikka), Kakinada, Kandla (Deendayal and Tuna Tekra), Kochi (Cochin and Vallarpadam), Kolkata, Kollam, Kozhikode, Mandvi, Mangalore, Mumbai (Mumbai and Nhava Sheva), Mundra, Nagapattinam, Nellore, Paradip, Porbandar, Rajula, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Thoothukudi and Visakhapatnam.
• Landports – Agartala, Attari, Darranga, Dawki, Gede, Ghojadanga, Jaigaon, Jogbani, Moreh, Petrapole, Raxaul and Rupadiha.

Exit is possible via any authorised immigration check post. However, after the first entry at one of the allowed entry points, entry is possible at another time at any regular border entry point with that same e-Visa. Entry and exit with a new passport are allowed if you carry along your old passport on which the original ETA was issued. The declared entry and exit points on the ETA application are non-binding.

Processing fees (and eligibility) for e-Tourist Visa as well as all other e-Visa are as follows (as of October 2026):

• e-Tourist Visa
  • 30 days
    • Free for Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Malaysia, Mauritius, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, RUssia, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Thailand, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay and Vanuatu
    • $10 (Apr–Jun) or $25 (Jul–Mar) for rest
  • 1 year
    • Free for Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay and Vanuatu
    • $25 for Japan, Singapore, South Africa and Sri Lanka
    • $40 for rest
  • 5 years
    • Free for Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay and Vanuatu
    • $25 for Japan, South Africa and Sri Lanka
    • $120 for Russia
    • $160 for the United States
    • $220 for Mozambque
    • $484 for the United Kingdom
    • $200 for rest
• e-Business Visa (1 year)
  • Free for Angola, Argentina, Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Djibouti, Eritrea, Fiji, Gambia, Guinea, Haiti, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nauru, Niger, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Zambia
  • $25 for Japan and South Africa
  • $80 for Sri Lanka
  • $130 for New Zealand and Ukraine
  • $140 for the United States
  • $145 for Poland
  • $165 for France
  • $190 for Czechia
  • $200 for Ireland and Thailand
  • $215 for Australia and Saudi Arabia
  • $220 for the Philippines
  • $240 for Ecuador
  • $242 for the United Kingdom
  • $415 for the United Arab Emirates
  • $120 for rest
• e-Medical Visa (1 year)
  • Free for Argentina, Cook Islands, Fiji, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uruguay and Vanuatu
  • $25 for Japan and Sri Lanka
  • $85 for Ukraine
  • $100 for the United States
  • $120 for Russia
  • $129 for the United Kingdom
  • $80 for rest

In addition of the processing fee, there's a fee of 3% if you pay by credit or debit card via SBI ePay or Axis Bank (the latter seems more reliable), or 4% if you pay by PayPal. In case of any payment failure, wait for a few hours to not send the amount twice. After successful payment, the e-Visa application process starts. It can take up to 72 hr until a decision, even though in many cases it just takes 24 hr.

There are also commercial websites that offer the same e-Visas, but this service is usually not worth the money. Save your money and only go through the official website.

The ETA replaced the former limited visa-on-arrival scheme—there are no longer any visa-on-arrival facilities in India.

A business visa may be required if you intend to do anything work related in India. The e-Business Visa does permit "casual business visits" and will be easier to obtain. If you do need a business visa, be prepared to provide a great deal of documentation about your company in your home country as well as the company you are visiting in India. This will include an invitation letter from the company that you are visiting, business registration documents, and possibly tax returns and other sensitive documents. It may be worth applying for a short-term visa (such as 6 months) since the criteria may be less in your case.

If you are on a Student or Employment visa, you need to register within 14 days of arrival with the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (website not accessible outside of India) where you will be staying. If the place you are staying at doesn't have one, you need to register at the local police station. All visitors who intend to stay more than 180 days also need to be registered.

Visa restrictions: All visa services have been suspended for Pakistani nationals since April 2025. New visa applications for most categories are not being accepted. Pakistani nationals are allowed to transit through Indian airports but may not enter the country proper unless they have obtained clearance and have the necessary visa. There are also restrictions for those who are of Pakistani-origin, even though they may not have the nationality of Pakistan.

Pakistani dual citizens are not permitted to enter India on their other passport.

If you have renounced your Pakistani citizenship, you are eligible to apply for an Indian tourist visa, but you must submit the original copy of your certificate of renunciation when applying for your visa, and you will be limited to only a single-entry 3-month visa. Upon arrival in India there is a very strong possibility of you being subject to additional questioning, searches and/or denied entry outright.

If you do not have a Pakistani passport but hold a National Identity Card (NIC) or a National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistani (NICOP), you must submit a notarised statement declaring the facts about you holding the NIC/NICOP and not holding the passport. You are required to provide all your existing passports and you may be asked to give your previous passports at the discretion of the visa official.

Naturalised foreign citizens must provide a certificate declaring their naturalisation and those born outside Pakistan must provide their birth certificate.

To save time you can fill a proforma, which consists of mainly yes and no questions. There is a minimum processing time of 7-9 weeks for your visa if you are of Pakistani-origin.

If you have visited Pakistan in the last 21 days or have a visa or stamp from Pakistan, you may be denied entry, and your visa may be invalidated.

	Customs is confusing!: India’s customs regime is notoriously complex, and could easily result in you facing seizure of goods, fines, deportation or imprisonment. Illegal drugs and importing or exporting significant amounts of money or jewellery may arouse suspicion from customs.

Clearing customs can be a bit of a hassle, though it has improved vastly. There are various rules regarding duty-free allowances – there are differing rules for Indian citizens, foreign tourists, citizens of Nepal and Bhutan, non-citizens of Indian origin and people moving to India. Use the website of the Central Board of Excise and Customs for information about what you can bring in.

Foreign tourists other than the Nepalese and Bhutanese and those entering through Nepal or Bhutan are entitled to bring in their "used personal effects and travel souvenirs" and ₹4,000 worth of articles for "gifts". If you are an Indian citizen or are of Indian origin, you are entitled to ₹25,000 worth of articles, provided you aren't entering through Nepal or Bhutan. The other rules are on the website.

If you are bringing any new packaged items, it is a good idea to carry the invoices for them to show their value. You are also allowed to bring in 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco and 1L (2L for Indians) of alcohol duty-free.

If you do not have anything to declare, you can go through the green channel clearly marked at various airports and generally you will not be harassed. Your bags upon arrival at all international airports in India will be screened when leaving through the green channel and red channel.

It is illegal to import e-cigarettes, vapourisers and their refills. Penalties include imprisonment.

It's illegal to carry or export antiquities without a permit. Contact your nearest Indian embassy or consulate for advice.

Importing and exporting Indian rupees is strictly forbidden for foreigners, and limited to ₹25,000 for Indian citizens. Details can be found in the official statement of the Reserve Bank of India, although it is rarely checked at airports.

Thinking of overstaying?: Overstaying your permitted period in India (even by a single day) is treated very seriously by the authorities and can lead to fines, prosecution, delays, and being denied exit until you obtain an exit permit from the FRRO/immigration authorities. Longer overstays may result in heavier penalties and can severely harm your chances of receiving an Indian visa in the future. Travellers who overstay due to genuine emergencies (such as medical issues or flight cancellations) must promptly inform the nearest FRRO or police station and keep documentation, as failing to do so may still result in sanctions. Full details are here

If you do not have an entry stamp, for example if you have a newly issued passport or an emergency travel document, you must apply for a special exit permit before you travel on the Foreigners Regional Registration Office from within India (website not accessible outside India). It can take between 5 and 15 working days for straightforward applications. Factor this into your timeframe to leave India when you are booking flights.

A Look Out Circular (LOC) may be issued against you if you're charged with an offence, or a complaint is made against you. This will prevent you from leaving India until court proceedings are finalised. Court proceedings are lengthy and delays are common.

When leaving India you will be required to pass through immigration checks.

Across all modes of exit, the key requirement is that your entry stamp and visa details match the records held by immigration.

The major points of entry are Delhi (DEL ^IATA), Mumbai (BOM ^IATA) and Bengaluru (BLR ^IATA). There are also many long-haul international flights to Kolkata (CCU ^IATA), Hyderabad (HYD ^IATA), Chennai (MAA ^IATA) and Ahmedabad (AMD ^IATA).

Secondary points of entry typically from the Middle East or Southeast Asia include Goa (GOI ^IATA and GOX ^IATA), Lucknow (LKO ^IATA), Amritsar (ATQ ^IATA), Kochi (COK ^IATA), Kozhikode (CCJ ^IATA) and Thiruvananthapuram (TRV ^IATA). Most of the major Middle Eastern carriers offer one-stop connections from their Gulf hubs.

There are direct flights from many cities in the U.S. and Canada, but there are no direct flights from Latin America. There are plenty of flights from Europe and the Caucasus. To save on ticket prices, consider connecting via Middle Eastern countries from which there is a plethora of flights. There are good connections from most of Asia, but no direct flights from Pakistan. From Oceania, the only direct flights are from Australia. From Africa, flights are available from the major cities.

Two large carriers in India offer maximum international connectivity: IndiGo and Air India. Smaller airlines like Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet also fly internationally, though options are usually limited to destinations within Asia. These airlines offer daily flights from major hubs around the world. However, most Indian airlines have a very unfriendly policy towards upgrading weight allowance and changing dates of flights, and so if you feel that you may need to change anything regarding your flight, it is best to check the company's policy before making a booking.

The indefinite ban of Indian-operated or Indian-flagged planes into Pakistani airspace may cause ticket prices to increase. Also, depending on the security situation in the Middle East or in Europe (which may cause airspace closures at short notice), your flight may be affected and cause delays or cancellations.

You must carry either a valid air ticket (electronic or printed) or valid boarding pass, as it will be checked on arrival in India. Additionally you must carry an identification card (passport, OCI, or Aadhaar Card) to even enter the terminal. Some Indian airports, like Delhi, offer Wi-Fi access with a passport scan, but the majority offer no Wi-Fi or SIM card options.

The FTI‑TTP^{[dead link]} (Fast Track Immigration – Trusted Traveller Programme) is used to speed up immigration checks for travellers who have been approved by the government. In this case, their passport and biometric details are checked using automated systems, allowing them to clear immigration much faster than usual. It's designed to make international travel smoother for frequent travellers, families, and anyone who wants a more efficient arrival experience. It is available at 13 major international airports across India.

International sea travel to India remains limited in 2026. The only scheduled international passenger service is the Nagapattinam–Kankesanthurai ferry between Tamil Nadu and Jaffna District in northern Sri Lanka, which usually runs several times a week and takes about four hours.

Other than that, India receives seasonal cruise ships on Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea itineraries. Major ports of call include Mumbai, Goa (Mormugao), Chennai, Cochin, New Mangalore, Visakhapatnam, and occasionally Port Blair. The island of Minicoy in Lakshadweep is also a permitted entry point, though facilities are limited.

Travellers arriving by sea must comply with Indian Coast Guard and immigration procedures, which may include identity checks and customs inspections. Processing can take longer than at airports, especially at smaller ports.

Overland travel is extremely limited in India due to tensions with Pakistan and China, and it's no longer possible to travel from Istanbul to New Delhi overland. The only available options are via Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and the Lipulekh pass of China.

You cannot enter from Pakistan or leave India through the Wagah/Attari, Chakothi/Uri, Chakkan da Bagh/Poonch, Kasur/Firozpur, Bahawalnagar/Bathinda and Longewala border crossings, as they are shut down indefinitely since the 2025 Pahalgam attacks in Kashmir. Sikhs cannot enter Kartarpur from the Indian side either.

There are daily buses from Kathmandu in Nepal, usually with connections to Delhi, Lucknow, Patna, Siliguri and Varanasi. However, it's cheaper and more reliable to take one bus to the border crossing and another from there on. The border crossings are (India/Nepal side) Sunauli/Bhairawa for Varanasi, Raxaul/Birganj for Patna, Kolkata, Kakarbhitta for Siliguri and Darjeeling, and Mahendrenagar-Banbassa for Delhi. All border crossings with Nepal and Bhutan are under the jurisdiction of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and you will be required to comply with these officials who will guide you through the border crossing process.

The Bhutanese government runs a service from Phuentsholing. The journey takes around 18 hours. There are frequent services from Kolkata and Siliguri.

From Bangladesh there are a number of land entry points to India. However, many countries advise to check the situation when visiting the India-Bangladesh border due to border skirmishes. All border crossings with Bangladesh are under the jurisdiction of the Border Security Force (BSF), and you will be required to comply with these officials who will guide you through the border crossing process.

The most common way is the regular air-conditioned and comfortable bus services from Dhaka to Kolkata via Petrapole–Benapole border post near Bangaon. Another daily bus service by 'Shyamoli' and others under the BRTC label from Dhaka connects Siliguri, but the buses in this route do not cross the Changrabanda/Burimari or Burungamari border post. There is also a regular bus service between Dhaka and Agartala, capital of Tripura. Other entry points from Bangladesh are Hili, Chilahati/Haldibari, Banglaband border posts for entry to West Bengal; Tamabil border post for a route to Shillong in Meghalaya, and some others with lesser known routes to north-eastern Indian regions.

Entering from Myanmar is possible at Moreh/Tamu, which is the only developed route between the two countries. This is the route of the India-Myanmar Friendship Road and the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway. All border crossings with Myanmar are under the jurisdiction of the Assam Rifles (AR), and you will be required to comply with military officials who will guide you through the border crossing process.

The Lipulekh pass in Uttarakhand bordering Tibet is used primarily as a route by Hindu, Buddhist and Jain pilgrims visiting Mount Kailash as well as the Lake Manasarovar. The pass is near the town of Purang in Tibet. Permits are required to visit through this pass.

The other two entry points: Nathu La in Sikkim and Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh, are open only for local traders. Special permits are required to visit the pass from either side for Nathu La, and foreigners are not permitted to visit the Indian side of the border. Therefore, most people travel via land passes in Nepal.

All border crossings with China are under the jurisdiction of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), and you will be required to comply with these officials who will guide you through the border crossing process.

There are trains between Khajuri in Nepal and Jainagar in Bihar, operated by Nepal Railways. Neither is of much interest for travellers and there are no onward connections into Nepal, so most travellers opt for the bus or plane instead.

Visa restrictions: Certain states in India require permits to visit. Citizens and former citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China (including Hong Kong and Macau) and Myanmar are usually not eligible for them unless they have special permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). See the respective state articles for details. A Protected Area Permit (PAP) is required for foreigners to enter the whole of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland, and the border regions of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Rajasthan, Sikkim and Uttarakhand. A Restricted Area Permit (RAP) is required to enter parts of the Andaman Islands, and parts of Sikkim. Citizens and former citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan are required to get a RAP to visit any part of the Andaman Islands. It is issued on arrival at Veer Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair; if you plan to arrive by sea, you'll need to arrange your permit before arrival, either in Chennai or when applying for your Indian visa. The tribal reserves and the Nicobar Islands are off-limits to all visitors. An Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required for Indian citizens to enter Mizoram, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. Most foreigners can visit without the permit but must register with the local police on arrival. In addition, an ILP is required for all visitors to Nagaland and Sikkim regardless of citizenship, but foreigners can usually get the Sikkim one at the border. For foreigners on a regular visa, the easiest way to get these permits would be to request for one when applying for your Indian visa, and it will be added to your visa. This however is not possible with the easily obtainable e-Visa, and you would need to hunt down a local Ministry of Home Affairs office (aka DC Magistrate Office) and grapple with bureaucracy. Also, local travel agents can obtain these permits for you, but it might be contingent on booking a tour with them. Indian citizens can apply for these permits online.

India is huge and there are lots of interesting ways to travel around it, most of which could not very well be described as efficient or punctual. Allow considerable buffer time for any journey with a fixed deadline (e.g. your flight back) and try to remember that getting there should be half the fun.

If you need to get anywhere, call in advance and ask for detailed directions. Bear in mind that street signs in India tend to be rare or non-existent outside cities. Finding a place will usually involve some searching, but you will always find someone around the area willing to guide you. Postal addresses may carry landmark details like "Opp. Prithvi Theatre" or "Behind Maruti Showroom" to ease the search. Unlike developed countries, Indians ask passers-by, nearby shopkeepers or cops for guidance on street addresses. So, you may do the same, people would be happy to help. Using Google Maps with GPS works well most of the time but at times may not be accurate due to incorrect spelling of road or incorrect positioning on map.

The Inner Line Permit (ILP) is an official travel document issued by the state government concerned to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into a protected area for a limited period. It is obligatory for Indian citizens from outside those states to obtain a permit for entering into the protected state. An ILP is usually significantly easier to obtain than the analogous Protected Area Permit (PAP) which is the document required by non-domicile to enter the same areas. Citizens and former citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan need special approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs to visit.

The document is an effort by the government to regulate movement to certain areas near the international border. See the respective state articles for more details.

• Arunachal Pradesh — issued by the Secretary of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. An ILP is required for entering the state through any of the check gates across the interstate border with Assam or Nagaland. Permits are obtained at Arunachal Bhavan in all major cities. Permits are given to specific districts and therefore plan the itinerary before applying for district entry permits. Checkpoints at every district border only allow locals and permit holders.
• Manipur — issued by the Government of Manipur to allow inward travel of an Indian citizen into the state for a limited period to avoid uncontrollable influx. Most foreign tourists do not require the permit, but must register with the police within 24 hours of arrival; your hotel will usually handle this for you but check to be sure.
• Mizoram — issued by the Government of Mizoram. The permits are required for entering the state through any of the check gates across the interstate border with Assam, Manipur or Tripura. It is issued on arrival at Lengpui Airport in Aizawl. Most foreign tourists do not require the permit, but must register with the police within 24 hours of arrival; your hotel will usually handle this for you but check to be sure.
• Nagaland — issued by the Government of Nagaland to allow inward travel into the state for a limited period. It is required for anyone regardless of citizenship.
• Sikkim — a permit is required for Indian citizens to visit the 'Nathu La' pass which was an important passage of the silk route in medieval era and now a part of the border between India and China. Foreigners are not eligible for the permits. Further permits for high altitude regions like 'Lachung-Lachen' along with a high altitude lake called 'Gurudongmar Lake' can be obtained from Gangtok directly. Foreigners may be allowed. Another point known as 'Zero Point' also requires permits.

India boasts one of the biggest rail networks in the world, and the rail system is very efficient, if rarely on schedule. Travelling by train allows you to discover the landscape and beauty of India, and is generally more economical than flying domestically. With services ranging from luxurious to regular, it's the best way to get to know the country and its people. Most train passengers will be curious about you and happy to pass the time with a chat. While taking an overnight sleeper train will save the money you would otherwise spend on a hotel, your sleep may not be as comfortable, as some routes are known for being overcrowded.

Luxury trains, like the Palace on Wheels and the Maharajas' Express, offer journeys between some major tourist destinations. Journeys on board these trains are all inclusive of accommodation, dining, sightseeing, transportation and porter charges.

Regular trains come in many varieties. The more expensive and luxurious trains, like Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Vande Bharat trains, are as a rule air-conditioned, run at speeds up to 130–160 km/h (81–99 mph), stop only at some major stations, only have reserved seats or beds and in general offer passengers more space. They are almost always on schedule, and get priority over other trains on their respective routes. They also have breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner included in your ticket price.

In contrast, the cheaper services are slower, often have no air-conditioning and include non-reserved compartments. There are also superfast trains, which merely means that their average speeds are at least 55 km/h (34 mph), and therefore the "superfast surcharge" is added to the ticket price.

Local trains are available in major cities except Bengaluru, operated by the Indian Railways to surrounding towns and suburbs. They are often overcrowded, as often the platforms on the stations. If travelling on a local train, be wary of your surroundings as there may be pickpockets in stations and trains. For women travellers there are women-only carriages, generally at both ends of the train.

There are both AC and non-AC classes of seats on most trains. In general, sleeping coaches are reserved for overnight trains, and sitting ones are for daytime/intercity services.

At most stations, hawkers selling tea, peanuts, and snack food and complete meals will go up and down the train. You can also get down on the station platform to look for food, but make sure you know the stoppage timing of the train at that station.

Most overnight trains have a pantry car and you can buy meals on board the train. The pantry staff will visit your seat to take your order. However, most pantry car meals aren't really good in quality or taste. In the most luxurious trains, meals are included in your ticket price and served at your seat during travel. You can purchase drinks, packaged snacks or biscuits from the pantry staff who circulate from one coach to another. There are no dining cars except in select luxury trains and in Deccan Queen, a daily train between Mumbai and Pune.

Rail travel in India is generally safe, however accidents happen and have previously resulted in death and serious injury. There are RPF (Railway Protection Force) police on trains and GRP (Government Railway Police) on stations if you need help. In the unlikely event of you being involved in a train accident, the helpline number is ☏ 1011.

Trains tend to fill up early, and tickets can be reserved up to 4 months in advance. The summer vacation period (mid-April to mid-June) is peak season for the railways, which means that you may need to book well in advance. Other holidays or long weekends may see a similar rush.

Tickets can be booked online and from counters at most railway stations. Other authorised ticketing agencies provide a much better user experience. However, you will need an IRCTC account if you want to book online. The e-wallet facility enables users to keep money on the website for faster booking of tickets. This facility reduces the time of ticket booking because users skip the payment gateway processing time. You can pay using your debit cards, credit cards or internet banking.

The Tatkal quota accounts for about 10% of the total seats. They become available a day before the departure date of a train at 10AM, allowing tourists who like to plan a trip as they go to book seats closer to the day of departure, for an extra fee. It is sometimes difficult to book Tatkal tickets online due to the excess amount of traffic on the website.

There's also the foreign tourist quota for visitors travelling to India on a tourist visa. The price is the same, but if the train is full, there's a chance that there will still be foreign tourist tickets available, and vice versa. Payment must be in foreign currency, usually US dollars ($) or British pounds (£), or in Indian rupees (₹) backed with adequate proof of foreign exchange conversion (an ATM receipt is usually acceptable). A passport may also be required.

While you cannot take a bus journey across India, buses are the second most-popular way of travelling across states and the only cheap way of reaching many places not on the broad-gauge rail network, such as Dharamsala, Imphal, Leh or Gangtok.

For short distances, just wait at the road that obviously goes into your direction. Unless you are in the middle of nowhere, there are many buses plying along Indian roads. If in doubt, just ask someone local.

Every state has its own public bus service, which primarily connects intrastate routes, but will also have services to neighbouring states. Many public transport companies have their own website to find the schedule and prices, but also to book tickets. If searching for connections, the website will sometimes not accept smaller villages along the way and you may have to select or search for the next larger town or city.

Private buses may or may not be available in the area you are travelling to, and even if they are, the quality could vary a lot. Be warned that many of the private buses, especially long-distance lines, play music or videos at ear-splitting volume. Even with earplugs it can be nerve-wracking. Restrooms are available in large bus stations but are crowded. The bus industry is extremely fragmented and there are few operators who offer services in more than 2 or 3 neighbouring states. Travel agents usually only offer seats on private buses.

Prices between public and private buses do not differ much. However, public buses will give you a proper ticket indicating the origin and destination of your journey. Whereas the private ones will only give you a paper ticket with a price written on it by the conductor. For buses serving smaller villages there might not even be any ticket at all for private buses — if the other Indian passengers also don't get a ticket, then that's just the way. In general, you can expect to pay as little as ₹1/km in the plains (Punjab) and ₹2–2.30/km in more mountainous areas (Himachal Pradesh) with public and private buses. After a short while you will figure out what is the going local rate. Anything way beyond that rate, especially in private buses, is an indication that the conductor is trying to rip you off. Stand your ground and don't give in, potentially demand your money back and leave the bus.

There are usually multiple classes of buses. The "ordinary" or "service" buses are extremely crowded, with even standing room rarely available (unless you're among the first on board) as reservations are not possible and they tend to stop at too many places. On the upside, they're very cheap. The "luxury" or "express" buses are air-conditioning with assured seating (book in advance), and have limited stops, making them well worth the slight extra expense. But even these better-class buses rarely have toilets and make occasional snack and toilet breaks.

Regardless of the class of travel, all buses have to contend with the poor state of Indian highways and the havoc of Indian traffic which usually makes them slower, less comfortable and less safe than trains. Night buses are particularly hazardous, and for long-distance travel it is wise to opt for sleeper train services instead.

For major private (Volvo) bus connections, schedules, prices and tickets, try one of the following websites:

• redBus
• zingbus
• Paytm
• MakeMyTrip^{[dead link]}

India's large size and uncertain roads make flying a viable option, especially as prices have tumbled in the last few years. India's domestic market is the third largest in the world after the U.S and China. Even India's offshore islands and remote mountain states are served by flights. Due to the aviation boom over the last few years, airports have not been able to keep up with the air traffic. Most Indian airports continue to function with one runway and a handful of boarding gates. Check-in and security queues can be quite long, especially at older airports in Delhi and Mumbai. The ones in Bengaluru and Hyderabad are modern and well-equipped.

In Delhi NCR, heavy winter fog can wreak havoc on schedules, especially during Christmas Season and January, leading to massive delays across the country. Flights to small airports up in the mountains, especially to Leh in Ladakh (which is reachable only by plane for most of the year), are erratic at the best of times.

In the unlikely event of an air accident, a helpline has been established, ☏ 1011. This was established following the deadly Air India 171 crash.

At one time, domestic flights were the monopoly of the government-owned Indian Airlines (later Air India), but things have changed dramatically and now there are quite a few competitors, often offering excellent value. Except Air India, all other airlines are low-cost.

The mainline airlines include:

• IndiGo (IATA: 6E): India's largest airline with a monopoly in the domestic market, connecting 88 cities throughout the country. They fly a young fleet of Airbus A320s and ATR regional aircraft.
• Air India (IATA: AI): The flag carrier. Historically it has a poor reputation, but is now being rebooted by Tata Group. It has a wide network in the country and provides excellent regional connectivity. It is a member of the Star Alliance.
• Air India Express (IATA: IX): Low-cost subsidiary of Air India, which flies mainly on trunk routes.
• SpiceJet (IATA: SG): Serves around 34 domestic destinations with a fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft.
• Akasa Air (IATA: QP): Serves 20 domestic destinations with a fleet of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. It is the most on-time airline in the Indian aviation industry.

The regional operators include:

• Alliance Air (IATA: 9I): India’s state-owned airline, which flies small aircraft to obscure places.
• Fly91 (IATA: IC): A regional airline based in Goa, serving 8 destinations with a fleet of ATR-72 aircraft, connecting towns and cities.
• IndiaOne Air (IATA: I7): A regional airline based in Bhubaneswar that aims to connect smaller cities with metropolitan cities. It is the first scheduled airline in India to operate a single-engined aircraft.
• Star Air (IATA: S5): A regional commuter airline based in Bengaluru, serving mostly southern and western destinations with a fleet of smaller Embraer jets, however it is rapidly expanding to the north.

Prices are relatively low and stable, since destinations are often served by several airlines. It doesn't hurt though to check prices a few times on different days during the week.

You will hear a lot about air tickets at ₹500, but those are promotional rates for limited seats which are sold out within seconds. In some other cases, the advertised fare may not include charges such as passenger service fees, air fuel surcharge and taxes, which will be added subsequently. Nonetheless, you do get good rates from budget airlines. Tickets for small cities will cost more than those for big ones, because of the spotty coverage noted above. Indian ticket pricing has not attained the bewildering complexity that the Americans and European have achieved, but they are moving there. You don't have to worry about higher prices on weekends, lower prices for round-trips, or lower prices for travel around weekends.

Checking in at Indian airports tends to be slow, involving lots of queues and multiple security checks. A few pointers to smooth your way:

• Arrive at least two to three hours before departure if travelling from the major airports. For domestic flights from minor airports, 60 or 90 minutes before is fine. Check-in closes 45 minutes before departure time and the boarding gate closes 25 minutes before departure. Though the original boarding might take longer, this rule is now being strictly implemented widely to avoid delays in flight departures.
• Some airports have DigiYatra available (available only for domestic flights from select destinations), which verifies passenger identities at various checkpoints, such as check-in, security, and boarding gates, without the need for physical documents. Specific queues when entering the airport, check-ins and security have been set up in 24 airports for passengers who have registered through the DigiYatra app. To register for DigiYatra you need an Aadhaar card.
• Otherwise, bring a print-out or soft copy of your ticket and a government-issued ID, else you are not allowed to enter the airport. They are checked and matched compulsorily at the entry gate by security guards. If you possess neither a printout nor a soft copy, you can get a copy at the airline offices just outside the entry gate. Some airlines have started to charge for this privilege.
• Most older airports and many airports outside metro cities require that you screen your checked bags before check-in, usually at a stand near the entrance. In high-security airports like Jammu, Srinagar or anywhere in the Northeast, even carry-on baggage needs to be screened. All carry-on baggage will be screened by an X-ray scanner and at the discretion of the security personnel, physically too.
• Once inside the check-in hall, you cannot leave the airport again unless your flight is delayed or cancelled. Make sure to have completed all your "business" before entering the airport. Also, in case you arrive many hours before the flight to be on the safe side, be sure to know how to keep yourself busy once inside the airport.
• Pick up a tag for every item of your carry-on baggage and attach it to it. The staff at the security checkpoint will stamp your boarding pass as well as the tags of your carry-on baggage. Do not put your boarding pass on the X-ray belt, bring it with you when you go through the metal detector. Make sure you received all these stamps before leaving the security check area. Without a stamped boarding pass, you will not be allowed to board the plane. You will not be allowed to take any items onboard without a stamped tag attached.

Don't hesitate to ask someone if you are unsure about anything. Most staff in airports are very helpful to passengers. They usually understand English and will take pains to ensure you catch your flight. There are separate queues for passengers travelling light (without check-in baggage) and these queues are usually less crowded. Different airlines have different standards for what they allow as cabin baggage, so check with your airline’s website on the side of caution. Usually, the allowed free baggage limit is 15 kg (33 lb) on most airlines.

	Drinking and driving?: Driving under the influence of alcohol is considered a serious offence in India. In the event of an accident the law deals with drink-drive offenders with severity. The punishment is a fine or imprisonment for up to 6 months. The driving licence is suspended for at least six months.

Unlike parts of Asia, India drives on the left — at least most of the time. You can drive in India if you have a local licence or an International Driving Permit, but unless you are accustomed to driving in extremely chaotic streets in cities, you probably will not want to.

However, a car may get you pretty much anywhere in India, and driving is a good option for more remote destinations outside the rail network. However, the traffic culture remains dangerous, with not too much respect of rules. Besides, fuel can be expensive.

Road distances are in kilometres (8 km is about 5 miles), and speed limits are in kilometres per hour (100 km/h is about 62 mph).

Most expressways (controlled-access highways) have tolls, which are levied based on vehicle category, type of expressway and distance travelled.

Road signs tend to follow European practices closely, usually identical to United Kingdom or the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals. However, yellow rectangular signs that do carry messages like "Be gentle on my curves" and "Danger creeps when safety sleeps" are present nationwide. A circle with a red diagonal slash shows prohibited activities and circles without slashes show rules, blue circles indicate compulsory instructions and triangles with red borders indicate cautions and dangers. Blue rectangular signs are used in metropolitan cities or urban areas, or on expressways. Green rectangular signs are used everywhere else.

The quality of roads depends; if you are on an expressway, or travelling on a recently built road, you are assured of western quality roads, whilst if you are on any other road, it may be filled with potholes. Most road signs are not very reliable in the country, and in most cases provide drivers with confusing or inaccurate information. If you are in doubt, ask the locals, normally they are very helpful and willingly provide people with appropriate guidance to a location. Of course, the quality of information and willingness to provide it varies, especially in the larger cities.

It's quite easy and common to rent a car with a driver in India. If you travel in summer, it is recommended to take a car with air-conditioning.

It is rare to find a driver that speaks more than a few words of English. Make sure you can trust your driver before you leave your goods with him. If he shows any suspicious behaviour, make sure you keep your bags with you. It is generally a good idea to have all your valuables with you.

Be wary of reckless driving when renting a car with a driver. Do not be afraid to tell the driver that you have time to see around and that you are not in a hurry. Make sure also that your driver gets enough rest time and time to eat. In general, as you visit restaurants, the driver may eat at the same time (either separately at the same restaurant or at some other nearby place).

Metro services are available in most major cities, relatively safe and well policed, with CCTV cameras on trains and stations, and well-trained staff. They are of quality comparable to Western countries. However, there is a possibility of overcrowding especially at peak rush hour. To enter you may need to complete a quick security check.

Some cities have unique rail-based transit systems alongside metro systems, like the trams in Kolkata or the monorails in Mumbai.

Regular metered taxis are common and can usually be hailed on the street. While they're supposed to use the meter, tales of "broken" meters and hapless fleeced tourists are common, so try to have an idea of the fare before you set off.

Transit hubs like airports or stations have pre-paid taxi services managed by local traffic police officials. However, beware of touts who claim to be running pre-paid taxis. Always collect the receipt from the counter first. The receipt has two parts: one part is for your reference, and the other part you will hand to the taxi driver only after you reach your desired destination. The taxi driver will receive their payment from the pre-paid taxi counter by this other part.

The taxi driver may not know how to get to your destination and will not tell you this beforehand. This may result in the taxi stopping at various points during the journey as the driver gets out to ask for directions. Insist on being taken to your original destination, and not a substitute offered by the driver (e.g. a different hotel).

The three largest players in ride-hailing services are Rapido, Ola and Uber, which operate in all major Indian cities and have ranks at major airports. There are also sometimes local companies offering ride-hailing services within their cities. Both pickup and dropoff points can be entered in English, minimising hassle.

Ola and Uber offer four-wheeler rides, whereas Rapido offer two-wheeler and auto-rickshaw services.

Fares are affordable by Western standards, with most city rides under ₹200, although surge pricing can be expensive. However, the very cheapest categories (UberX and Ola Micro/Mini, respectively) often have tiny, run-down cars, so paying the small premium for the next class up (Uber Comfort and Ola Prime) may be worth it

Ride-hailing laws vary widely. Goa is the only Indian state to ban ride-hailing completely due to prolonged resistance and strikes by local taxi operators. Chandigarh has suspended the licences of Ola, Uber and Rapido due to non-compliance for six months since mid-2026. In addition, Delhi and Maharashtra don't allow motorcycle taxis using white number plates, which indicate private vehicles.

Auto-rickshaws or autos are the most common means of hired transport in India. They are very handy for short-distance travel in cities, especially since they can weave their way through small alleys to bypass larger cars stuck in travel jams, but are not very suitable for long distances. Most are green and yellow, due to the new CNG gas laws, and some may be yellow and black in colour, with one wheel in the front and two in the back, with a leather or soft plastic top.

E-rickshaws are also increasingly common, being eco-friendly and very cheap. They serve the same purpose as autos, but travel at a lower speed. The e-rickshaw can fit as many as 6 people in one vehicle, with some safety features.

When getting an auto, you can either negotiate the fare or go by the meter. In almost all cases it is better to use the meter – a negotiated fare means that you are being charged a higher than normal rate. A metered fare starts around ₹13 (different for different areas), and includes the first 1–2 km of travel. Autos carry either digital or analogue meters wherein the analogue meters may have been tampered with. It may be a better option to go for a negotiated fare when the auto has an analogue meter.

Never get in an auto without either the meter being turned on, or the fare negotiated in advance. In nearly all cases the driver will ask an exorbitant sum (for Indian standards) from you later. A normal fare would be ₹11–12 for the first km and ₹7–8 per km after that. In most cities, auto drivers are provided with a rate card that elaborately describes the fares on per kilometre basis. A careful tourist must verify the meter reading against the rate card before making a payment.

Ideally, you should talk with a local to find out what the fare for any estimated route will be. Higher rates may apply at night, and for special destinations such as airports. Finally, factor in that auto drivers may have to pay bribes to join the queue for customers at premium locations such as expensive hotels. The bribe will be factored in the fare.

Make sure that the driver knows where they are going. Many auto drivers will claim to know the destination without really having any clue as to where it is. If you know something about the location, quiz them on it to screen out the liars. If you do not know much about the location, make them tell you in no uncertain terms that they know where it is. This is because after they get lost and drive all over the place, they will often demand extra payment for their own mistake. You can then tell them that they lied to you, and wasted your time, so they should be happy to get the agreed-upon fee.

Autos and e-rickshaws are banned on national highways, expressways, and in some inner-city streets; which can cause delays.

Cycle rickshaws are the non-motorised counterpart of auto-rickshaws where two people sit on an elevated seat at the back and a person pedal from the front. They are less common and can often be quite expensive, however is supported by environmentalists as being more eco-friendly than autos.

There are ferries that link the mainland to offshore islands, for example the Andaman Islands from Chennai, Lakshadweep from Kochi, Elephanta from South Mumbai, and the Sagar Island from Kakdwip.

Also, the Kerala backwaters make travel by ferry an effective service, and in some places, ferries are more popular and easier than road or rail transport. In particular, Kochi has an integrated "water metro" system that complements its existing rapid transit network. Alappuzha also has a similar "water taxi" service.

Apart from these services, there are luxury river cruises on the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers.

Some people argue that the best way to experience India is on a motorbike; riding a motorbike to travel across India will get you a closer look and feel of the country along with all the smells and sounds. However, this story seems to be mostly popular among the new emerging Indian middle class who ply destinations like Ladakh with their bikes.

Motorcycling is a better option for navigating cities with chaotic traffic. However, it is important to prioritise your safety, as two-wheelers make up a vast majority of road accidents in India.

Many companies organise package tours or tailor-made tours for enthusiastic bikers and the adventurous, or a safer motorbike experience of India. They will take care of luggage and maintenance of the bike. Another choice, popular with people who like taking risks, is to buy a motorcycle.

The Royal Enfield is a popular, or as some would say, the only choice for its classic looks and macho mystique. This is despite its high petrol consumption (25–30 km/l or 59–71 mpg_‑US), supposed low reliability and relative difficulty to handle (it is quite heavy and the seat can be high for some). It is "classic" 1940s engineering after all and requires regular service adjustments; you can find an Enfield mechanic with decades of experience in every town, who will perform miracles at about ₹100 an hour labour cost. You don't want to be riding roads at 4,000–5,000 m (13,000–16,000 ft) in Ladakh and suddenly the bike breaking down — here it will be quite difficult to find a mechanic.

Alternatively, one can opt for a smaller yet quicker, more fuel efficient and more versatile bikes from brands like Hero, Honda and Bajaj. They can range from 100 cc to the newly launched 220 cc bikes. The smaller variants (100–125 cc) can give you a mileage exceeding 50 km/l (120 mpg_‑US) on the road, while giving less power if one is opting to drive with pillion on the highways. The bigger variants (150–220 cc) are more powerful and one can get a feel of the power especially on highways — the mileage is lesser for these bikes anywhere between 35–45 km/l (82–106 mpg_‑US).

Preferably tourists should go for second-hand bikes rather than purchasing new ones. The smaller 100 cc variants can be purchased for anywhere between ₹15,000–25,000 depending on the year of make and condition of vehicle. The bigger ones can be bought from ₹30,000 onwards.

Two-wheelers are banned on some roads — namely national highways (not really enforced), and national expressways (enforced). They will have to use the service roads on the side of these roads.

A scooter in India is similar to a motorcycle but with an underbone or step-through frame, a seat and a platform for the rider's feet. Scooters are easier to operate and in general have better fuel economy than motorcycles. Popular scooter brands include TVS, Honda and Hero.

There are also eco-friendly e-scooters from brands like Bajaj, Ola and Okinawa.

Bicycles (or "cycles") are commonly used for daily errands and for transporting goods in India. However, cycling in Indian cities isn't for the fainthearted, and the tumultuous traffic makes it difficult with aggressive drivers, jaywalking pedestrians, potholes and debris.

Some cities have dedicated cycle lanes, such as Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai. You can also carry them in luggage or vendor compartments of trains. However, the Mumbai Metro does not allow carrying folding bicycles.

Bicycles are banned on some roads — namely national highways (not really enforced), and national expressways (enforced). They will have to use the service roads on the side of these roads.

Hitchhiking is very easy, especially in remote areas, due to the enormous number of cargo trucks and local traffic on every highway and road. Although most drivers do not speak English, most have a very keen sense of where the cities and villages are along the road. It is rare for any of them to expect payment.

When hitchhiking, it is important to understand the system of vehicle number plates in India. There are yellow (commercial), green (electric) and white (private) ones. White ones are generally always safe for hitchhiking for free, because these are local people in their own car. For yellow number plates, vehicles labelled "goods carrier" are safe to hail, including trucks. Although truck drivers shouldn't demand any money, if they do so, just tell them that they are no taxis but cargo vehicles.

While hitchhiking is safe in cities and highways, but refrain from it on deserted places, less populated areas and forest roads. However, this rule really also depends on the region. Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh can generally be considered to be safe for hitchhiking, but it's probably not a good idea in poor states like Bihar. Also, it is better to stick to daytime travel.

From Kashmir to Kanyakumari, there are more tourist destinations in India than can be mentioned in a full-length book, let alone a summary. To see all the places worth visiting in India, even a 6-month visit is arguably inadequate. Almost every Indian state has over ten major destinations, with cities that can barely be tasted in a full week. And the country is home to 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

That said, below are some highlights.

Probably the single most famous attraction in India is the Taj Mahal in Agra, widely recognised as the jewel of Islamic art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of world heritage. Delhi, the capital of several empires over a millennium, is home to an enormous range of attractions, from the pre-Mughal Qutb Minar to the Mughal-era Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb, and the British-era New Delhi.

To the west Rajasthan is incredibly rich in forts and palaces, and its capital Jaipur is home to the tremendous Amber Fort, beautiful Jal Mahal (Water Palace) and unique Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace). In addition, the state of Maharashtra is replete with hilltop forts of the Maratha Empire, many of which are part of the Maratha Military Landscapes of India, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are numerous Maurya-era pillars of Ashoka dispersed throughout the Plains of India, with the one in Sarnath being the basis of India's national emblem.

Although much of the Indus Valley sites lie in present-day Pakistan, a few such sites are in India as well, such as the port towns of Dholavira and Lothal in Gujarat, which had trade connections as far as Mesopotamia.

Bhimbetka in Madhya Pradesh contains prehistoric cave paintings from hunter-gatherer societies.

No visit to India would be complete without a trip to some of the country's fantastic temples, with all regions being replete with temples. The Konark Sun Templein Odisha is a unique example of Kalingan architecture, representing the chariot of the sun god. Bishnupur in West Bengal is home to famous terracotta temples. Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh is much beloved for its thousand-year-old sacred wall carvings, considered by some art historians to be the pinnacle of erotic art.

Southern India is home to various temples built in the Dravidian style with tall entrance towers (gopuram). The Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai is a centre of worship of Parvati, the consort of Shiva. The Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati is dedicated to Vishnu and is also a major draw for pilgrims. Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli and Kumbakonam are known for their grand Chola-era temples. Other famous temple towns include Hampi and Mamallapuram.

Besides, there are numerous Buddhist sites in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the region where Buddhism flourished, such as Bodh Gaya, Nalanda and Sarnath. Other than that, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are home to splendid Buddhist monasteries and stupas.

The duo of Ajanta and Ellora in Maharashtra contain spectacular rock-cut cave monasteries and temples, and you can find other such cave temples across the state.

Hinduism and Buddhism are not the only religions represented among the great temples in India. The Golden Temple in Amritsar is considered the headquarters of Sikhism. Ranakpur is Rajasthan is home to an impressive and historic Jain temple. The Lotus Temple in Delhi is an important place of worship for the Baha'i Faith, with splendid architecture drawing millions of visitors per year. There are even fire temples (agiaries) used by the Zoroastrian community in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Islam is India's second-largest religion, with Islamic dynasties dominating the country for centuries. So it's not surprising that India has so many magnificent mosques. One impressive mosque that's very much in use to this day is the lovely 17th-century Jama Masjid in Old Delhi. In the South, Hyderabad is home to the Charminar and the Mecca Masjid.

Besides temples and mosques, there are churches and synagogues built during the colonial era. The Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa, St. Paul's Cathedral in Kolkata and the St. Thomas Cathedral in Mumbai are some of the most famous churches in India.

India is replete with museums of different kinds. The most notable ones are the National Museum in New Delhi, the Victoria Memorial and Indian Museum in Kolkata, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) in Mumbai.

Besides, there are various Gandhi museums across the nation, including the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad (founded by the Mahatma himself), the Gandhi Smriti and National Gandhi Museum in Delhi, and the Mani Bhavan in Mumbai.

Due to India's rich arts history, there are various art exhibitions in cities like Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.

For a rather unusual kind of museum, check out the Science City in Kolkata or the Sudha Car Museum in Hyderabad.

India is a very geographically varied country. Besides the Himalayas and the Western Ghats, there are hills in central, eastern, north-eastern and southern parts of India. The hill stations — towns in the cooler areas in foothills or high valleys surrounded by mountains, which were favoured by rajas and the British in the hot summer months — are considered sights and experiences in themselves, the largest of which is Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. Other famous hill stations include Darjeeling, Dharamsala, Gangtok, Ooty and Shimla, and there are many others – most states have some.

India is also a country of many rivers, some of which are considered sacred. The Ganges (Ganga) brings life to the Indian plains, and it's not just an impressive body of water but a centre of ritual ablutions, prayers and cremations. There are several holy cities along the river with many temples, but they are often less places of pilgrimage to specific temples than holy cities whose temples have grown because of the ghats (steps leading down to the holy river) and most interesting to visit for the overall experience of observing or partaking in the way of life and death along the river. Foremost among these holy cities is Varanasi (one of the oldest in the world) where some 5,000-year-old rituals are still practised; other cities worth visiting to experience the Ganges include Rishikesh and Haridwar, much further upstream.

India also has a long coastline. The beaches of Goa, also an interesting former Portuguese colony, the Andaman Islands as well as Lakshadweep are among the most appreciated by domestic and foreign visitors.

Finally, India has a vast desert, the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, with cities like Jaisalmer being good bases for camel safaris.

India is famous for its wildlife, with Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions, Asian elephants and one-horned rhinos being popular wild animals.

The most likely places for you to spot a Bengal tiger in the wild are national parks like Bandhavgarh, Ranthambhore and Tadoba, though you would still have to have some luck and persistence. The Sundarbans National Park is home to the famous royal Bengal tigers and estuarine crocodiles and is a part of the largest mangrove forest and delta in the world, shared with Bangladesh. The Pench National Park, another tiger reserve, is one of the places that may have inspired Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book.

The Gir Forest National Park in Gujarat is the only national park where you can spot an Asiatic lion in the wild. The only other places to spot such animals are the zoological parks.

The Kaziranga National Park in North-Eastern India is home to the world's largest population of one-horned rhinos. You can also spot rhinos at Gorumara, Jaldapara and Manas. The Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur is the world's only floating national park, floating on the mirror like Loktak Lake, where the world's only dancing deer species, brow-antlered deer (sangai) is found.

India being a diverse nation with huge culture and geographical changes, there are many activities to do.

India's cultural heritage is expressed through its myriads of languages in which much great literature and poetry has been written. It can be seen in its music, both in its classical and modern forms. Visitors will encounter music in religious ceremonies, festivals, weddings, street performances, movies, concert halls, and cafés across the country.

India has two major systems of classical music, namely Hindustani and Carnatic. Hindustani is prevalent in northern India, and features instruments such as the sitar, sarod, tabla, and bansuri flute. Major centres include Delhi, Varanasi, Kolkata, Lucknow, and Gwalior. Carnatic is dominant in Southern India and it emphasizes vocal performance and instruments such as the veena, mridangam, and violin and Chennai is widely regarded as the heart. Within each system there are examples of folk music like Bhangra in Punjab and Lavani in Maharashtra.

India also has a vast tradition of classical and folk dances. Art and theatre flourish amongst the bustling cities of the country, against the backdrop of the ever-expanding western influences.

India officially recognises eight major classical dance traditions, namely Bharatanatyam (Tamil Nadu), Kathak (Northern India), Kathakali and Mohiniyattam (Kerala), Kuchipudi (Andhra Pradesh), Odissi (Odisha), Manipuri (Manipur) and Sattriya (Assam). India's regions also have vibrant folk dance traditions like Giddha in Punjab, Garba in Gujarat, Ghoomar in Rajasthan and Bihu in Assam.

Many state tourism departments organise cultural evenings featuring local music and dance, particularly during festivals and tourist seasons. Visitors are often welcome to join social and folk dances during weddings, festivals, and community celebrations. Dance workshops for beginners can be found in many cities, especially for Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Bollywood dance, and folk styles.

Watch Indian films as the Indian media industry is booming, with Bollywood (based in Mumbai, for Hindi film networks) churning out popular films and series featuring actors such as Shah Rukh Khan (SRK), Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Akshay Kumar and others. Other languages churning out films and series are Tollywood (Telugu), famous for RRR and Baahubali; Kollywood (Tamil) famous for films featuring Rajinikanth; Mollywood (Malayalam); Pollywood (Punjabi); and Sandalwood (Kannada).

In India, the word 'club' most often refers to an group of people joined together for things like sports or recreation, even in urban areas, instead of a nightclub or discothèque.

The old-style gentlemen's clubs are a leftover from the colonial era where soldiers or civil servants once used to go to rest after long hours of work. They provide facilities such as golf, swimming pools and cricket, as well as bakeries, dining facilities and accommodations. These clubs often require membership (with very high fees) or a member accompanying you. Women may enter with a man to accompany them, however this is less common nowadays as many clubs now allow women to purchase memberships.

There are also gymkhana clubs where skill-based contests were held.

India has a long tradition of sports since ancient times, and the subcontinent is the birthplace of major sports like badminton, chess, kabaddi, polo and snooker. Besides, the country imported many sports from the United Kingdom during the British rule.

Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India, and cricket is in the blood of most Indians. Although originated in England, India plays an important role in world cricket and has been world champion twice in the ICC Cricket World Cup. Seeing children playing cricket in parks and alleys with rubber balls and makeshift wickets is very common. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has brought fast-paced, commercialised "Twenty20" cricket to the fore. The atmosphere of most matches is electrifying. Nearly all international matches have sellout crowds, and it is quite normal for fans to bribe officials and make their way in. So, book early. Grab a water bottle as well and prepare for the brilliant atmosphere in any stadium. Starting ticket prices are quite cheap; they can be as low as ₹250–300. India and Pakistan are all-time archrivals, and cricket matches between the two nations attract up to a billion TV viewers.

Football (soccer) has a strong following in West Bengal, and also popular in North-Eastern India, Southern India, Goa and Jammu and Kashmir. You can come across children playing with a football on any open space that is available, as with cricket. While the Indian national team has never qualified for the FIFA World Cup since 1950, the team has appeared in other international events. Besides, club football is very popular, especially among youth. The oldest and most intense rivalry is the Kolkata Derby between the clubs Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in Kolkata, often called the "mecca of Indian football". Besides, many large restaurants and bars offer a view of important European club matches and FIFA World Cup matches.

Kabaddi (Hindi: कबड्डी kabaḍḍī), unique to the subcontinent, is a contact team sport that involves attempting to tag out your opponents' player before returning to your own half. It is the most popular indigenous sport, and the Pro Kabaddi League has garnered substantial viewership.

Hockey (field hockey) is often called the national game of India, especially with athletes like Major Dhyan Chand. Hockey retains a prominent position in the hearts of many Indians, especially the older generation. It still has a significant fan base, especially in northern and eastern India. The introduction of the Hockey India League (HIL) has helped restore its popularity.

Badminton originated in British India, as army officers stationed in the garrison town of Poona (present-day Pune) added a net and rules to a traditional local game. It was then introduced to Britain and is now popular worldwide. Many clubs have badminton courts, and the game continues to be very popular in India. You can also come across children playing badminton for recreation.

Wrestling is one of the oldest sports in India and is popular in the states of Punjab and Haryana. It takes place in a circular court with soft ground, called akhāṛā or dangal. Two wrestlers continue to wrestle until the back of one touch the ground. India nationally participates in the Summer Olympics and World Championships (WWC).

Chess originated in classical India in the 6th century, where it was originally called chaturanga. It was adopted by the Persians by the 7th century and later spread to Europe and beyond. However, it was Viswanathan Anand who re-popularised chess in modern India, and his dominance from the late 1990s to the early 2010s inspired a generation of players. The country since excels in international tournaments, and it has the second-best federation in the world.

Polo originated in ancient Kangleipak (present-day Manipur) around 3100 BCE, when it was played as Sagol Kangjei. It was adopted by the Europeans during the 19th century and spread around the globe. The polo ground in Imphal is the world's oldest.

Kho kho (खोखो khokho), unique to the subcontinent, is a fast-paced tag sport where one team chases the other around a rectangular court using quick turns, strategic passes, and bursts of speed.

Golf is played among the upper class, and there are numerous golf courses around India as well as a Professional Golf Tour.

Besides, India has its own motor sport league called Indian Racing League, and it hosts MotoGP at Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida. Goa is India's best-known water sport destination, particularly for parasailing, jet skiing, and kayaking. The beaches of Gokarna, Pondicherry, and Kovalam also offer a growing range of activities, while Rameswaram and the Andaman Islands are popular for kayaking and paddle sports in calmer waters. Adventure seekers can enjoy whitewater rafting and kayaking on Himalayan rivers such as the Ganges, Beas, and Teesta, which provide some of the country's most exciting whitewater conditions.

Some of the major Indian festivals are:

• Diwali (Oct–Nov) — The festival of lights, celebrates the return of the Hindu god Rama to the capital of his kingdom, Ayodhya after an exile of 14 years following the killing of the demon Ravana, symbolising the age-old culture that teaches to vanquish ignorance that subdues humanity and to drive away darkness that engulfs the light of knowledge. Probably the most lavish festival in the country, reminiscent of Christmas in the West or Eid al-Fitr in the Islamic world. Houses are decorated, there are lamps lit everywhere, there is plenty of gift-giving and if you wander the streets on Diwali night, there might be firecrackers going off everywhere including sometimes under your feet.
• Holi (Mar–Apr) — The festival of colour, fun and frolic, celebrating the immortal love of Krishna and Radha. The exuberance and the festivity of the season are remarkable. On the first day, people go to temples and light bonfires, but on the second, it's a water fight combined with showers of coloured powder.
• Durga Puja / Navaratri / Dussehara (Sep-Oct) — A nine-day festival culminating in the holy day of Dussehra, when locals worship the Hindu goddess Durga. Workers are given sweets, cash bonuses, gifts and new clothes. It is also a new year for businesspeople when they are supposed to start new account books. In some places like West Bengal and Odisha, Durga Puja is the most important festival. The Dussehra celebrations in the North by burning effigies of Ravana. In Gujarat and Southern India, the festival is celebrated by dancing to devotional songs and religious observances like fasts extended for nine nights.
• Ganesh Chaturthi (Aug–Sep) — The festival of the elephant god Ganesha is celebrated all over India, especially in Maharashtra, Goa and Southern India. It is the best time to visit cities like Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur.
• Christmas (25 Dec) is widely celebrated as a secular festival in India, and a major festival in Kerala, Goa and North-Eastern India.

Islamic celebrations like Id-ul-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr), Id-e-Milad-un-Nabi (Mawlid), Id-ul-Zuha (Eid al-Adha) and Muharram (Ashura) are widely celebrated by Indian Muslims.

Apart from these, each state or union territory has its major local festivals like Onam in Kerala, Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh, Pongal, Thaipusam and Thimithi in Tamil Nadu, Baisakhi in Punjab, Bihu in Assam, and Ratha Yatra (chariot festival for Jagannath) in Odisha. India is a diverse nation, and festivals are a significant part of life for the locals, they provide holidays for about a week.

Many cities and villages also organise fairs with shopping, exhibitions, rides, games and concerts. Each city has at least one book fair with exhibitions of books.

There are numerous national parks and wildlife sanctuaries throughout India, providing outdoor activities like birdwatching, hiking and of course safaris. Besides, the country offers some of Asia's most varied trekking opportunities, from high-altitude Himalayan expeditions to jungle and hill-country trails. The main Himalayan trekking season is from summer to autumn, and popular treks include the Markha Valley and Chadar treks in Ladakh, the Valley of Flowers and Roopkund treks in Uttarakhand, and the Goecha La Trek in Sikkim, which provides spectacular views of Kangchenjunga. Elsewhere, the tea-covered hills around Munnar in Kerala, the forests of the Western Ghats, and the mountains of Meghalaya offer shorter and less demanding hikes.

Mountaineering is popular in the Himalayas, and rock climbing is popular in the Deccan.

India's long coastline and island territories offer a growing number of scuba diving opportunities. Divers can explore coral reefs, rocky outcrops, shipwrecks, and a diverse range of marine life in both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Snorkelling is popular in the Andaman Islands, Lakshadweep, and around Netrani Island off the west coast, where coral reefs and tropical fish can be observed in shallow water. The extensive backwaters of Kerala are ideal for canoe trips, houseboat cruises, and birdwatching, while dolphin-watching tours operate from several coastal destinations, including Goa and the Andamans.

There are many companies in India offering various outdoor activities like paragliding, white water rafting, ballooning, and trekking. For example, the road between Manali and Kullu has dozens of white water and paragliding operators.

It is sometimes questionable how these companies and operators, especially their staff, obtained their licences to offer these activities. Especially the number of companies offering these kinds of activities is an indication that it seems to be not that hard to start such a business. But for things like tandem paragliding, which can be lethal, it is probably a bad idea to have to rely on someone who got his licence under questionable circumstances. And even if he did a course with an official body, the standards in India are still comparably lower than Western ones.

So, it is very important that you verify the company you go with fully, search for ratings and reviews, verify their licences, and only if you fully trust them to go with them.

The currency of India is the Indian rupee (₹, ISO code: INR). You may also see 'Rs' for rupees, as well as prices written like 500/- (with a slash and hyphen at the end).

Common banknotes (shortened to just "notes") are ₹10 (chocolate brown), ₹20 (greenish yellow), ₹50 (fluorescent blue), ₹100 (lavender), ₹200 (bright yellow) and ₹500 (stone grey). They depict Mahatma Gandhi on one side and famous landmarks on the other. Less common notes include ₹1 (pinkish green), ₹5 (green) and ₹2000 (magenta).

Older ₹10 (orange and violet), ₹20 (reddish orange), ₹50 (violet) and ₹100 (greenish blue) Gandhi notes are also in circulation. However, don't accept demonetised notes if somebody tries to palm one off to you as they are impossible to exchange, like the old ₹500 (yellow) and ₹1000 (red) notes.

Common coins are ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10 (yellow ring with steel centre) and ₹20 (steel ring with yellowish gold centre), and they are useful for buying tea (₹5), bus fares (₹2 to ₹20) and for giving exact change for an auto-rickshaw.

It is always good to have a number of ₹10–20 notes and ₹5–10 coins on hand, as merchants and food stalls are notoriously short on change and cash in general, and they often will be stuck if you give them a ₹500 note for small purchases. On the other hand, small coins like ₹1 and ₹2 are often refused. In both cases, it is better to change these for ₹10–20 notes and ₹5–10 coins, and the best way to get change is with bus conductors or other official places.

Also, do not accept notes that are ripped, taped or look in any way unacceptable. Generally, vendors will readily give you a better note, but some might struggle to find any cash at all. Stand your ground, otherwise next time you try to spend such a note it will be your problem and Indians are very selective.

Some people handling your cash will try to shortchange you. In Delhi particularly, this is a universal rule adhered to by all who handle westerners' cash, including official ticket sellers at tourist sites, employees at prepaid taxi stands, and merchants in all but the most upscale businesses. Count your cash before handing it over and ensure that you receive the correct change. Agree on the fare before getting in a taxi to avoid fare-related arguments. Ask a local person or your hotel's front desk to know how much it should cost to travel between two destinations.

Currency exchange offices are rare outside major cities and international airports, although many banks also provide foreign exchange services. Rates for exchanging rupees overseas are often poor, although places with large Indian populations (e.g. Dubai, Singapore) can give decent rates.

ATMs (automated teller machines) are plentiful in urban areas, and they accept RuPay, Visa and MasterCard. Most ATMs will pay out a maximum of ₹10,000 per transaction.

State Bank of India (SBI) has the largest ATM network and it's easy to find one in small villages. ICICI has the second-largest ATM network and accepts most of the international cards at a nominal charge. The postal service (India Post) doubles as a bank and many post offices have an ATM. There are also international banks in major cities, like Citibank, HSBC, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, ABN Amro and Standard Chartered.

Either way, it is always worthwhile to have bank cards or credit cards from at least two different providers to ensure that you have a backup available in case one card is suspended by your bank or simply does not work at a particular ATM.

Decline any offer of dynamic currency conversion (DCC) unless you cannot, or you can verify that the conversion is indeed in your favour – it rarely is. It is often off the market rate by 7% or more, whereas your bank's rate is typically only off 1–3%. While your bank may also charge a fixed fee for its conversion, the exchange rate dominates in typical withdrawals.

Many Indian ATMs do not charge withdrawal fees, and the fee charged can vary depending on your card type, where your bank is and sometimes even the specific ATM you're using. Check fees when using the ATM you haven't used before, or the same ATM with a different card. Besides, your home bank may impose fees, so please check with it before using (see Money#Card usage fees):

• No withdrawal fee:
  • Bank of Baroda
  • Central Bank of India
  • DCB Bank
  • HSBC Bank
  • ISBI Bank
• Withdrawal fee:
  • Axis Bank (₹300)
  • Canara Bank (₹0-200)
  • Citibank (₹200)
  • Federal Bank (₹238)
  • HDFC Bank (₹0-200)
  • ICICI Bank (₹200)
  • IndusInd Bank (₹200)
  • Kotak Mahindra Bank (₹200)
  • Punjab National Bank (₹0-150)
  • Standard Chartered (₹335)
  • State Bank of India (₹0-250) — DCC 8% declinable

Mobile payment apps including BHIM, PhonePe, Paytm and Google Pay use the UPI (Unified Payments Interface) standard. Free and instant, these have exploded in popularity and are increasingly displacing cash across the country, so much that even the local vegetable sellers in small villages are using them. Using your UPI enabled mobile app, you scan a QR code from your vendor, type in a set amount of money and the money can send.

The catch is that as a foreigner without an Indian bank account or phone number, getting UPI set up is quite a hassle. There are several prepaid wallet apps that can work around this, with Mony probably the least bad of the bunch, but they still require a copy of your passport and visa, have a manual verification process that can take a few days, charge a 3.5% commission for transferring in money, and can only make payments to merchant accounts.

Note that Google Pay and Google Wallet are separate apps in India, and Google Wallet is a digital wallet platform that utilises the NFC (near-field communication) standard, similar to Apple Pay or Samsung Wallet.

RuPay (NCMC) prepaid cards are an emerging standard for public transport used on all Indian metro systems nationwide and increasingly on buses as well. They're available at metro stations for ₹50, save 5-20% compared to cash fares and can be topped up. RuPay debit and credit cards are also available but require an Indian bank account.

In many cities and towns, credit cards are accepted at larger hotels, retail chain stores, and other restaurants and shops. Small businesses and family-run shops almost never accept credit cards, so it is useful to keep a moderate amount of cash on hand.

India is generally very inexpensive for Western travellers, although costs can vary widely from region to region, and even in the same city, depending on brand or quality.

A savvy backpacker can be able to get by on as little as ₹800/day and you can double that for any extra comfort. A night in hotel costs as little as ₹200–800, though there will be probably no AC at the lower end. Hostel beds start at ₹150 and generally are ₹300–500. Beach huts in the cheaper places of Goa can cost around ₹800 per night. A meal can be bought from a street trader for as little as ₹30, Samosas and alike go for ₹10–20 per piece, though in a restaurant expect to pay around ₹100-200 for a meal.

Overnight buses and trains can cost anywhere from ₹600-1,000 dependent on distance and locations, though an uncomfortable government bus (benches only) may be half of that. Regular bus transport will cost approximately ₹2/km—if you pay considerably more, something is off. Short-distance bus routes of 3–4 hr are seldomly more than ₹200.

So, a simple day in Rishikesh or Amritsar could look like this:

• Accommodation: ₹0–200 (temple vs. hostel)
• Food: ₹350 (2 full meals, fruits)
• Chai, water, soft drink: ₹100
• Transport: ₹100–200
• Total: ₹400–800 for one person

However, add traveling by taxi, staying in 3+-star hotels, and dining in classy locations, and your daily bill will quickly go up to ₹4,500–10,000 per person. A decent room is ₹2,000–5,000 in a good hotel offering PayTV, AC, and sometimes refrigerator. Food will cost at least ₹400 for a decent meal, but the sky is the limit. A taxi or auto may cost ₹20–30/km. There are radio taxis that are available at ₹20–25/km in key Indian cities which have GPS navigation, AC and accept debit/credit cards for payments. So, the total for one day would be about as below:

• Hotel: ₹2,500–5,000 per room for a good place per day
• Food: ₹1,200 for a good meal per day
• Travel: ₹1,800 taxi and bus together
• Total: ₹5,000 for one person, ₹8,000 for a couple

Foreign visitors will quickly encounter the special foreigners' rates that they are charged in some places in India. This applies to many tourist attractions, such as museums and historical sites. The difference in pricing is because the Indian government subsidises entry fees for local people, to make these attractions more affordable for taxpayers. While this may seem discriminatory, it is practised in most developing countries in Asia and Africa and helps make these attractions more accessible to local people.

Some tourist attractions that are run by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have different rates for Indians and foreigners. These rates are prominently posted at the entrance and ticketing booths. The rates for foreigners may be as many as five to ten times those for Indians. Likewise, if you are reserving a hotel room or an airline ticket over the internet, you may find that paying in euros or US dollars costs significantly more. You can get an Indian friend to book in rupees and in most cases, no one will question you at the time of check in.

People from SAARC (South Asia plus Afghanistan) or BIMSTEC (South Asia minus Pakistan and the Maldives, plus Myanmar and Thailand) countries, as well as those who have an OCI card (see the Get in section above), are exempt from this pricing, enjoying the same fare as Indian citizens when visiting tourist attractions.

In India there has traditionally been little or no tipping, and today tipping is unusual outside of fancier restaurants where up to 10% is appropriate. The fancier restaurants may also levy a service charge of up to 15% apart from government taxes. Some restaurants have also started placing jars at the cashier for people to drop in some change if they feel so, but this is a rather rare phenomenon. Most clubs in India have a complete ban on its members from tipping. Usually no service industry except the food services industry expects a tip. In India, it is unlawful for taxi or rickshaw drivers to charge anything above the meter.

Baksheesh was originally a Persian word for charity, but it has spread to many languages including most of those in India. Depending on context, its English translation might be any of donation, gift, tip, bribe, alms or commission. Having Indians you deal with want baksheesh is a fairly common phenomenon. While this is sometimes a problem, doing it can ease certain problems and clear some hurdles. Baksheesh is also the term used by beggars when they want money from you and may refer to tips given those who provide you a service.

In India, you are expected to negotiate the price with street hawkers but not in department stores and the like. If not, you risk overpaying many times, which can be okay if you think that it is cheaper than at home.

Often, the more time you spend in a shop, the better deals you will get. It is worth spending time getting to know the owner, asking questions, and getting him to show you other products (if you are interested). Once the owner feels that they will make a sufficient profit from you, they will often give you additional goods at a rate close to cost, rather than the common "foreigner rate". You will get better prices and service by buying many items in one store than by bargaining in multiple stores individually. If you see local people buying in a store, you should be able to find out the real Indian prices. Ask someone around you quietly, "How much would you pay for this?"

Many cities and towns have retail chain stores where the shopping experience is essentially identical to the ones in the West. There are also some government-run stores like the Cottage Emporium and Dilli Haat INA in Delhi, where you can sample wares from all across the country in air-conditioned comfort. Although you will pay a little more at these stores, you can be sure that what you are getting is not a cheap knockoff. The harder you bargain, the more you save money. A few tries later, you will realise that it is fun.

Also, very often you will meet a "friend" in the street inviting you to visit their family's shop. That almost always means that you pay twice as much as when you had been in the shop without your newly found friend.

Packaged goods show the MRP (Maximum Retail Price) on package, which includes GST (Goods and Services Tax). Retailers are not supposed to charge more than this, although you may be charged more at tourist spots or remote places. This is especially true for cold drinks like Coke or Pepsi, where a bottle (300 ml) costs around ₹33–35 when the actual price is ₹30. Also, keep in mind that a surprising number of things do not come in packaged form. Do check for the authenticity of the MRP, as shopkeepers may put up their own sticker to charge more from you.

• Wood carvings — India produces a striking variety of carved wood products that can be bought at very low prices. Examples include decorative wooden plates, bowls, artwork, furniture and miscellaneous items that will surprise you. Check the regulations of your home country before attempting to import wooden items.
• Clothing — It depends on the region you are visiting. Most of the states have their speciality to offer. For example, go for silk sarees if you are visiting Varanasi; Block prints if you are in Jaipur.
• Paintings — Paintings come on a wide variety of media, such as cotton, silk, or with frame included. Gemstone paintings incorporate semi-precious stone dust, so they have a glittering appearance to them.
• Marble and stone carvings — Common carved items include elephants, and Hindu gods and goddesses. Compare several of the same kind. If they look too similar bargain hard as they are probably machine made.
• Jewellery — Beautiful necklaces, bracelets and other jewellery are very inexpensive in India. Note possible duty on returning home.
• Pillow covers and bedsets — Striking and rich designs are common for pillows and bed covers.
• Carpets — India has a long history of carpet production and makes many today for both domestic and export markets.

Western and designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci, Zara, A & F, all are available in upmarket stores in malls especially in the larger cities.

The advent of Amazon Prime delivery has made shopping a lot easier in India, and you can buy many different products on it including traditional sarees and dresses, for often a far cheaper price than if you were to buy one in the West.

Furthermore the arrival of quick commerce services like Blinkit, BigBasket and Zepto has been revolutionary in delivering day to day groceries, all the way to random goods right to your doorstep in approximately 10 minutes; it is very cheap.

It is customary to put up a token friendly argument with your host or any other member of the group when paying at restaurant or while making purchases, except if the host has made it clear beforehand that it is his or her treat, especially for some specific occasion. The etiquette for this is somewhat complicated.

• If you are someone's personal guest and they take you out to a restaurant, you should offer to pay anyway, and you should insist a lot. Sometimes these fights get a little funny, with each side trying to snatch the note away from the other, all the time laughing politely. If you don't have experience in these things, chances are you will lose the chance the first time, but in that case make sure that you pay the next time (and try to make sure that there is a next time). Unless the amount is very large do not offer to share it, and only as a second resort after they have refused to let you pay it all.
• The same rule applies when you are making a purchase. If you are purchasing something for yourself, your host might still offer to pay for it if the amount is not very high, and sometimes, even if it is. In this situation, unless the amount is very low, you should never lose the fight, and if the amount is ridiculously low, say less than ₹10, don't insult your hosts by putting up a fight. Even if by chance you lose the fight to pay the shopkeeper, it is customary to practically thrust (in a nice way, of course) the money into your host's hands.

Indian cuisine takes its place among the great of the world. There is a good chance you have tasted 'Indian food' in your country, especially if you're from the West. But what India has exported is just a part of its extraordinary range of culinary diversity.

Indian food can be spicy: Potent fresh green chillies or red chilli powder will bring tears to the eyes of the uninitiated, and can be found in unexpected places like sweet cornflakes (a snack, not breakfast) or even candies. The degree of spiciness varies widely throughout the country: Andhra food is famously fiery, while Gujarati cuisine is quite mild in taste with the exception of Surti food (from Surat).

To enjoy the local food, start slowly; don't try everything at once. After a few weeks, you can get accustomed to spicy food. If you would like to order your dish not spicy, simply say so. Most visitors are tempted to try at least some of the spicy concoctions, and most discover that the sting is worth the trouble. Remember, too, that while "spicy" is a convenient shorthand for "chilli-laden", the spiciness of food in India doesn't always mean lots of chilli; the country's cuisine often uses a multitude of different spices and other aromatic ingredients in highly creative and flavourful ways, like ginger and garlic.

It is, of course, impossible to do full justice to the range and diversity of Indian food in this brief section. Not only does every region of India have a distinctive cuisine, but you will also find that even within a region, castes and ethnic communities have different styles of cooking and often have their signature recipes, which you will probably not find in restaurants. The adventurous traveller is advised to wangle invitations to homes, try various bylanes of the city and look for food in unlikely places like temples and gurdwaras in search of culinary nirvana.

• Northern India is a wheat-growing area, so you have flatbreads like roti or chapati (unleavened bread), paratha (pan-fried layered roti), naan (cooked in a clay tandoor oven), puri (deep-fried and puffed up bread) and many more. A typical meal consists of one or more gravy dishes along with rotis, to be eaten by breaking off a piece of roti, dipping it in the gravy and eating them together.
• In Southern India, the food is mostly rice-based. A typical meal includes sambhar (a thick vegetable and lentil chowder) with rice, rasam (a thin, peppery soup), or avial (mixed vegetables) with rice, traditionally served on a banana leaf as a plate. In Kerala, it is common to use grated coconut in everything and coconut oil for cooking, and Udupi is especially famous for its vegetarian cuisine.
• The food in Eastern India makes heavy use of rice and fish due to the vast river channels and ocean coastline in the region.

A lot of food has also filtered in from other countries. Indian Chinese (or Chindian) is far and away the most common adaptation. Most Chinese would barely recognise the stuff, but dishes like "veg manchurian" (deep-fried vegetable balls in a chilli-soy-ginger sauce) and "chilli chicken" are very much a part of the Indian cultural landscape and worth a try. Many of these dishes have origins from the Overseas Chinese communities in Kolkata and Mumbai. Tibetan and Nepali food, especially momo dumplings, are not uncommon in Northern India.

The British left fish and chips and some fusion dishes like mulligatawny soup, kedgeree and pish pash as well as Bombay pudding.

Pizza and pasta have entered India in a big way, and the chains such as Pizza Hut and Domino's have Indianised the pizza and introduced adaptations like paneer-tikka pizza. There is an Indian chain called Smokin Joe's, based in Mumbai, which has mixed Thai curry with pizzas. However, often ready-made sauces with lots of additives and spices are used. Also, the cheese is sometimes of questionable type (some feta-style type) in normal restaurants. So, you are better off asking exactly what ingredients they use, if you don't want to be surprised negatively.

For more information about Indian cuisine, you can read the South Asian cuisine article.

While a wide variety of fruits are native to India, including the chikoo and the jackfruit, nothing is closer to an Indian's heart than a juicy ripe mango. Hundreds of varieties are found across most of its regions. In fact, India is the largest producer, growing more than half the world's output.

Mangoes are in season at the hottest part of the year, usually between May and July, and range from small (as big as a fist) to some as big as a small cantaloupe. They can be consumed in their ripe, unripe and also a baby form (the last 2 predominantly in pickles). Alphonso mangoes, often called the "King of Mangoes" in India, are cultivated in the western coast of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka. Buy it from Crawford Market or a good fruit shop in Mumbai. Dushheri mangoes are also popular.

Other fruits widely available (depending on the season) are bananas, oranges, papayas, guavas, lychees, apples, pineapples, pomegranates, apricots, melons, coconuts, grapes, plums, peaches and berries.

Apples and pears can be dull and unjuicy, because they are not perfectly adjusted to the local environment and sometimes suffer from mildew. However, many of these fruits are grown in Kashmir, where the climate is most suited, and you can find vast orchards there.

Papayas are often harvested when they still green, because the fruit vendor will of course not want to be in the situation where he has to sell them all at once. Instead they get ripe each separately after a while. However, this is of course not good for the taste, and it can be hard to find a good and sweet papaya.

Chicken and mutton (goat meat) are the most common meats served in India. Seafood is also ubiquitous in coastal regions, and a few regional cuisines do use duck, venison and other game meats in traditional dishes. However, as the cow is considered a holy animal in Hinduism, beef is generally not served. In addition, it is illegal to slaughter cattle or import beef in many states. Nonetheless, buff (water buffalo meat) is widely consumed in Kerala, Goa and North-Eastern India.

In addition, pork is uncommon due to the large Muslim population.

Vegetarian travellers will discover a culinary treasure that is found nowhere else in the world. Owing to the presence of a minority but influential lacto-vegetarians, Indian cuisine has evolved an astonishingly rich menu that uses no meat or eggs. At least half the menus of most restaurants are devoted to vegetarian dishes, and by law all packaged food products in India are tagged with a green dot (vegetarian) or red traingle (non-veg). In addition, 'pure vegetarian' offerings often exclude vegetables like onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots, radishes or anything grown under the soil.

Milk is widely consumed in northern and western India, and products like cheese (paneer), yoghurt (dahi) and clarified butter (ghee) are used extensively (in particular, ghee can be hard to spot as it can be mixed into curries before they are served), and honey is also commonly used as a sweetener. However, outside dairy products, milk is generally not pasteurised, and must be boiled before consumption.

Despite the large vegetarian community, veganism is not well-understood due to the popularity of dairy products. But some restaurants in Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Bengaluru increasingly cater for vegans, and foods like tofu, soy chunks and soy milk are readily available in major cities, as well as some minor ones. Besides, a number of Indian foods normally avoid animal food, including standard restaurant dishes such as aloo gobhi, channa masala, various types of dal, dosas, and the vast majority of Indo-Chinese dishes.

Dishes made with dairy products are usually denoted as such (referencing their use of butter or ghee, in particular). Most restaurants will accommodate dietary restrictions, and it is advisable to ask if a dish contains milk, butter, cream, yogurt or ghee. However, virtually all Indian desserts are non-vegan except jalebi and imarti, which are made by deep-frying a batter prepared with black gram flour.

Halal meat is easy to find among the Muslim minorities in India. Outside areas with a noticeable Muslim community, halal meat and halal-certified restaurants are scarce.

Kosher food is largely unknown, and certified kosher establishments are extremely limited. While contacting Chabad India a few days in advance is an option, it is not the most convenient option, unlike in most other Asian countries. Your best bet is at vegetarian restaurants, which avoid cross-contamination and can be found nearly everywhere across the country even in coastal areas. In some big cities you will find sizeable Jewish communities which you could consult for help. However, restaurants in India that also serve meat are almost never kosher.

Indian restaurants run the gamut from roadside shacks (ḍhābā) to classy five-star places where the experience is comparable to places anywhere in the world. Away from the big cities and tourist haunts, mid-level restaurants are scarce, and food choices will be limited to the local cuisine, Punjabi/Mughlai, "Chinese"/"Indo-Chinese" and occasionally South Indian.

The credit for popularising Punjabi cuisine all over the country goes to the dhabas that line India's highways. Their patrons are usually the truckers, who happen to be overwhelmingly Punjabi. The authentic dhaba serves up simple yet tasty seasonal dishes like roti and dal with onions. Hygiene can be an issue in many dhabas, so if one's not up to your standards try another. In rural areas, dhabas are usually the only option.

In the context of rating, a 'hotel' is a local restaurant serving local food, usually prepared meals or a thāli — a full plate of food that usually includes dal, vegetables, raita, and depending on region, roti or rice. Egg, fish or meat is included in eastern and southern Indian thalis, but they aren't in veg thalis. Dal, vegetables and sometimes raita can often be had several times. A typical thali goes for ₹100-150.

Although you may be often be handed an extensive menu, most dishes are served only during specific hours, if at all.

Many restaurants and eateries offer 'takeaways', that is prepared meals supplied to eat elsewhere.

The main two food delivery services across India are Swiggy and Zomato, which generally even deliver to the smaller villages. Most restaurants and eateries have an online food delivery service through both of the above or either one of the two.

All the Western fast food chains like McDonalds, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Domino’s and KFC offer their own food delivery service albeit to a limited radius.

In India eating with your hand (instead of cutlery like forks and spoons) is very common. One etiquette to observe here is to use only your right hand, even if you're left-landed. The left hand is reserved for unhygienic uses. Don't stick either hand into communal serving dishes; instead, use the spatula with your left hand to serve yourself and then dig in.

For all types of breads, the basic technique is to hold down the item with your forefinger and use your middle-finger and thumb to tear off pieces. The pieces can then be dipped in sauce, curry or used to pick up bits before you stuff them in your mouth. Rice is more challenging, but the basic idea is to use four fingers to mix the rice in curry and pack a little ball, before you pop it in your mouth by pushing it with your thumb.

Eating by hand is frowned on in some 'classier' places. Most restaurants provide cutlery and it's pretty safe to use them instead of your hand. However, if you are provided with cutlery and nobody else around you seems to be doing it, then take the hint.

The Indian states of Bihar, Gujarat (although liquor permits are available), Mizoram, Nagaland, 4 districts in Manipur and 2 districts in Maharashtra do not permit the consumption of alcohol. The union territory of Lakshadweep is also alcohol-free except Bangaram.

The parts of India that do allow the sale and consumption may have laws and regulations not typically seen in the West such as the 'dry days' when alcohol is not allowed or is available, especially on certain public holidays and elections. It is important to check the laws of your state, district, subdistrict or settlement. This is generally a big deal in rural areas or in religious temple towns, although resorts and 5-star hotels are usually exempted.

Most Indian states have a legal drinking age of 21, though it is 18 in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Ladakh, Puducherry, Rajasthan and Sikkim, 23 in Kerala, and 25 in Chandigarh, Delhi, Maharashtra and Punjab.

It is illegal to sell alcohol within 500 m (1,600 ft) of a highway. So if your hotel does not have alcoholic drinks, this may well be the reason.

Favourite Indian tipples include beer and rum. Kingfisher Gold, Haywards 5000 and Godfather, Budweiser and Tuborg sell beer at around ₹90-220 for a large bottle of 750 mL in the liquor shop.

Old Monk is a popular rum brand. Prices vary by state, especially for hard liquor, but you can expect to pay anywhere between ₹500 and ₹800 for a 750 mL bottle of Old Monk. Mumbai tends to be the most expensive, due to local taxes, which can be three-times as much as Meghalaya.

Indian wines have improved remarkably and there's a booming wine industry in the hills of Maharashtra, particularly in Sangli and Nashik, with large grape vineyards in these areas. The good stuff is not particularly cheap (expect to pay around ₹500 a bottle) and selections are mostly limited to white wines but look out for labels by Chateau Indage or Sula.

Feni or fenny is an extremely pungent liquor in Goa, typically made from cashew fruits or coconuts. With an alcoholic content of 40-45%, it is potent with subtle fruity notes. Feni can be served neat in a shot glass, with ice or as part of a lemony cocktail.

Toddy is a moderately alcoholic drink made from the fermented sap of the coconut palm tree. Also known as palm wine, it has an ABV of about 8.1%. It is cloudy white in colour and has a touch of sweetness in its taste. Toddy is commonly drunk among the rural folk in South India and parts of Western India.

Tongba is a slightly alcoholic beer made by partially fermenting finger millet. It is the traditional drink of the Limbu people who are native to parts of Sikkim and Darjeeling. It has an earthy and soupy taste and gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling when you drink it.

	Thinking of consuming cannabis?: Cannabis is illegal to consume as a flower or as a resin, except the bhang bought from government-licensed shops, and possession could lead to fines or imprisonment. Wikivoyage maintains that consuming cannabis is purely at your own risk and may lead to mental illness and major long-term health issues.

While cannabis in India has been used in forms like charas (resin) and ganja (flower), the one legal and socially accepted form is bhang, prepared from the seeds and leaves of the cannabis plant. It is sold at government-licensed shops in some states, notably Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and is traditionally distributed during Holi or Maha Shivaratri.

Bhang is not only smoked, but also made into cookies, chocolate and the infamous bhang lassi, a herb-laced version of the normally innocuous yogurt drink. Bhang lassi is usually available at varying strengths, so use caution if opting for the stronger versions. It's also occasionally sold as "special lassi" but is usually easily spotted by the special price tag (several times higher than the non-special kinds).

Remember that the effects of bhang are slow and heighten when consumed with something sweet. Also, first-time users may want to wait a while before consuming too much in an effort to judge their tolerance.

India's nightlife is vibrant in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. Other than age limits, some clubs can be "men-only".

Gambling laws vary by state, and there are legalised casinos in Daman, Goa and Sikkim. Some forms of organised betting are restricted, although lottery and horse racing are exempt from it. Lottery, in particular, is very popular in India, and many companies offer it.

Online money games are prohibited in India since 2026.

One of the sweetest and safest beverages you can get is young coconut water (nariyal paani). You can almost always find it in any beach or other tourist destinations in the south. In summer (Mar-Jul), you can get fresh sugarcane juice in many places and even a lot of fresh fruit juice varieties.

India is famous for its Alphonso variety of mangoes, generally regarded as the King of Mangoes among connoisseurs. Frooti, in its famous tetra-pack, is the most popular processed drink, followed by Maaza (bottled by Coca-Cola) or Slice (bottled by PepsiCo), both of which contain about 15% Alphonso mango pulp. Both cost about ₹30-50 for a 600 ml bottle.

Rooh Afza is a branded herbal squash concentrate that contains the essences of various fruits, herbs and flowers like rose petals and kewra (screw pine). Formulated in 1906, it is very popular in India among children and adults alike and is generally consumed during the summer. It is drunk either mixed with water and ice, where it becomes a sherbet, or with milk and ice which looks like strawberry milk but has a more fragrant flavour profile. It can also be used as a syrup which is poured on ice cream and other desserts.

Kanji is a fermented, probiotic drink made from black carrots, whose hue is in actual fact a deep purple. Popular in northern India, it is usually made during the festival of Holi and in the summer months. Kanji has a sharp, acquired taste but is worth a try if you want to experience something new.

Shikanjvi is a salted and mildly spiced lemonade/limeade from Punjab which in addition to lemon, sugar and salt, can be flavoured with black pepper, cumin, ginger and mint leaves. It is a staple in the peak of oppressive summers, when it helps stave off dehydration and electrolyte loss.

Solkadhi is a refreshingly tart and creamy drink from the Konkan region made with coconut milk and kokum, a sour fruit from the mangosteen family which gives the drink its purply-pink colour. It is usually garnished with temperated spices and herbs, such as coriander and mint leaves.

One can get tea (chai in Hindi, Kashmiri, Malayalam and Urdu; chā in Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Konkani, Odia and Punjabi; chahā in Kannada and Marathi; and tēnīr in Tamil and Telugu) of one variety or the other everywhere in India. The most common method of preparing chai is by brewing tea leaves, milk, and sugar altogether in a pot and keeping it hot until it's all sold. It is sweet and uniquely refreshing once you get the taste for it.

• Masala chai has a strong brew of black tea simmered with milk, sugar, and spices such as ginger, cardamom, cloves, or cinnamon. For some people, that takes some getting used to.
• However, people in tea-growing states (for example Assam and West Bengal) generally consume tea without spices, the English way. Assam produces bold, malty teas and Darjeeling in West Bengal is known for its delicate, floral flavours. These teas are considered premium abroad.
• Nilgiri tea from Southern India is fragrant and smooth. However, coffee is more common in this region.
• Everyday tea served in homes and cafés is usually a strong CTC (crush‑tear‑curl) blend.
• In cities, travellers will also find cafés offering green tea, herbal infusions, and more modern tea‑based drinks, but traditional chai remains the most authentic and widely enjoyed option.

Street‑side tea stalls, often called tapris or chaiwalas, serve small glasses or clay cups of hot, sweet chai throughout the day, making them popular social hubs.

Coffee is a long‑standing part of daily life in Southern India, and South Indian filter coffee is the most iconic preparation, different from Western filter coffee. It is made with a metal drip filter, producing a strong decoction that’s mixed with hot milk and sugar, then poured back and forth between cups to create a frothy top.

The Western Ghats grow much of India's coffee, including the Arabica and Monsooned Malabar varieties.

Besides, coffee culture has grown rapidly in cities across India, where cafés serve espresso‑based drinks alongside local favourites like cold coffee (a sweet, milkshake‑like drink). Instant coffee is widely available and often used in homes and small eateries. Travellers seeking high‑quality beans will find specialty roasters in major cities, while rural areas may offer simpler, sweeter preparations.

There are popular Indian café chains like Barista, Café Coffee Day and Indian Coffee House, as well as the foreign ones like Starbucks, which is a joint venture of Tata in India.

India offers a wide variety of hotels rated on a scale of stars, from 5-star luxury to 1-star basic. There are also several bed and breakfast establishments (abbreviated as "B&B") offering standard services that can be expected from B&Bs outside India. The basics include: air-conditioner or fan, free food and free Wi-Fi. If you intend to stay longer in one place, there are often places catering to tourists that offer long-term rent for around ₹10,000 per month, including a kitchen and bathroom.

Popular hotel booking sites include Goibibo, MakeMyTrip and redBus, as well as Western options like Booking.com. Alternatively, you can also use Google Maps in combination with WhatsApp to inquire the price beforehand. If you are sure that there are more than enough places around where you are heading, just walking around and asking for the price can be sufficient, but overcharging of foreigners is widespread and you will have to bargain hard. Some cities like Chandigarh have weird regulations for foreigners and walking around inquiring the price with hotels might be frustrating, since many will not accept foreigners even if you have made a reservation in advance.

Accommodation choices vary widely depending on budget and location. If the wallet allows it, you can try staying like royalty in a maharaja's palace in places like Udaipur or modern five-star hotels which are now found pretty much all over the country. The top-end of Indian luxury rests with hotel chains like Oberoi, Taj and The Leela. The usual international chains also run major 5-star hotels in most Indian metropolises, but availability is tight and prices can be crazy — it's not uncommon to be quoted over US$300/night for what would in other countries be a distinctly ordinary business hotel going for a third of the price. Also beware that some jurisdictions including Delhi and Bengaluru charge stiff luxury taxes on the rack rate of the room, which can lead to nasty surprises at check-out time.

Budget hotels and guest houses are available for around ₹300-500, and rooms with a double bed (and often a bathroom) can be found for around ₹1,000 — this seems to be the going rate for most budget accommodations in more frequented places nowadays. Local, unbranded hotels can be found in any city, but quality varies widely. There are also mid-range options in cities, and prices vary from ₹1,000 to 4,000 per night.

Hostels are available for as little as ₹200. They generally have a very high standard; clean beds, nice common rooms, etc., since most are new and oriented towards Western style. Most hostels have their own restaurant, and it is their way to make extra money from their guests — they might even get upset if you don't dine with them. Be aware that most people travelling in India nowadays are Indians and they will mostly always outnumber foreigners in hostels and dorms. It is common for Indian guests to call their family or friends in the middle of the night, wake up loudly at 6AM, consume high-odour food in their beds, watch videos on their mobiles without headphones, and speak loudly with their friends until late.

Most Indian railway stations have rooms or dormitories, just ask the railway officials or reserve it online on the railway website — reservation is highly recommended. If you just show up, the only option left might be the AC waiting room for ₹10/hr. Rooms and dorms are cheap (around ₹800 and ₹300 respectively), relatively well maintained (the beds, sheets, not the showers) and secure. There is also the added bonus of not being accosted by the touts, getting the bags off quickly and, for the adventurous, high likelihood to jump on a cheap public bus back to the station. Keep in mind you must have an arrival or departure train ticket from the station where you intend to sleep, and there could be a limit on how many nights you may stay.

One way of meeting interesting Indian travellers is by staying at a "dak bungalow" or "dak bangla". Also called travellers' bungalows or inspection bungalows, they were built by the British to accommodate travelling officials and are now used by the Central and state governments for the same purpose. They exist in many towns and some rural locations. Most will take tourists at a moderate fee if they have room. They are clean, comfortable and usually in good locations, but plain with ceiling fans rather than air conditioning, shower but no bath. Typically the staff includes a pensioned-off soldier as night watchman and perhaps another as gardener; often the gardens are lovely. Sometimes there may be a cook; his or her services will be free but you should buy ingredients. A similar accommodation are the PWD Tourist Rest Houses, they can also be found in many towns and cities, are mostly for people from the "public workers department" but also accept tourists if not completely booked.

Make sure to bring your passport and visa/OCI wherever you go, as most hotels will not rent out rooms without a valid passport and visa/OCI. Two important factors to keep in mind when choosing a place to stay are safety and cleanliness.

Although India is not a popular destination for international students, there are many top-tier institutions that provide quality education for students, such as the 23 IITs (Indian Institutes of Technology), 32 NITs (National Institutes of Technology), 22 IIMs (Indian Institutes of Management), 20 AIIMS (All India Institutes of Medical Sciences), the IISc (Indian Institute of Science) and CMC (Christian Medical College) Vellore. They all offer undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral courses, as well as degrees to foreign students.

Students aiming for decent higher education strive to get into these institutes through a fiendishly difficult admission processes, both due to nature of the test and the prevailing competition. In particular, admissions to the top five IITs (Bombay, Delhi, Kanpur, Kharagpur and Madras) are so competitive that it is harder for an Indian student to get into one of them than it is for an American student to get into an Ivy League college, or a British student to get into Oxbridge.

Other than higher education, there are many vocational institutes that cater to the growing demand for skill-based education, such as the ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes) and various "government polytechnics".

Besides conventional education, there are many things to learn that interest foreigners all over India, including philosophy, religion, language, cuisine or dance. Varanasi in particular is a well-remowned place to learn Sanskrit, Hindi and classical music, and Rishikesh is famous for its yoga schools. There are also Ayurvedic schools in Kerala, as well as Buddhist schools in Dharamsala, Bodh Gaya and Bir.

Other than that, cooking classes are very popular. However, Indian cuisine varies a lot between regions, so if you have the time and appetite, it's worth checking out courses in a variety of areas such as West Bengal and Southern India.

Foreigners need a work permit to be employed in India, which is granted after an application to the local Indian embassy, high commission or consulate along with proof of potential employment and supporting documents. Many companies favour those with those with an OCI card (if having same skill set) as they do not require a work permit. Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan can live and work freely in India, and do not require work permits.

India has a huge growing economy, and there are many opportunities in IT (information technology), finance and consulting sectors. Many expatriates work for multinational companies (MNCs) in India, and country has a large expat community. There are many avenues for finding employment, including popular job-hunting websites like LinkedIn, Naukri and Unstop.

English is widely used in business, particularly in the technology and corporate sectors, although knowledge of local languages can be an advantage in many regions and industries. Remote work has become increasingly common in major cities, with numerous coworking spaces and business centres available. Many workplaces maintain a relatively hierarchical structure, and employees are generally expected to show respect to senior colleagues and managers. While Western MNCs and local startups often have more informal environments, Indian companies may place greater emphasis on formal titles, punctuality and established chains of command. Long working hours are not uncommon in some sectors, particularly in technology, finance, and consulting. Business attire ranges from formal Western clothing to local professional dress, depending on the workplace and region.

Previously, an AIDS test result was required as part of the work visa application process. It is highly recommended that applicants obtain test results in their home country beforehand if possible.

There are many volunteer opportunities around the country including teaching. India has a reasonable presence of foreign Christian missionaries, who for the most part form the non-local religious workers, since the other major religions of the world either grew out of India or have had a long-term presence.

A living can be made in the traveller scenes by providing some kind of service such as baking Western cakes, tattooing, haircuts and styling or massage.

	WARNING: In addition to the warnings provided below and in region articles, check travel advisories, especially for the Indo–Pakistani border, but also for other areas. There are border conflicts and local political unrest.
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You should check with your embassy or ask for local advice before heading to Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh or North-Eastern India. These areas have had serious law-and-order problems for a long time.

As a rule, India is quite safe for foreigners, apart from instances of petty crime and theft, as long as certain basic precautions and common sense are observed. Women should be cautious travelling alone at night.

Many first-time overseas visitors experience culture shock while visiting India. Travellers expecting maharajas and fabulous palaces get shocked when their first impressions are dominated by poverty instead. Most visitors quickly get inured to it as pitfalls of urbanisation and start seeing the good sides too but take it easy on your first few days and schedule some time to get away from it all.

For any emergency dial ☏ 112, the national emergency helpline number in India. This number is available 24/7 across India, and will be answered by an emergency services operator who will ask you which services you need (police, fire, ambulance, coast guard, women or child) and for your location. You can call the number without any service from your provider. Try to speak the words slowly so that the operator on the phone does not have problems understanding your foreign English accent.

In addition, the Ministry of Tourism has a 24-hour helpline for tourists in need. You can call the helpline number at ☏ +1800-11-1363 or just ☏ 1363.

General policing in India is split into 28 state and 8 union territory police forces. State police forces come under the respective state government, and the UT forces come under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) of the Government of India. Large cities like Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai also have their own police forces, but except the Kolkata Police, the metropolitan forces come under the respective state police.

In addition, the central government maintains various armed and unarmed police forces.

• The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) patrols large airports and metro networks.
• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is used in election security as well as during civil disorders and insurgencies.
• The Railway Protection Force (RPF) patrols the Indian Railways, including the Kolkata Metro.

Unfortunately, corruption and inefficiency are present in all Indian police forces, and the quality of the police force varies by officer.

Police officers in much of India wear khaki uniforms. However, the police officers in Howrah, Kolkata and Pondicherry traditionally wear white uniforms. Some police officers wear caps, and some traffic police officers also wear helmets.

For non-emergency crimes, go down to the police station to report them. You should insist that the police make a first information report (FIR) and receive a copy of it if you are reporting any serious crimes, as it's a legal requirement for them to do so. The police will only start the investigation after the FIR is made.

Some first-time travellers to India suddenly feel their lives shifting and start believing in reincarnation and other wonderful ideas available throughout the country. While certain teachings in Indian culture can be new and overwhelming, the immediate acceptance of them and following their principles can be cause for concern. If you want to explore your newly discovered worldview, a better option is through the learning centres teaching Ayurveda, meditation or yoga, or in a group setting where you trust the other people.

• Be careful with the self-proclaimed sādhus who wander from temple to temple looking for food and money. Don't wander off into the woods alone with such "holy" men just because you suddenly believe in a new reality. They can be dangerous, especially if drugs are involved, and even the police cannot "touch" them, even in cases of murder. There have been some high-profile disappearances of Westerners in India in connection with sādhus. They are more likely to be legitimate if they are wandering or meditating in Himachal Pradesh or Uttarakhand.
• On the opposite side, you might get overwhelmed by India so much that you might start showing signs of panic or paranoia. The culture is so ruthless that people can find themselves in situations where they feel the whole world is against them, or they feel they cannot trust anyone anymore. Even worse, they suddenly become superstitious and believe in all sorts of negative things happening to them due to some arbitrary reason, and scammers, touts and thieves will try to exploit this situation.
• These psychological reactions are mostly a threat to younger travellers, those who haven't seen much of the world, and those who don't have their feet planted firmly on the ground. Also, the involvement of marijuana or other drugs in certain tourist regions can lead to these issues.

For both sides of these problems, it is always good to let your friends and family regularly know where you are and call home from time to time to stay in touch with reality. Don't travel on your own but find a travel buddy or group to go with. Avoid the Indian hassle from time to time, there are many comfortable oases where Indian problems seem far far away. Don't be a first-time weed smoker in India, especially not with people you just met, this is not the right setting to have a first and pleasant trip in. In the event of a crisis, seek the help of an uninvolved fellow (Western) traveller, who often has more connection to you than any Indian will ever have.

Many first-time travellers to India fall victim to scams and touts. Be on guard for anybody trying to help you by giving you unsolicited directions or travel advice. Do not rely on the advice of taxi and auto drivers. If this is your first time in India, do not admit it, as this will make you more vulnerable to touts.

Don't trust strangers offering assistance or services, and you should assume that anyone in touristed areas offering to help you has a hidden agenda to part you from your money. Be particularly wary of frauds at temples in touristed areas like Kanchipuram, where they prey on those unfamiliar with local customs. If a priest or guide offers to treat you to a religious ceremony, find out what it will cost you first, and do not allow yourself to be pressured into making "donations" of thousands of rupees — simply walk away if you feel uncomfortable. However, in areas hardly or not at all visited by tourists, it is not uncommon for people to go out of their way to help you when you approach, without expecting anything in return.

Some people will unabashedly stare at foreign tourists and may shove their phones in your face and take pictures; just turn your head. Don't get too paranoid: foreigners on the train, or Indian families who want to take your picture on their own camera, for example, are often just genuinely curious.

There are a myriad of scams in India, ranging from telling you your hotel has gone out of business (of course, they'll know of one that's open with vacancies), to giving wrong directions to a 'ticket booking office' (the directions will be to their friend's tour office), to trying to get you to take 'diamonds' back to your home country (the 'diamonds' are worthless crystal), to 'poor students' giving you sightseeing for hours and then with pity make you buy school books for them (tremendously overpriced from a bookshop with whom they are affiliated). There will also be more obvious touts who 'know a very good place for dinner' or want to sell you a chess set on the street.

Faced with such an assault, it's very easy to get into a siege mentality where all of India is against you and out to squeeze you dry, affecting any true appreciation of the country. Dealing with touts is simple: assume anyone offering surprising information (such as "your hotel is shut down") is a tout. Never be afraid to get a second or third answer to a question. To get rid of touts:

• Completely ignore them and go about your business until they go away. This may take quite a while, but patience is key to managing India.
• Tell them "no", very firmly, and repeatedly.

It is also beneficial to have a firm Indian friend whom you can trust. If they show you around, they will act to help you ward off such touts.

Overseas visitors are often magnets for beggars, and they will often go as far as touching you and following you, tugging on your sleeve. It does little good to get angry or to say "No" loudly. The best response is to look unconcerned and ignore the behaviour. The more attention you pay to them, positive or negative, the longer they will follow you hoping for a donation. Beggars, especially malnourished children and the badly deformed, can be particularly disturbing, and begging is especially common in cities and pilgrimage sites.

Cybercrime, internet scamming, card skimming and confidence scams are common. They come in many forms and can cause great financial loss. If you are the victim of such a crime, make a complaint to your local police cybercell. There's also a government portal to report cybercrimes, namely the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal ^{[dead link]}.

It is better to avoid going out on the roads alone, especially in remote places or lanes and by-lanes without many people at night. Keeping some company is always advisable.

Driving in India can be dangerous. Irresponsible driving habits, insufficient highway infrastructure development, wandering livestock and other hazards make travelling on the country's roads a sometimes-nerve-wracking undertaking.

More than 183,000 people died on Indian roads in 2025, the highest figure in the world, and that's despite having only 140-200 cars per 1,000 people. The first encounter with a typical Indian highway will no doubt feature a traffic mix of lumbering trucks, speeding maniacs, blithely wandering cattle and suicidal pedestrians, all weaving across a narrow, potholed strip of tarmac.

To minimise your risk of becoming a grim statistic, use trains instead of buses, use government bus services instead of private ones (which are more likely to force their drivers into inhuman shifts), use taxis instead of auto-rickshaws, avoid travelling at night, and don't hesitate to change taxis or cars if you feel your driver is unsafe. In fact, more than 70% of crashes are caused by overspeeding.

Penalties for cultivation, possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines and jail sentences. Detention during the investigation is common and can be lengthy. Smoking normal cigarettes is not banned, however, it is prohibited to import, possess or use e-cigarettes, vapourisers (vapes) and their refills. Opioids, synthetic stimulants, psychedelic and party drugs, and diverted pharmaceuticals are strictly banned and face intensive crackdowns, particularly in northern transit corridors, tourist hotspots and major cities.

Cannabis in the form of ganja (weed) and charas (hash) is illegal to consume, except the bhang bought from government-licensed shops. The law states that simple possession may mean fines or years in prison, depending on the quantity possessed.

Theft is quite common in places visited by tourists, but violent thefts hardly ever occur. More likely a thief will pickpocket or break into your room. Carry your cash, passport and cards in a secure money belt, with only enough cash for a few hours at a time in your wallet or other accessible place. Take precautions to firmly lock the door while indoors and be on guard while outside.

While travelling in public transport, do not accept any food or drink from any local fellow passenger even if they are very friendly or polite. There have been instances in which very friendly fellow passengers offered something like tea or coffee that contained substances that put the victim to sleep whilst all their possessions, including even their clothing, were stolen.

Chain-snatching is also common, where the thief snatches a gold or silver chain from a woman or man and runs away.

Stray dogs and cats can be found everywhere in India. Their behaviour can be anything from lying around not caring about people or aggressively barking at them. Sometimes they roam the streets in packs. Either way, it is best to stay away from them, even if they seem friendly. There are no countrywide rabies vaccination programmes for dogs in India, and you never know their health status. See Stay healthy for details.

Large groups of monkeys are present in several parts of India, including some urban regions. Monkeys can get aggressive and rapidly overwhelm travellers in their search for food. They can also steal your belongings. Be vigilant when in the presence of monkeys.

While hospitality is important in India, it is not common to see people offering to share food or cookies while they eat. Some such offers are genuine and some are not. If you are travelling by train and you are offered food by a family group, it is usually safe to take a bite. But if you are offered something by a group of men or even a couple, you should decline, even if they also eat it, as the part offered might be laced with sedatives. You can politely say no with a smile; those who offer food genuinely won't take it personally.

The sad truth is that women travellers in India, particularly those travelling solo, are often subjected to sexual harassment or worse. Delhi in particular is dubbed the "rape capital of the world". You can dial the women helpline at ☏ 181, ☏ 1090 or ☏ 1091. Sexual harassment cases, especially cases featuring foreigners will often be taken very seriously by police officers.

Women should avoid travelling to India alone if possible. However, if you really want to, here are some tips:

• Try to avoid being overly friendly and appreciative to Indian men; it could get them to think you are romantically interested in them. If a man and a woman are seen together or talk to each other quite often, locals may assume that there's something going on between them. Make it clear that you are friends or acquaintances; that will usually ward people off.
• "Eve-teasing" is a common term in India for anything from unwanted verbal advances to physical sexual assault. Anything overt should be treated in a firm manner and if needed, ask the local populace (women in particular) to try to get the message across. Avoid confrontation if at all possible. Sticking to such an area is not recommended. It's not disrespectful for a woman to tell a man eager to talk to her that she doesn't want to talk: so if a man's behaviour makes you uncomfortable, say so firmly. If he doesn't seem to get the hint, just quietly excuse yourself.
• Be particularly cautious in large urban areas like Delhi NCR at night. Cities in southern and western India are generally better, but still exercise caution. Exploring the Himalayas and the Northeast is usually as safe, if not even safer.
• It's not so safe to walk in isolated places, especially at night, and be cautious when taking a taxi or rickshaw. There have been cases of rape of women (both Indian and foreign), some of whom have been murdered, and a large number of rapes go unreported. The willingness to report rape has increased due to widespread media attention.
• Street parties during holidays are usually filled with crowds of inebriated men, and women can be subjected to groping and sexually aggressive behaviour from a certain section hiding in these crowds. In such an event, scream or make a scene pointing your finger at the person. People will come to your aid.
• Avoid staying at cheaper hotels unless you are travelling with a trusted male companion; hotel staff have been known to sexually harass female guests.

White and East Asian females may receive some extra attention from locals, usually in the form of stares, and many might even want to take photographs with you. Such cases happen mainly in rural areas, where the locals have had little to no contact with foreigners, but some may harass you. If so, don't be afraid to create a scene and don't feel the need to be polite.

Forced marriage affecting foreigners occurs, sometimes without the affected person's prior knowledge. Some foreigners have been forced into marital arrangements and have been detained by family against their will. They have been subjected to threats, intimidation and violence by family members. If you're in India and you believe that you're being forced to marry, contact local police immediately.

Body searches (such as at the airport) by officers of the opposite sex are not allowed in India. Airport security is sex segregated.

On passenger, suburban, metro and rapid rail trains, there are usually carriages reserved for women and designated as such on their front. In the Delhi Metro and Namo Bharat, it is the first compartment. On most buses (private and public) a few seats at the front or at one side of the bus are reserved for women. Usually, these seats will be occupied by men and, very often, they vacate the place when a female stands near gesturing her intention to sit there. In many parts of the country, women will not share a seat with a man other than her spouse. If you sit near a man, he may stand up from the seat and give his seat to you; this is a sign of respect, not rudeness.

While racially motivated violence is rare in India, travellers of certain ethnic or national descent may encounter prejudice from the police and general public.

• Travellers of African heritage may encounter prejudice due to the fact that more often than not, foreign drug peddlers in India are from Nigeria, and Indians find it hard to distinguish between Nigerians and other people of African descent, including the nativised Siddi people, so anyone who might appear to be African may be targeted. However, most Indians use "negro" with no intent to offend, as they aren't aware that the term is considered offensive in other parts of the world.
• Muslims of South Asian heritage may encounter prejudice due to India's negative relations with Pakistan, and they find it hard to distinguish between Pakistanis and other Muslims of South Asian descent, including some Indian Muslims, so anyone who might appear to be Pakistani may be targeted.
  • Travellers of Bengali or Rohingya heritage may also be targeted due to the issues of undocumented immigration from Bangladesh, and most Indians find it hard to distinguish between Bangladeshis and Rohingyas with the Bengalis from West Bengal due to similar language and culture.
• Travellers of East Asian heritage may encounter prejudice due to India's negative relations with China, and they find it hard to distinguish between Chinese and other people of East Asian descent, including ones from North-Eastern India, so anyone who might appear to be Chinese may be targeted. However, people from Japan and Korea will more likely be treated very well due to the popularity of anime, K-pop and K-drama in India.

Besides, India still has a considerable divide between Hindus and Muslims despite decades of effort to reduce religious prejudice. Hindu nationalists, in particular, express a degree of hostility towards Muslims, and fundamentalist Hindu mobs have even lynched Muslims as cattle smugglers. Christians of South Asian descent may also face some hostility from Hindu nationalists as "rice bags", based on allegations that they or their ancestors converted for material benefits like free rice.

In general, keep your passport handy at all times, avoid going to areas notorious for illegal activities, and maintain contact with their embassy and, if possible, with other support groups that can vouch for you

The weather in India can change significantly, and it is important to consider weather related hazards during your time of visit.

The monsoon is potentially the most hazardous. You may experience severe levels of rainfall, which can cause flash flooding on the coast and around rivers which are often heavily polluted. Waterlogging may also cause flooding in cities. Landslides are very common in hilly or mountainous regions and may affect road and rail travel. Extreme rainfall can also cause flights to be diverted, delayed or cancelled. Red alerts are common for rainfall during these seasons. Cloudbursts are also common.

Plan ahead before travelling to the Himalayas, as weather conditions can change rapidly from good to severe and may cause disruption. Extreme snowfall and blizzards may occur during winter (Dec–Feb), causing disruption to communication and transportation. Landslides are also common.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) provides up-to-date weather forecasts for different regions and may be helpful to get to know the weather of the place where you are going.

India spans several active seismic zones, and earthquakes can occur in many parts of the country. The most active region is the Himalayan belt, running from Jammu and Kashmir through Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand to Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. This long mountain arc is formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, making it one of the world’s most earthquake‑prone areas.

Strong earthquakes have struck here throughout history, and tremors are common, especially in hill towns and valleys. Large parts of northern and eastern India also experience shaking, with major cities such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow and Patna, often feeling tremors from the Himalayas, and the soft alluvial soil can intensify the shaking. Northeast India is another major hotspot, influenced by the interaction of several tectonic plates.

Assam and the surrounding states have recorded some of the strongest earthquakes in modern times. Western India has its own seismic risks. The Kutch region in Gujarat is known for intraplate earthquakes, including the destructive Bhuj quake of 2001. Parts of Maharashtra and Rajasthan also experience occasional tremors. In the east, areas near the Arakan–Yoma range, especially in Mizoram and Tripura, are affected by tectonic movement along the Burmese arc.

India’s long coastline also faces the possibility of tsunamis, especially after major offshore earthquakes in the Indian Ocean or volcanic eruptions in Southeast Asia, such as happened in 2004. The eastern coast – Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha – is the most exposed. If you are near the shore and feel strong or prolonged shaking, move to higher ground immediately as a precaution. If there is installed tsunami warning systems follow those.

Volcanic activity is rare, but travellers visiting Barren Island in the Andamans should stay alert to official advisories, as access is restricted during periods of unrest. Boats are required to keep a safe distance from the island, and eruptions can release ash or gases that make the surrounding waters hazardous. Follow local guidance, avoid approaching restricted zones, and rely on licensed operators who monitor conditions closely.

Many streets and bazaars are jam-packed with people, vehicles and stray animals. If you ever travel the cheapest class in public transport, it will also get packed a lot, which might be exhausting.

Cities are generally quite noisy. Drivers lean on horns, and radios and TVs blare film tracks. Even temples, mosques and churches use loudspeakers to spread their message. The function of using the horn while driving is to make yourself noticed to the other drivers or to pedestrians — Indians will often enter the road without looking right or left, they will just expect someone to sound the horn if there is danger.

While non-citizens may attend protests in India, many governments advise against attending protests in any foreign country. Foreigners who have participated in demonstrations, including those with OCI cards, could face detention and deportation by immigration officers. Taking part in protests may lead to visas being revoked, and some OCI cards have also been revoked by the Ministry of External Affairs for so-called "anti-national activities".

Protests may disrupt traffic, public transport and walking routes, and may cause businesses and transport hubs to close suddenly. Some protests have turned violent.

The age of sexual consent is 18 in India, the same as the age of majority. Pornography is illegal in all forms.

Although homosexuality is legal since 2018, tolerance towards gay and lesbian people vary in India. See the LGBT section below for details.

Indians have rather conservative views regarding prostitution. Brothels of any kind are illegal and it's against the law to loiter or solicit sex on the street. 'Kerb-crawling' (driving close to a pavement to ask prostitutes for sex) is also banned and is actively monitored for by police patrols across the country. Police also undertake regular crackdowns against gangs and individuals that use trafficked individuals in prostitution rackets.

If there is a terrorist or military incident in India, as a rule of thumb, stay away from border regions unless absolutely necessary. If in doubt call the Indian government's Anti Terror Helpline at ☏ 1090.

India’s geopolitical tensions with Pakistan and China occasionally affect travel, particularly in regions close to disputed borders.

The conflict with Pakistan, simmering for decades, has manifested in terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and major Indian cities. Some of them are focused on tourists, such as the 26/11 attacks at Mumbai in 2008 and the one at Pahalgam in 2025. There is little you can do to avoid such random attacks, and the risk of getting hit is small, but keep an eye on the national news and any travel advisories from your embassy.

• Most high-profile attacks have been concentrated into cross-border terrorism from Pakistan in J&K by groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and their offshoots, particularly targeting non-Muslims.
• India and Pakistan maintain a heavily militarised border. Many countries advise against all travel within 10 km (6.2 mi) of the border, which is unmarked in parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• There are sporadic exchanges of fire, air strikes, and drones along the Line of Control in Kashmir, and conditions can change rapidly during periods of heightened tension. Airspace closures and transport disruptions have occurred during past escalations.

India’s relationship with China is generally stable but marked by periodic standoffs along the high‑altitude Line of Actual Control, particularly in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Sikkim. These regions are remote, tightly controlled by the military, and often subject to sudden access restrictions. Although foreign tourists are rarely directly affected, border incidents can lead to increased security measures, temporary closures, or travel permit limitations. Visitors planning trips to border regions should stay informed, follow local regulations, and be prepared for unexpected changes to itineraries.

There were insurgencies conducted by militant groups across India in the late 20th century, targeting Indian military convoys and local groups in central, eastern and north-eastern India, as well as in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab. Although such insurgencies have died down by the mid-2010s, there has been some sporadic violence in the 2020s, particularly in the state of Manipur. A few countries advise caution travelling to areas affected by insurgencies. Although it's very unlikely for foreigners to be targeted here, it's better to err on the side of caution and avoid forested and remote areas or political rallies.

Going to India, you have to adapt to a different climate and food. However, with precautions the chance and severity of any illness can be minimised. Don't stress yourself too much at the beginning of your journey to allow your body to acclimatise to the country. For example, take a day of rest upon arrival, at least on your first visit. Many travellers get ill for wanting to do too much in too little time. Be careful with spicy food if you're not used to it.

For medical emergency, dial the general helpline at ☏ 112, or the medical helpline at ☏ 102 or ☏ 108. You can also go (or be taken to) the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

The level of medical care in India varies widely. Public hospitals are free for Indian residents, but they tend to be unsanitary, overcrowded, understaffed and underequipped.

Private hospitals, on the other hand, are usually of an excellent standard and among the best in the world, making India a popular destination for medical tourism. Large corporate hospital chains like Apollo, Manipal, Fortis, Max, Narayana ^{[dead link]} and similar places are your best bet for emergency medical care in larger cities, and they have better hygiene and generally well-trained doctors, some from UK and US institutions. The downside is that they are much more expensive than public hospitals, though still reasonably priced by Western standards. Many private hospitals accept international health insurance; check with the hospital before you go. Virtually all Indian doctors speak English fluently and are highly qualified.

For smaller ailments, private medical practices are common throughout the country and are readily more accessible than hospitals. Hotels can also arrange a doctor to come visit, at a price of course. For travel vaccinations, visit the International Society for Travel Medicine to find travel health clinics.

Alternative medical systems like Ayurveda, homoeopathy, naturopathy and Unani are popular in India in addition to modern medicine, which is often called "allopathy" in common parlance.

Pharmacies are found nationwide, even in small villages. They are generally marked with a cross symbol and often labelled "chemist & druggist". Nationwide pharmacy chains include Apollo Pharmacy, Frank Ross, MedPlus and Tata 1mg.

There are also Jan Aushadhi (Public Medicine) outlets selling generics, which are cheaper than the branded drugs of same quality. However, they generally don't cater to ICU or cancer therapeutics.

Air pollution is a major problem in India, especially during autumn and winter (Oct–Feb) when farmers burning fields, coal and dung fires for heating and lack of rain and wind combine to blanket the entire Plains in toxic murk. Delhi, in particular, has ranked the most polluted capital in the world every year since 2015, with an average AQI of nearly 100. In addition to being a health hazard, flights are often delayed or cancelled when visibility drops to near-zero. If you have asthma or other respiratory health conditions, carry enough medication as dust, pollen or pollution may cause trouble.

Check the air quality of a city before visiting, or if you're already there, venturing out. You can check air quality for any Indian city at AQI.in or MSN Weather. N95 masks that filter out small particulate matter (labeled PM2.5) can help you breathe more easily in bad air; they are often available at pharmacies. Some lodging options in large cities provide an air purifier.

While Indian food is often freshly prepared with fresh fruits and fresh vegetables, it doesn't mean it is automatically healthy. Restaurants often use ready-made sauces and ingredients containing questionable additives and preservatives — not to mention that standard tomato sauce will barely ever contain much tomato, but carrot pulp instead. So, while in the past, Indian food was probably one of the best in the world, commercialisation in the food industry and lax regulation in the agricultural industry have done their parts in making it a doubtful adventure and one should be cautious.

Everything that can be peeled such as apples and bananas, as well as packaged snacks, are always a safe option. Wash any fruit with uncontaminated water and soap before eating it, even if you peel it — while peeling, touching the skin could still deliver bacteria onto the inner fruit. Also avoid cold food from shelves (samosa, sweets, etc.) that is directly touched prepared and handed out. Most Indians don't use soap, and simply water seems to be their magic cure. In general, the regulation of the use of pesticides is very lax in India, because farmers have a high standing in Indian society — they are often the means for political campaigns. So, the underlying quality of fruits and vegetables is doubtful, even if locals claim them to be "green" — they often don't understand the meaning of "green".

With some fruits, you will even notice a weird side taste, like tangerines. It is often doubtful where and how they were grown — it might have been next to a large landfill, and you wouldn't know. Also, you may notice the dirtiness of Indian bodies of water — this is the very same water that is used to water fruit and vegetable plants in the Indian plains. Fruits and vegetables from more hilly or mountainous regions are probably safe from that latter problem.

Tap water is normally not safe for drinking, and it is not even safe to brush your teeth with tap water for most foreigners. In general, stick to bottled water, popularly called "mineral water". Make sure that the cap's seal has not been broken; otherwise, it is a tell-tale sign of tampering or that unscrupulous vendors reuse old bottles and fill them with tap water.

Bottled water brands like Aquafina (by PepsiCo) and Kinley (by Coca-Cola) are widely available. Local brands like Bisleri, Himalayan, Bailley, Evian, Patanjali, Tata and Nestle are reputed brands as well. In railway stations, a low-priced mineral water brand of Indian Railways is generally available, known as "Rail Neer". Taste may vary due to the individual brands' mineral contents. In semi-urban or rural areas, it may be appropriate to ask for boiled water as well.

Some establishments also have water filters/purifiers installed, such as many temples, in which case the water should be safe to drink from them. Also, the water in the mountains is generally clean, just ask your accommodation staff.

Dirt, refuse and insects abound in urban areas, despite initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) aiming to clean up the country. The roadside can sometimes be a urinal, or even an art of gutka (chewing tobacco) spits. Roads are also often dusty because the asphalt is missing in some parts, so if travelling by bus, be quick in closing the window if it is the right time. People often use waterways as garbage dumps, and it would be unwise to swim in most rivers and downright senseless in a lake.

Diarrhoea, often called loose motion in India, is common and can have many different causes. Here are some tips for avoiding Delhi belly:

• Go vegetarian — At least for the first week or two. Meat spoils quickly.
• Avoid raw leafy vegetables — They are hard to clean properly.
• Avoid ice and unbottled water — Both the water in it and the way it's transported are suspect. Try to use only commercially available sealed bottled water.
• Wash hands before eating — Always use soap or hand sanitiser, otherwise the dirt of India's streets will find its way onto your chapatis and into your mouth. In addition, keep nails cut short and clean. That of course will not prevent a food vendor touching your food, so think twice which kind of meal you decide for. In any case, you can always watch how food is prepared. Indians mostly never use soap; plain water seems to be their "magic cure".
• Prefer metal dishes and cups — Stainless steel is more germ-resistant than plastic. So, any restaurant with stainless cutlery, dishes, cups and water container is safer than one with plastic cups and water container, or one-time use dishes.
• Be cautious around street food — Street food can often be made unhygienically, and it is a cause of "Delhi belly".

In addition, dehydration brings along dizziness and concentration issues, sometimes muscle and joint pain. Dehydration doesn't just mean a lack of water, but also a lack of necessary minerals the body needs to function. It can be caused by an unbalanced diet, the wrong drinking water or even exhaustive hiking and travelling. Filtered and purified water (e.g. from temples) often has the disadvantage of the necessary minerals also being filtered out. Therefore, it's best to bring a standard first-aid kit, plus extra over-the-counter medicine for diarrhoea and stomach upset. A rehydration kit can also be helpful, rehydration solution is widely available at pharmacies for about ₹25 per pack for 1L of water. In case it is not available, remember the salt/sugar/water ratio for oral rehydration: 1 tsp salt, 8 tsp sugar, for 1L of water — however this will still lack some other minerals, so the rehydration packs from the pharmacy are best. Also, in case you are consuming local drinking water from the tap (in mountain areas) or in restaurants, if your body shows signs of dehydration, it is better to get bottled water from the shop — they have minerals added.

Indians often have resistance to native bacteria and parasites that visitors do not have. If you have had serious diarrhoea for more than a day or two, it is best to visit a private hospital. Parasites such as Giardia are a common cause of diarrhoea, and may not get better without treatment. Instead of drinking water while having diarrhoea, some people trust in Coke as a quick treatment. And in some cases it seems to prevent further fluid loss in small amounts.

If travelling to the Himalayan North, Sikkim or Arunachal Pradesh, even at altitudes as low as 2,500 m (8,200 ft), you may experience altitude sickness, which can be lethal. Be aware of this before embarking on expeditions in the mountains. If you suffer palpitations, shortness of breath or severe headaches, inform your guide and head to a lower altitude immediately.

Altitude sickness is a great danger for high-altitude mountaineering above 4,000–5,000 m (13,000–16,000 ft), a moderate danger for mountain sports (such as skiing at 3,000–4,000 m (9,800–13,100 ft) in Gulmarg), and a moderate danger when flying into a high-altitude city around 3,500 m (11,500 ft) like Leh, directly flying from sea level poses a greater than 70% risk of AMS. It is important you take the appropriate cautions like acclimatisation at regular intervals as you increase in altitude.

There are other risks at altitude that are covered in other articles. It may get very cold; see Cold weather. You may get dehydrated because water evaporates faster at lower air pressure; see Dehydration. There may be danger from strong sun because there is less atmosphere above to protect you; see Sunburn and sun protection.

As a largely tropical country, India is home to various mosquito-borne diseases. The CDC states that the risk exists in all areas except at very high altitudes (usually above 1,500 m (4,900 ft)), in deserts and during colder seasons in some areas. Get expert advice on mosquito-borne illness preventatives and take adequate precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

One way to combat such diseases is to choose lodgings with air conditioning and sealed windows. Use a mosquito repellent containing DEET when going outside (particularly during the evenings) and also when sleeping in trains and hotels without air conditioning. Odomos is a popular mosquito repellent brand, and is available over the counter at most pharmacies. You can also consider Permethrin-treated fabrics.

• Malaria is transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes. Its symptoms can be very similar to a cold or flu; however, if you don't have any fever but still feel dizzy and have muscle and joint pain, it could also just be a case of dehydration — see above.
• Dengue (pronounced DEN-goo in most Indian languages) is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Causes high fever, headache, joint and muscle pain, and in some cases even death.
• Chikungunya is also transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. Its symptoms can be very similar to a cold or flu for 3-12 days.
• Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes as well. It is linked with birth defects in infected pregnant women.

It is very important to stay away from stray dogs in India, as the country has the highest rate of rabies (hydrophobia) in the world. If you are bitten, even if it's "just a scratch", get to a nearby hospital as soon as possible, as you will die if you wait until symptoms appear. It is very important to get the rabies vaccine within 24 hr of any contact with animals, including contact with saliva or blood. Rabies vaccines only work if the full course is given prior to symptoms. The disease is almost invariably fatal otherwise.

If you venture to forests in India, you may encounter venomous snakes. If bitten, try to note the markings of the snake so that the snake can be identified and the correct antidote given. In any event, immediately seek medical care.

Although widely available in some Indian states, moonshine drinks are made illegally and may contain harmful impurities like fusel alcohols, lead from plumbing solder, and toxic methanol. There have been reports of deaths by methanol poisoning due to the consumption of moonshine liquor.

Indians, by and large, are neutral communicators. Although Indians try to be respectful and courteous in social situations, words are often taken at face value. It's important to be explicitly clear and upfront about what you intend to say as euphemisms, idiomatic language, and the like may be misunderstood.

In India, it is customary to use formal honorifics with people you are not close to or who are senior to you, like "sir" for men and "madam" or "ma'am" for women.

Outside larger cities, it is unusual for people of the opposite sex to touch each other. Even couples (married or otherwise) refrain from public displays of affection. Therefore, it is advised that you do not shake hands with a person of the opposite sex unless the other person extends their hand first.

The usual Hindu greeting is to bring their palms together in front of their chest, or verbal greetings like namaste, namaskār or namaskāram. Muslims will greet with salām alaikum (peace be upon you), and the usual response is wālekum assalām (and upon you be peace). Other verbal greetings include sat shrī akāl (Sikh), vaṇakkam (Tamil) and khurumjari (Meitei). All are equally polite and correct if a little formal.

Almost all people will understand "hi", "hello" or "hey", even if they don't know much English. In urban areas, it's quite acceptable to offer a "hello" or "good day", followed by a handshake or, for close friends, a hug.

Direct personal questions (based on your personal life, salary, education and lifestyle) are commonly asked. To Indians, it's not considered impolite, but rather it's a way to get to know someone fully. In some cases, you may find others giving you advice on whatever it is you're doing, either warranted or unwarranted. Don't feel annoyed or irritated by this as Indians don't intend to patronise or pull you down in any way. If you feel the question was too personal, simply give an indirect answer and move along.

Also, some Indians will come up with topics like Hitler, Aryans and other weird stuff — while half of the time this is uneducated and innocent interest, the other half of the time they will know exactly what they are talking about and it is best not to engage on such topics or to make your position very clear.

Indians respect their elders and it would be seen as rude to directly challenge a statement said by someone older than you. You should always try to address people you don't know as 'sir' or 'ma'am', especially if they're older than you, and always act in a mature, sensible fashion around them.

Families tend to be close-knit, and family values are highly revered by many Indians. Tread very carefully if you have Indian roots, even if you were born and raised overseas, or if you are in an intimate relationship with an Indian person: You're often expected to align your views with your or their family, and not doing so would result in you being shunned. Passing unwarranted comments about someone's family life won't win you friends or praise.

Saving face is a major value in Indian culture. To be polite you should avoid pointing out other people's mistakes or voicing disagreement with someone in public. Doing so can cause a severe blow to another person's reputation, and so to avoid doing so and causing embarrassment, ignore small mistakes. If you must point out someone else's mistake do so in a private setting, and as politely as applicable to the situation.

Indians will consider themselves obliged to go out of the way to fulfil a guest's request and will insist very strongly that it is no inconvenience to do so, even if it is not true. This of course means that there is a reciprocal obligation on you as a guest to take extra care not to be a burden.

As India has great diversity, people follow different religions, the largest being of course Hinduism.

• Take off your shoes when visiting a temple, mosque or someone's home.
• The left hand is considered unclean in both Hinduism and Islam. Be sure to handle sacred objects and perform religious rituals using only your right hand.
• Christians are a minority in India, but going to church and following your faith are always appreciated. There are different denominations and they differ in their practices.

It is disrespectful to touch people or things with your feet. If done accidentally, you will find that Indians will make a quick gesture of apology that involves touching the offended person or thing with the right hand, and then moving the hand to the chest and to the eyes. It is a good idea to emulate that.

• Books and written materials are treated with respect, as they are treated as concrete/physical forms of Sarasvati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge.
• Anything associated with wealth is treated with respect as it is treated as a concrete/physical form of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth.
• The head is considered to be the holiest part of the body, so avoid touching people on the head, including young children, as this is very offensive to Hindus.

Note dietary restrictions when inviting Indian friends for a meal. Pork is forbidden to Muslims, while beef is considered a taboo to Hindus. However, beef and buff (buffalo meat) are consumed liberally by Christians and Muslims in states like Kerala.

Contrary to popular belief, India is not a vegetarian nation. However, vegetarians are a very large minority in India, comprising 20-30% of the population, including Jains and some Brahmin sects. States like Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan are majority vegetarian. Some ardently religious groups and people often try to demonise people eating eggs and meat. Many of the more well-aware Indians feel it as a part of a concerted attempt to codify a monolithic idea of Indian culture and do not like it. If visiting someone's house, it's always wise to ask what they don't eat beforehand. Do not impose your food preferences upon anyone; it is frowned upon.

Whereas Indian men can be really eager to talk to foreigners, many women avoid interacting with men outside their own families. If you are a man and approach a woman even for an innocuous purpose like asking for directions, you are usually putting her on the defensive, especially if she is dressed traditionally. It is best to ask a man if one is available (there usually will be) or be extra respectful if you really need to ask a woman. However, in Ladakh, the relation between genders is much more equal and nobody will bat an eyelid if you ask a woman for directions.

Indian women generally dress conservatively, although in larger cities more liberal attire can be seen. Tank tops, miniskirts and other revealing or tight-fitting clothing can attract unwanted attention. Dressing in traditional Indian clothes, such as salwaar kameez (comfortable) or saree (more formal and difficult to wear) will often garner Western women more respect in the eyes of locals. The idea is to portray yourself as a normal person, instead of a distanced tourist. Easy clothing is to wear a kurta paired up with jeans or a salwar. They are very comfortable and most women do the same.

Bikinis are acceptable at tourist-oriented beaches, but not at those primarily visited by locals. Wearing one beyond the beach is inappropriate no matter where you are. There are a few beaches where women (mostly foreigners) sunbathe topless but make sure that it is safe and accepted before you do so.

Befriending Indian women can be a wonderful experience for female visitors, although you might have to initiate conversation. An easy topic to get things going is to talk about clothes or food.

Tolerance towards gay and lesbian people vary in India. Homosexuality has been legal since 2018 and there have been movements to legalise same-sex marriage. There are many pride parades across India's major cities, and some restaurants and bars in the major cities are targeted at the LGBT community. However, many Indians still have conservative opinions on homosexuality and do not fully understand it, though some have a "live and let live" attitude.

The foolproof approach is not to reveal your sexuality in public as you may invite unwanted comments or stares.

Heterosexual Indian men often walk hand-in-hand in the streets; don't take this as a sign of anything but friendship.

India is also home to the hijra community for centuries, which consists of transgender and intersex people as well as eunuchs. Despite the legal recognition of non-binary gender, hijras continue to face much discrimination in India.

Indians tend to have a strong sense of national pride, in part due to the success enjoyed by the Indian diaspora abroad, such as Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. If you have Indian roots, even if you were born and raised overseas, be careful with divulging your opinions on the country and its culture: some may expect you to follow Indian norms and nuances and won't take kindly to negative feedback.

Many Indian states and union territories have their own separate identities, cultures and languages. Like national pride, many Indians also have a strong sense of regional pride, again in part due to the success enjoyed by people from their states within India and abroad. They may take offence at not respecting their unique cultures and languages.

North-Eastern India in particular has a plethora of distinctive languages and cultures that set it apart from the mainland, and the various tribes are fiercely keen on promoting their cultural distinctions.

Indians have a breadth of opinions on politics, religion and history, and there have been instances of foreigners being detained due to comments made on controversial topics, either in person or on social media. As always, it is better to listen than to express firm opinions, and tread carefully if you have to.

Indians, in general, are ardently political, and politics is a very popular conversational subject amongst many Indians. It is recommended to not identify with any political ideology, especially ones that are highly controversial, as this can elicit strong reactions from the government.

The Partition of India and the Kashmir conflict are highly emotional subjects that can very quickly elicit strong reactions from Indians. Unless you want to start an argument, these are all topics best avoided in your conversations with locals; at any rate, your personal opinions will probably not be welcomed.

Also, try to avoid saying anything that could be perceived as positive about Pakistan or China, as India's diplomatic relationship with both countries is tense. Some Chinese products are illegal to possess in India, and the mere sight of Chinese products can evoke a strong response from some Indians.

Some people in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and North-Eastern India are sympathetic to full autonomy or secession from India. Whilst nowhere near as sensitive or divisive as in other parts of the world, try not to bring up such subjects. In particular, avoid topics like Khalistan and Indira Gandhi in Punjab completely, as there are various opposing views which can get fired up.

Attitudes towards religion varies significantly. People from southern India and West Bengal are generally liberal and open-minded. But those from northern and western India can have rigid, radical viewpoints, with Hindu nationalism seeing growing support in recent decades. It's not considered impolite to discuss your religious convictions with someone; for the most part, many Indians are open talking about it. But do not impose your religious beliefs upon someone, and anything hinting at proselytisation will not be appreciated.

The swastika is an ancient religious symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, as it symbolises prosperity and good luck. It's also fairly common for Indian parents to name their sons "Swastik" and daughters "Swastika". Drawing parallels between the swastika and Nazism will not be appreciated and is considered cultural appropriation. Jewish people have lived in India for hundreds of years and have never faced any significant antisemitism. Rather, Hindu nationalists tend to have positive opinions of them, as they consider Jews and Indians as the only nations to preserve their age-old cultures.

Many Hindu nationalists also consider Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism to be branches of Hinduism, and are of the view that Hinduism is not a religion but just the law of the universe. You may also encounter factoids like "NASA uses Sanskrit for coding" or "Newton just copied/plagiarised the discoveries of Bhaskara", many of which are believed to have originated from WhatsApp posts.

Be careful when discussing the caste system and reservation (affirmative action). Brahmins often decry caste-based reservations in job and education and prefer merit-based selection. Whereas Dalits and Adivasi are proud of anti-caste personalities like B.R. Ambedkar, Periyar E.V. Ramasamy and Mayawati. Hindu nationalists, on the other hand, often deny the existence of such a system, and instead insist that it was fabricated by the British for racist reasons. They might tell you that what Westerners call castes were really just occupations.

Atheism is not taboo in India. This said, you should be careful when discussing religion with those who have rigid, radical viewpoints; some atheists in India have been attacked by radical groups for openly criticising religion.

Indian civilisation has a very rich history, and there is much debate over which past figures, periods, and events, if any, should be revered and which should be learnt from or regarded with shame. Many are proud of the "freedom fighters" who had participated in the independence movement and may also convey bitterness against the British Empire. Some may even let this reflect on their view of people from the United Kingdom. Winston Churchill is widely regarded as a villain in India due to his role in the 1943 Bengal famine. Nevertheless, India and the UK enjoy a positive relationship, and Indians are the largest immigrant group in the UK.

Also, tread carefully when discussing the history of Muslim rule in India, particularly the Mughal Empire. Many devout Hindus and Sikhs consider Muslim rulers to have been foreign occupiers akin to the British, whilst Muslim communities see Mughals as a model nation. Conversely, you can discuss the resistance of Maharana Pratap, Shivaji or Sikh gurus against the Mughals with Hindus and Sikhs, but it may come off wrong to discuss them with Muslims.

The country code for India is +91. The first part of the phone number is the STD code (Subscriber Trunk Dialing), which domestically is always written with a leading 0, so that a Kolkata phone number would be written as '033 xxxx xxxx'. For ISD (International Subscriber Dialing), it would be written '+91 33 xxxx-xxxx', since the leading 0 is only used when calling from inside India. STD codes have two digits for tier-1 cities (Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune), three digits for tier-2 cities and four digits for other places.

• Local phone numbers can be anywhere from 6-8 digits long. But when the STD code is included, all landline phone numbers in India are 10 digits long. Mobile phone numbers are always 10 digits long and usually start with '9', '8', '7' or '6'.
• When calling India from overseas, dial your international access code (00 from most of Europe, 011 from the U.S. and Canada or '+' from any mobile phone), followed by 91 (India's country code), followed by the rest of the number. If the number is shown with a leading 0 at the beginning of the area code, omit the 0.
• When calling an Indian phone from any other Indian phone, dial the entire phone number, beginning with the leading 0. If the number is in international format, omit the '+91' and dial 0 followed by the rest of the number. If calling from a landline to another landline within the same STD code, the code can usually be omitted.
• For calls from a mobile phone, dial the entire phone number beginning with the leading 0, or dial the phone number in international format (starting with '+91').
• To phone another country from India, dial 00 followed by the country code and phone number. Calling the Canada/UK/US over the normal telephone line will cost you about ₹7.20 per minute. Calls to other countries, particularly to the Middle East, can be more expensive.

Toll-free numbers start with 1-800, but are usually operator-dependent: you can't call a BSNL toll-free number from an Airtel landline, and vice versa. Often, the numbers may not work from your mobile phone. Other National Numbers that start with 18xx or 19xx may attract special charges.

Payphones or PCOs (public call offices) are now increasingly rare with the ubiquitous availability of mobile phones. Where they exist, they are usually staffed, and you dial yourself but pay to the attendant after the call is over. Metering is done per pulse and a service charge of ₹2 is added to the bill. Larger cities also have Western-style unmanned public phones, which are usually red in colour and accept one-rupee coins.

Jio, Airtel, Vi, and BSNL provide telecom services to the whole of India. Jio has the best coverage throughout the country and Airtel is somewhat behind. Since providers are state-specific, you need to activate roaming, so you can stay connected with the same provider if being in a different state than from where you got the SIM card. No extra costs apply for this kind of roaming within India.

Mobile internet is very cheap, especially with the proliferation of low-cost operator Jio, which has forced the mainstream operators such as Airtel and Vi to follow suit. To make calls, send text, or use data, you will always require a (monthly) package or validity plan. Packages start at ₹299 for 28 days, e.g. Jio with 1.5GB/day data, unlimited calls, and 100 SMS. With Airtel the same package was around ₹349 with 2GB/day. All operators provide unlimited domestic phone calls with their packages.

Calling overseas can cost quite a bit and will depend on the location you are calling to. In contrast, the other way round (calling to India from elsewhere) is cheap.

WhatsApp is the main messaging gateway. SMS is only used for things like one-time passwords (OTPs) or contract information.

Every Indian SIM card requires KYC (know your customer) documentation backed by Aadhaar or government ID, and mobile stores generally refuse to sell SIM cards to anyone without such an ID, including foreign nationals. However, you may find an Indian resident or hotel employee willing to buy one under their name if suitably motivated (i.e. rupees). To get a SIM card alone as a foreigner, you are recommended to visit the telecom operator's exclusive store.

If you travel to Jammu and Kashmir or Ladakh with a prepaid SIM issued anywhere else in India (like Delhi or Mumbai), your phone will immediately lose network. Only postpaid SIMs or locally purchased tourist SIMs work here. For any other state, your normal prepaid roaming will function perfectly fine.

Public Wi-Fi in India is, for the most part, limited.

• Delhi, Bengaluru, Pune and Mumbai are the only cities with decent public Wi-Fi coverage.
• All airports and railway stations offer free high-speed Wi-Fi.
• Many free Wi-Fi services will require entering a one-time password (OTP) sent to an Indian cell phone number and are usually operated by Airtel or Jio.

Internet cafés are common and they charge as little as ₹10–20/hr. Many will ask for your passport or ID. Beware of using your credit cards online as there have been many cases of credit cards thefts using keyloggers.

Public libraries have PCs with broadband for public use. Most libraries require a membership, but government-operated libraries only require a quick registration with the verification of your ID.

4G (LTE and VoLTE) mobile coverage is near-universal with around 95% outdoor coverage (by population). 5G networks cover 85% of the population. 3G is available only in some remote locations where BSNL network is available, though 2G is still available in most locations.

Internet censorship in India is considered 'selective'. There are some arbitrary attempts by central and state governments to block the sites they consider propagandic, but the enforcement is spotty and the decisions are often forgotten. However, the sites blocked by court orders remain blocked, which is different from vague government blocks. For travellers, the most important sites blocked in India are Chinese apps like TikTok and WeChat. In addition, major Pakistani websites, channels and accounts have been blocked on social media and on the internet. However, you may use a VPN to access other servers.

Addressing mail with a properly formatted address will expedite its journey with government owned India Post.

First class mail travels by air within India. International first-class mail has a maximum limit of 20 kg. Prices vary from country to country. A full list related to the pricing can be found in India Post's website. Military mail is operated by the Army Postal Service through its APOs and FPOs. The rate for domestic post is ₹15/50 g.

Private international courier companies like FedEx, DHL and UPS also operate though all major cities.

Indian addresses generally follow the following format:

Recipient name

House number and street name

Locality or landmark (optional)

Town and PIN code

For example:

United Nations House
55/73 Lodhi Estate
New Delhi-110003

Every postal address has a 6-digit PIN code (postal index number), which identifies the post office of a district. You can look up post offices by state and district on the India Post website. Most internet mapping services enable locations to be found by PIN code. A 4-digit post box number (recommended but optional) may narrow this to one business or an individual building.

The electricity supply runs at 230 V, 50 Hz AC. Visitors from countries such as the U.S. and Canada, where the voltage supply runs at 110 V 60 Hz, may need a voltage converter. Many appliances needed whilst travelling (such as laptop chargers, shavers and the like) are designed to run off both voltages.

Indian plugs and sockets, made to the British Standard 546 and upgraded to the Indian Standard 1293, have three round, cylindrical pins which form a triangle. These are Type D, as also used in Namibia, Nepal and Bhutan. Avoid using a thin Europlug (with no earth pins) into such sockets unless they contain an extra pair of holes for Europlug at the middle. Electronics shops and e-commerce platforms sell plug adapters for Europlug compatibility.

New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai have international consular assistance which include high commissions, embassies and consulates. More information can be found in respective city articles.

Christian visitors looking to attend religious services generally have no problem locating a house of worship, even in small towns. However, some churches hold views that can be controversial, including hate towards certain groups. You may want to check before visiting.

Buddhist travellers can find monasteries and pagodas in Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh and Sikkim, as well as in mainland India with significant Buddhist presence, like Delhi (Tibetan Buddhists) and Maharashtra (Ambedkarite Buddhists). Besides, Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar and Sarnath are obvious Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

For travellers of other minority faiths, your success in finding a house of worship varies. Jews will have very little difficulty finding a synagogue in Kochi, Kolkata or Mumbai.

Doordarshan (DD) is India's state broadcasting network. Other than that, there are multiple English news channels like ANI (Asian News International), CNN-News18, India Today, NDTV, Republic TV, Times Now and WION. Impartiality varies between news channels, and some media are accused to be biased towards the union government (so-called "Godi media").

You can also check out foreign news channels like ABC Australia, Al Jazeera English, BBC (World Service), CNN (International South Asia), Deutsche Welle and France 24. They are usually impartial.

There are also news channels in Hindi and other regional languages if you are looking to learn respective tongues. Languages other than Hindi tend to cover local affairs of their respective state.

Sports can be viewed live on DD Sport, Eurosport, Sony Sports Network^{[dead link]}, Star Sports and Unite8 Sports.

These channels can be found on TV using networks such as Tata Play, Airtel XStream and JioHome. JioHotstar, ZEE5, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix India are also available for streaming.

English newspapers can be handy and reliable sources for day-to-day updates about the country. Some of the major newspapers are Daily News and Analysis, Deccan Herald, The Free Press Journal, The Hindu, Hindustan Times, Indian Express, The Statesman, The Telegraph, The Times of India, The Tribune and many more. For business updates, check Business Standard, Economic Times.

Some popular magazines are Filmfare, Down to Earth, India Today, Forbes India and Vogue.

There are also local regional newspapers which are either often in English or the local regional language. This depends on which states you go to.

Radio has historically been a major part of the lives of Indians. During travel, you might switch on the radio for entertainment, and many radio stations are available across India. In rural areas, or impoverished areas, people might switch on the radio for news broadcasts and entertainment. Previously, radio was state-owned with All India Radio (AIR) being the only broadcaster offering multiple channels; however, private and regional radio stations have now been made available.

• AIR FM Rainbow offers hourly news broadcasts at 102.6MHz.
• AIR FM Gold offers hourly news broadcasts at 100.1MHz.
• Radio One^{[dead link]} offers modern and retro song broadcasts at 94.3MHz.
• Radio City is known for its blend of Hindi and regional music, India's first private broadcaster at 91.1MHz.
• Red FM^{[dead link]} offers public talks and entertainment at 93.5MHz.
• Radio Mirchi maintains weekly music charts, or record charts, for India. Features Bollywood hits at 98.3MHz.

There are also many regional radio stations on their respective frequencies.

Given tense relations with Pakistan, it's effectively impossible for travellers to visit Pakistan from India, but it is worth visiting next if you want to compare the two countries. However, there are other neighbouring countries to explore nearby.

• The Maldives — popular among upper-class Indians, the islands are home to gorgeous beaches.
• Nepal — home to Mount Everest and Buddha's birthplace Lumbini. Nepal is closely related to India culturally, and there are Nepal-bound buses from Delhi, Kolkata and Siliguri.
• Bhutan — the thunder dragon kingdom nestled in the Himalayas, is a Buddhist kingdom closely related to the Indian state of Sikkim. Excellent trekking opportunities and quite a few Indian tourists visit.
• Sri Lanka — less explored by Indian tourists, the island is home to stunning beaches, rugged mountains, scenic rail journeys, delicious food, safaris, and ancient monuments.
• Bangladesh — the Muslim-majority eastern part of Bengal is its own country. It features stunning mangrove forests and serene jungles.
• Tibet — popular among Kailash Manasarovar pilgrims via Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. Also very spiritually and culturally connected to the Himalayan North and the North East.

You can also visit Southeast Asia to explore the influence of Indian civilisation in that region. Central Asia and the Middle East also share cultural similarities with and have traded influence with India; they are excellent regions to visit next.