India At a Glance

India is the largest democracy in the world, the seventh largest country and the second most populous. India is a picture of diversity seen in her people, culture, colorful festivals, dress and costumes, religions, flora and fauna and varying landscapes. India's history dates back to the Indus Valley civilization of About 2500-1700 BC

India is located in south Asia and is often called a subcontinent. The Himalayan ranges crown the northern boundary of India. India is bounded on the north by Afghanistan, China, Nepal, and Bhutan; on the east by Bangladesh, Myanmar (formerly known as Burma), and the Bay of Bengal; on the south by the Palk Strait and the Gulf of Mannar (which separates it from Sri Lanka) and the Indian Ocean; and on the west by the Arabian Sea and Pakistan. India is divided into 28 states (three of which are recently formed) and 7 Union Territories. New Delhi is the capital of India and one of its largest cities.

General Information

Population	846 million (1991 Census)
Area	3.3 million square kilometers
Geographical location	Lies between latitudes 8 ° 4' and 37 ° 6 ' north and longitudes 68 ° 7 ' and 97 ° 25' east.
Coastline length	7,600 km
Languages	17 major languages, 844 dialects
Major religions	Hinduism (Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism) , Islam, Christianity.
National anthem	Jan gana mana written by Rabindranath Tagore.
National emblem	Replica of the Lion Capital of Sarnath.
National flag	Horizontal tricolor in equal proportion of deep saffron on the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom. In the center of the white band is a wheel in navy blue colour.
National animal	Tiger, Panthera tigris.
National bird	Peacock
National flower	Lotus
National tree	Banyan
National fruit	Mango
National currency	Rupees (One Rupees=100 paise)

India National Holidays

Holiday	Month in the Year
New Year	January 1
Republic Day	January 26
Labour Day	May 1
Independence Day	August 15
Mahatm Gandhi's Birthday	October 2
New Year's Eve	December 31

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS OF INDIA

There are 12 international airports in India.

1. Airport Name: Amritsar International Airport
City: Amritsar
State: Punjab
Distance & Direction from City: 11 Kms, 325° from Amritsar Railway Station

2. Airport Name: Indira Gandhi International Airport
New Delhi

3. Airport Name: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordolio International Airport
Guwahati

4. Airport Name: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport
City: Ahmedabad
State: Gujarat
Distance & Direction from City: 8 Kms., 045° from Ahmedabad Railway Station

5. Airport Name: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport
Kolkata

6. Airport Name: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
Mumbai

7. Airport Name: Hyderabad Airport
City: Hyderabad
State: Andhra Pradesh
Passenger Terminals International: Rajiv Gandhi Terminal Domestic: N. T. Rama Rao Terminal
Distance & Direction from City: 5 KM 353° GEO from Hyderabad Railway Station

8. Airport Name: Goa Airport
City: Vasco da Gama
State: Goa
Physical Location: Latitude: 15° 20' 47.42" N Longitude: 73° 49' 40.17" E
Elevation: 45.8 Mtrs. AMSL
Distance & Direction from City: South Goa 30 Kms from Capital Panjim

9. Airport Name: Chennai International Airport
Chennai

10.Airport Name: Bangalore International Airport
City: Bangalore
State: Karnataka
Physical Location: Southern India, South-East of the State of Karnataka
Distance & Direction from City: 11.6 Kms, East South East of Bangalore

11.Airport Name : Cochin International Airport
City: Cochin
State: Kerala
Distance & Direction from City 28 Kms North East of Cochin, 045 Deg.

12.Airport Name : Trivandrum International Airport
City: Thiruvananathapuram
State: Kerala
Physical Location: South Kerala
Distance & Direction from City: 3.7K.M Brg. 261Deg. from Trivandrum Railway Station

Climate of India

India is as large as a continent with a varying climate. You can always find a suitable place with your choice of climate. If you are travelling during the summer months, the Northern part that borders the world's longest mountain range, the Himalays is pleasant. The South also has its hill stations and most certainly the mountains of Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, North Uttar Pradesh. The famous hill resorts of the South like Kodai Kanal, Ootacamund and Croog, beside Darjeeling, Sikkim are recommended in summer.

India has three major seasons - winter - summer and the monsoon. Winter months (November-March) are bright and pleasant, with snowfall in the northern hills. Summer time (April-June) is hot in most parts of India, and it is then that the numerous hill resorts provide cool retreat. During the monsoon, rainfall is heavy along the west coast between June and September, and along the east coast between mid-October and December.

Exchange

1. Bringing into India of Foreign currency, Indian currency and Jewellery made of gold and silver.
Foreign Currency
Foreign Exchange comprising foreign currency notes/coins, travellers cheques, drafts drawn on banks in India or Bank letters of credit can be brought into India without limit. However, if the total amount of foreign currency notes/coins of travellers cheques brought into India at one time exceeds US$10,000/- or its equivalent, it is required to be declared by the holder to the Indian customs authorities on arrival on a currency declaration form (CDF). A copy of the CDF duly certified by the customs will be handed over to the declarant. This declaration helps easy conversion of foreign currency into Indian currency by the tourists and also reconversion of their unspent balances of Indian rupees into Foreign Currency at the time of departure from India. Banks CDFs are available with the Airport/Seaport customs.

Indian Currency
Bringing into India Indian currency of any denomination is prohibited. Foreign Tourists returning to India from Nepal area, however permitted to bring with them unspent Indian currency note. Coins upto the value of Rs. 75/- per person. There is no restriction bringing into India a cheques/drafts denominated in India rupees drawn on banks situated in India by overseas banks.

Personal Jewellery
Foreign Tourists are permitted to bring with them their personal jewellery either on their person or as part of their personal effects in accordance with customs baggage rules. In order to facilitate customs clearance of personal jewellery at the time of the tourists departure from India, details thereof are endorsed on the tourists passport at the time of entry.

2. ENCASHMENT OF FOREIGN CURRENCY
Travellers cheques and the Foreign Currency notes can be easily converted into Indian currency with any branch of a bank authorised to deal in Foreign Exchange or licensed money changers.

3. EXCHANGE RATES
The rates for purchase and sale of Pound Sterling and US Dollar currency notes and foreign currency travellers cheques, where applicable , are quoted by authorised dealers/money changers within the floor and ceiling rates worked out daily in accordance with guidelines prescribed by Reserve Bank of India. For other currencies, banks quited rates based on market conditions.

Banks drafts and travellers cheque fetch better rates as compared to currency notes and coins. Currencies like Pound-Sterling, US Dollar and Deutsche Mark, Swiss Francs and Japanese Yen are widely accepted.

4. PAYMENT OF HOTEL BILLS
Foreign National have to normally pay their Hotel Bills in Foreign Exchange. They may also pay the Hotel Bills in Indian Rupees, provided the rupees are derived out of sale of Foreign Exchange to authorised dealers/licensed money-changers as evidenced by the production of encashment certificates (Sec-III)

5. TRAVEL WITHIN INDIA
For travel within India, Foreign Tourists have to pay the fares in Foreign Exchange. All Booking offices of the Indian Airlines, private airlines and booking offices of Indian Railways at many important centres accept payment in Foreign Exchange from Foreign Tourists. Rail fares can be paid in Indian rupees on production of encashment certificate obtained earlier.

6. BOOKING OF PASSAGE IN INDIA FOR TRAVEL OUT OF COUNTRY
Foreign Tourists not holding return tickets purchased aboard may book their passage tickets for travel out of India through any Airlines/Shipping company or licensed travel agents. The passage fare has to be paid in foreign exchange or in Indian currency obtained in an approved manner.

7. UNACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE
Foreign visitors are required to pay charges for the excess baggage or freight on their unaccompanied baggage in foreign exchange. Payment in Indian rupees is also acceptable if supported by valid encashment certificates.

8. PURCHASE OF GOODS/ARTICLES BY FOREIGN TOURISTS
(a) Shops/Emporiums selling goods or providing services to foreign tourists are permitted to accept payment in foreign exchange in the following manner: Against internationally recognised credit cards.
By Bank draft drawn in approved foreign currencies on banks in India or rupees drafts issued by bank abroad (other than in Nepal and Bhutan)
By Travellers Cheques in Foreign currency or in Indian rupees provided in the letter case they are issued by selling agent outside India (other than Nepal and Bhutan).

(b) Foreign Tourists are permitted by Indian customs to take with them goods purchased in India (except banned items) without any value limit, provided the goods are purchased out of funds brought from abroad. The visitors have to complete a tourists questionnaire available with shops/travel agencies and submit it along with their encashment certificates. Some shops and emporiums also undertake to send the goods abroad as unaccompanied baggage at the request of the tourists.

Culture of India

The culture of India was moulded throughout various eras of history, all the while absorbing customs, traditions and ideas from both invaders and immigrants. Many cultural practices, languages, customs and monuments are examples of this co-mingling over centuries.

In modern India, there is remarkable cultural and religious diversity throughout the country. This has been influenced by the various regions of India, namely South, North, and North-East, have their own distinct identities and almost every state has carved out its own cultural niche. In spite of this unique cultural diversity, the whole country is bound as a civilization due to its common history, thereby preserving the national identity.

Indian Economy

India's economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of support services. Government controls have been reduced on foreign trade and investment, and privatization of domestic output has proceeded slowly. The economy has posted an excellent average growth rate of 6% since 1990, reducing poverty by About 10 percentage points. India is capitalizing on its large numbers of well-educated people skilled in the English language to become a major exporter of software services and software workers. Despite strong growth, the World Bank and others worry About the continuing public-sector budget deficit, running at approximately 10% of GDP.

How to Apply for Your Visa to India

All foreign nationals require visa to enter India. Tourist visas are issued for one month, six months or five years. Tourist visas can be extended by three months at the foreigner's registration office in New Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta and Chennai, or, with the Superintendent of Police at any District Headquarters. Four passport size photographs are needed for obtaining a visa.
If stay in the country exceeds 180 days, then tourists are required to get a tax clearance certificate, available at the foreigner's section of the income tax department in every major city. It is also advisable to keep bank receipts to show that the money has been changed legally.

Special permits may be required additionally with the visa to visit certain areas of the country. Areas such as parts of Sikkim and the north-east frontier states, north-east of Himachal Pradesh near the Tibetan border, are out of bounds for foreign nationals. For special permissions, please write to the Ministry of Home Affairs at least four weeks in advance of your intended visit.

Visa
Passports : All travellers to India (except nationals of Nepal and Bhutan) must possess a valid passport. Carry your passport with you at all times for identification.

Visas : All foreign tourists to India (barring nationals of Nepal and Bhutan) must possess a valid visa. For a visa, contact the Indian embassy or consulate in your country; Nationals of Maldives are permitted to enter India without Visa upto a period of three months. Visas are not issued on arrival. A visa costs US$ 40 for up to six months, US$ 65 for up to one year and US$ 180 for more than one year and up to five years. Tourist visas, valid for three to six month entry to simplify visits to neighboring countries.

Collective Visas:

Foreign tourists travelling in group of at least four, and under a recognized travel agent, may be granted tourist visas or collective visas without prior reference The procedure:

1) At least three days before departure the agency sponsoring the group must submit to the Indian Mission in that country four copies of a list. Containing particulars of each member of the group;

2) After checking, the Mission stamps a collective visa- it is not necessary to stamp individual passports - and returns three copies of the list to the sponsoring agency;

3) The person in charge of the tourist group lands over two copies of the list to the immigration authority on arrival in India;

4) Indian agents must furnish a list of group members to the immigration authority at least four hours before the flight arrives;

5) If the tourist group is to split into smaller groups to visit different parts of India, the immigration authority grants a collective 'license to travel', listing the particulars of the members of the smaller groups.

Visa provisions :

Tourist visa up to five years may be granted if the foreigner is connected with the tourism trade. If visa is for more than 180 days, registration is compulsory within 14 days' of arrival in India.

Extension of visa in Delhi -Ministry of Home Affairs
-Director (F), Lok Nayak Bhawan, (1st Floor) Khan Market, New Delhi -110003

Instructions have been issued whereby Nepalese and Indian citizens, while travelling by air, between the two be in possession of any of following documents to prove their nationally.

·Valid national passport :

·Valid photo identity card issued by the government of India/ state government or Union Territory Administration / Election Commission of India.

·Emergency certificate issued by the Embassy of India, Kathmandu to Indians and by the Embassy of Nepal in Delhi in respect of Nepalese citizens.

Transit Visas : Granted by Indian Missions abroad for a maximum of 15 days

Exemption from Registration :

Foreigners coming to India on tourist visas for 180 days or less do not need to register with any authority; they may visit any part of the country except restricted/protected areas and prohibited places. Family passports issued by other governments are recognized without discrimination.

Landing Permit Facility (for group tourists):

Foreign tourists in groups of four or more arriving by air or sea, sponsored by recognized Indian travel agencies and with a pre-drawn itinerary, may be granted a collective landing permit for a specified period of time on the written request of the travel agencies. The Immigration Officer will need personal and passport details of group members, their itinerary and an undertaking that the itinerary will be followed by the entire group, with no drop-outs.

Extension of Visa:

As a rule, no extension of stay is granted on a tourist visa beyond 180 days, except in exceptional cases. If a foreign tourist obtains extension beyond three months, he must surrender his Certificate of Registration and Residential Permit before leaving India. To extend a tourist visa contact MHA, Lok Nayak Bhawan, New Delhi.

Other Types of Visas:

Business Visa: Foreigners must obtain a visa from an Indian Embassy abroad. Foreigners can use this five-year, multiple-entry visa only for business trips.

Student Visa: Proof of admission and means of sustenance while in India must be provided to the Indian Embassy; a visa may be extended in India for the duration of the course or five years, whichever is less. Foreigners who want to study yoga, music, Vedic culture, dance, etc, must apply well in advance. Indian Embassies may grant visas for up to five years.

Employment Visa:

Issued to foreigners by Indian missions, initially for one year, but extendable in India up to the period of contract.

Conference Visa:

Delegates to international conferences in India can get a visa for the conference and for tourism. Delegates should apply to the Indian Embassies well in advance.

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