For the most part, electrical sockets (outlets) in India are the “Type D” 5 amp BS-546 sockets. This is actually an old British standard. The “Type D” Indian plug and socket is not to be confused with the “Type M” South African plug and socket. In pictures, they look very similar, but the South African type is much larger than the Indian type, and they are physically incompatible. If your appliance’s plug doesn’t match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Electrical sockets (outlets) in India usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you’re plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need. If your appliances are not compatible with 220-240 volt electrical output, a voltage converter will be necessary.

CurrencyThe Indian rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. The modern rupee is subdivided into 100 paise (singular paisa), though as of 2011 only 50-paise coins are legal tender. Banknotes in circulation come in denominations of ₹5, ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹500 and ₹2000. Please note that as of November 2016, the older ₹500 note is no longer valid legal tender and only new ₹500 notes will be accepted. The older Rupee coins are available in denominations of ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10, ₹20,₹25, ₹50, ₹100, ₹500 and ₹1000; the coins for 20 and above are for commemorative purposes only; the only other rupee coin has a nominal value of 50 paise, since lower denominations have been officially withdrawn.The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited. However, amounts exceeding US$5,000 or equivalent in cash, or US$10,000 or equivalent in all forms of currency must be declared. The export of foreign currency is allowed up to the amount imported and declared.Currency can be changed at banks, airports or authorised money changers. Many hotels also have facilities to change money but this is a more expensive option. It is illegal to exchange money through unauthorised money changers. US Dollars and Pounds Sterling are the easiest currencies to exchange.BankingBanking hours: Monday-Friday 10h30-15h30; Sat 10h30-13h00.Strictly speaking, you can neither import nor export Indian currency, but you can get some at the airport straight away to at least get you transport to your accommodation. There are Authorized Foreign Exchange dealers in most big cities, and banks will also change your currency at a fair rate if you have time for the paperwork.A good way of getting your travellers currency is via an ATM but beware of hidden bank charges, both from the bank providing the ATM and the card-issuing bank – you also do not know what exchange rate you are getting.ATMs are found in most towns and are recommended for cash withdrawals. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are usually accepted in tourist hotels and many other shops. Debit cards are also widely accepted. Travellers cheques are widely accepted and may be changed at banks and larger hotels. The most widely accepted currencies include US Dollars and Pounds Sterling. Some banks may refuse to change certain brands of traveller’s cheques whilst others may exchange quite happily.

Water for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should first be boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is often unpasteurised and should be boiled. Avoid dairy products likely to have been made from non-boiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Do not eat salads, vegetables should be cooked and peel your own fruit. Don’t eat street vendor food unless it is piping hot. Tap water is not safe to drink, rely on bottled water which is widely available. However, do check the seal on bottled water.Indian food is world-renowned for its tantalising flavours, spiciness and enormous variety. Curries are created from the subtle and delicate blending of spices such as cumin, turmeric, cardamom, ginger, coriander, nutmeg and poppy seed although these vary from region to region and every spice has medicinal properties and use.Vegetable dishes are more common than in Europe, particularly in the fruity, coconutty dishes of southern India, while northern India has an entirely different but equally satisfying cuisine to sample. Breads like paranthas, chapatis, naans and rotis are also part of the main diet in several states like Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. Achars (pickles), relishes and chutneys again vary by region and add more resonance to amazing meals.Sweets or mithai too have regional specialities. They tend to be milk based and some are syrupy and fried. Well-known northern sweets are gulab jamun, jalebi (it’s worth watching how these syprup-based confections are made in the street), kulfi, kheer, halwa and laddu. From the east are rasgulla and rasmalai. The south has several burfi and halwa-type desserts like coconut burfi and badam halwa made from almonds.While care should be taken in where one eats, exceptional food can be had in the most humble surroundings such as food at ashrams as can be found in 5-star restaurants. Non-vegetarians will find fabulously spiced mutton dishes according to regional specialities including fish dishes typical to coastal areas.National specialties:• Dhal (curried lentils).• Kulfi (firm Indian-style ice cream).• Gulab Jamuns (deep-fried dough balls in sweet syrup).• Jalebi (circular-shaped deep-fried batter in sweet syrup).• Paan (betel nut, with assorted condiments and spices, wrapped in a paan leaf).National drinks:• Chai (tea) is India's favorite drink. It will often come ready-brewed with milk and sugar unless ‘tray tea' or ‘separate tea' is specified.• Coffee has long been popular in the south, but nowadays most large cities and towns have cafés serving cappuccinos, lattes, espressos and more.• Nimbu Pani (lemon water).• Lassi (iced yogurt/buttermilk beverage).• Indian beer (in many varieties, with Kingfisher the most popular brand).

The weather is mainly hot most of the year with significant variations from region to region. The coolest weather lasts from around the end of November to the beginning of March, with fresh mornings and evenings, and mostly sunny days. The really hot weather, when it is dry, dusty and unpleasant, is between March and June. Monsoon rains occur in most regions in summer anywhere between June and early October.

India is big 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 (eg. your flight back), and try to remember that getting there should be half the fun.India's large size and uncertain roads make flying a viable option, especially as prices have tumbled in the last few years. Even India's offshore islands and remote mountain states are served by flights, the main exceptions being Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh (although crossing over from neighbouring states is fairly easy). 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 terribly long, especially in Delhi and Mumbai.Railways were introduced in India in 1853, more than one and half a centuries ago, by the British, and today India boasts of the biggest network of railway lines in the world, and the rail system is very efficient, if not always on schedule. Travelling on Indian Railways gives you the opportunity to discover the Indian landscape and scenic beauty first hand and is generally more economical than flying domestic. It is one of the safest ways of travel in India. With classes 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.In central locations of big cities like airports or stations reliable pre-paid taxis are available and will save you money as well as the bargaining hassle. However beware of touts who would claim themselves 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 need to handover to the taxi driver only after you reach your desired destination. The taxi driver will get his payment by submitting or producing this other part to the pre-paid taxi counter. Normal taxis running by meter are usually more common. In many non Metro Cities (or even in Metros depending on time) taxies or autos may ply without the usual meter.While you can't take a cross-country bus-ride 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 rail network (eg. Dharamsala).

Male or female, one rule covers all visitors to India: don't leave the house with your arms or legs bare. You'll naturally get attention as a foreigner, as full-on staring is common and accepted on Indian streets, but you'll suffer far less negative attention if you remain covered up. For most locations and seasons in India, thin, loose linen or cotton pants and button-down shirts will keep you comfortable in hot, humid weather and help you blend in. While you may see Indian young adults sporting tight jeans and fitted brand-name tops, you'd stand out significantly more in the same outfit. If you visit anywhere in northern India – not just the mountains, Delhi too – during the winter, prepare for seriously cold weather. Bring jeans and heavy shirts and pick up an Indian wool wrap.What you can get away with at an Indian beach depends entirely on which beach you visit. In the state of Goa, a popular beach and club getaway destination, locals are accustomed to seeing tourists in bikinis on the beach and Indian men often sport Speedos. But skimpy clothes need to stay on the beach. Don't walk around town or your hotel in nothing but a bikini and sarong. In less Western-frequented beach destinations, such as the beaches around Bombay, Alibag and Chowpatty, or anywhere in the south, hit the beach in light pants and a tunic.When visiting temples and other religious sites on your own or part of a tour, be on the lookout for signs advising visitors to dress in a specific way to enter the temple. The government of India advises that some religious institutions require visitors to cover their heads or remove their shoes, and covering your legs and arms in respect goes without saying. Certain sites may carry more specific requirements, such as donning a certain colored sash or sarong-like covering. Take your cue from other visitors exiting the site.

Please consult your health-care provider 4-6 weeks prior to travel to ensure you are receiving all required vaccinations and that the medication has enough time to take effect. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance with medical benefits and that you bring any personal medication with you. Please also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.

The quality of medical care in India varies considerably. Medical care in the major population centers approaches and occasionally meets Western standards, but adequate medical care is usually very limited or unavailable in rural areas.

Required Immunizations/Vaccinations:

Yellow Fever – all travelers coming from a yellow fever infected country will be required to show a valid Yellow Fever certificate on arrival. It is otherwise not required or recommended. You should be vaccinated at least 10 days before you travel, as this will allow enough time for your body to develop protection against the yellow fever infection. Your proof of vaccination certificate will only become valid after this time.

Recommended Immunizations/Vaccinations:

Malaria prophylaxis – recommended for all travelers

Malaria

Expert opinion differs regarding the best approach to malaria prophylaxis. It is important to bear in mind that malaria may be contracted despite chemoprophylaxis, especially in areas where chloroquine resistance has been reported. 

We strongly recommend you take the following preventative measures:

Use plenty of mosquito repellent. Some camps provide a locally made repellent but please bring your own as there may be skin sensitivity.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers/slacks in the evenings.
Please use the mosquito net over your bed where supplied/available.
If staying in a bungalow or tent, spray with a suitable insecticide to kill any mosquitoes that may have flown into your room.
Mosquito coils are also effective.

There is a six to seven day minimum incubation period before symptoms present themselves. If you become ill on your return, while still on prophylaxis or even once you have stopped taking them, ensure that your doctor does everything to establish that your illness is not malaria. Please remember the best precaution is the preventative kind. 

It is inadvisable for pregnant women to visit malarial areas as malaria infection during pregnancy can be detrimental to both mother and child.

U.S. citizens are required to obtain a visa for entry into India. Non U.S. citizens should consult with your local embassy.

Certain parts of the country have been designated protected or restricted areas that require special permits and in some cases prior government authorization. Intent to visit a specific restricted region should be indicated when applying for a visa and a permit will be granted to visit that region only. An additional form must be completed. US citizens can apply online here: https://indiavisa.travisaoutsourcing.com/homepage.

US citizens are now eligible to receive a tourist visa on arrival. The online application should be submitted minimum 4 days in advance and maximum 30 days of proposed date of travel. 

Purpose and validity: 

Entry into India within 30 days from the date of approval of ETA.
Valid for 30 days stay in India from the date of arrival in India.
Allowed to enter and depart from any of the 9 airports: viz Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Goa, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram.
Cannot be availed more than twice in a calendar year. 

Instructions:

Apply online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html 
Upload photo and passport page:

The photograph must be a recent front facing photograph with white background.  The background should be plain light color or white background.  There should not be shadows on the face or on the background. 
The photograph must be saved as JPEG in a RGB format and should be 350 x 350 pixels.  
The passport page must be a scanned page of passport containing photo and personal details

Pay Visa fee online using credit or debit card. Visa fee is US$60 + bank transaction charges
Receive ETA online (ETA will be sent to registered email)
Print ETA and pack with your travel documents. Applicant must carry a copy of ETA along with him / her at the time of travel. 

Language:The National language is Hindi which is spoken by about 40% of the population; English is also enshrined in the constitution for a wide range of official purposes. In addition, 17 regional languages are recognized by the constitution. These include Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya and Punjabi, which are widely used in the north, and Tamil and Telugu, which are common in the south. Other regional languages include Kannada, Malayalam and Marathi. The Muslim population largely speaks Urdu.National Emergency Numbers:The India emergency number for services such as police, fire and ambulance is 112.Public Holidays:The dates of certain public holidays change from year to year – refer below. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, then the Monday is also declared a public holiday.Jan. 01 – New Year’s DayJan. 26 – Republic Day*Varies – MahashivratriVaries – Milad-Un-Nabi (Birth of the Prophet)Varies – Mahavir JayanthiVaries – Good FridayVaries – Easter MondayVaries – Buddha PurnimaAug. 15 – Independence Day *Sept. 02 – JanmashtamiVaries – Id ul Fitr (End of Ramadan)Oct. 02 – Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday *Oct. 17 – Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami)Nov. 02 – Guru Nanak's BirthdayVaries – Deepavali or Diwali (Festival of Lights)Varies – Idu'l Zuha/Bakrid (Feast of the Sacrifice)Varies – Muharram (Islamic New Year)Dec. 25 – Christmas DayDec. 26 – Boxing Day*Only the secular holidays of Republic Day, Independence Day and Mahatma Gandhi’s Birthday are universally observed.• Public holidays in India tend to be observed on a strictly regional basis. The above dates are Government of India holidays, when government offices will be closed nationwide. In addition, there are numerous festivals and fairs which are also observed in some states as holidays, the dates of which change from year to year.• Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking.• Although not government official holidays, Christmas Day (25 Dec) and New Year's Day (1 Jan) are widely observed nationally.Social conventions:The traditional Hindu greeting is to fold the hands and tilt the head forward to “Namaste” Indian women generally prefer not to shake hands. All visitors are asked to remove footwear when entering places of religious worship. Most Indians also remove their footwear when entering their homes; visitors should follow suit. Many Hindus are vegetarian and many, especially women, do not drink alcohol. Most Sikhs and Parsis do not smoke. Women are expected to dress modestly and men should also dress respectfully. Women should not wear short skirts and tight or revealing clothing, although there is a more casual approach to clothing in Goa.Time Zone:The time zone for India is UTC+5:30.TippingVisitors are not to be expected to tip taxi drivers. However, hotel, airport and train station porters should be tipped approximately Rs50/bag. If a service charge is not included, tip guides Rs 200 and drivers approximately Rs350 per day or 10 percent where appropriate. In restaurants, if the service was good, tip anything between approx 5-10% of the bill. Depending on the category of the hotel, and the bill amount. It's not mandatory, you may not leave a tip if you don't want to. On receipts, it will often say "Service Charge." This is NOT an automatic tip charge on your bill. It is a government issued tax that has nothing to do with the service your waiter provided you. US EmbassyAddress: Shantipath, Chanakyapuri New Delhi – 110021Tel: 011-91-11-2419-8000Fax: 011-91-11-2419-0017Website: newdelhi.usembassy.gov/