INDIA

  • Bangalore
  • Chennai
  • Goa
  • Hyderabad
  • Kolkata
  • Mumbai
  • Pune

One of the oldest civilizations in the world, India is a fascinating country full of mysticism, spiritualism and abounding beauty. It is a land which is incredibly diverse in nearly every aspect. From its sun-kissed beaches to snowy mountains, there are different religions, languages and customs, creating an environment of energy, growth, and stimulation. It is the world’s most populous democracy and the 7th largest nation. The Indian population is polygenetic and is an amazing amalgamation of various races and cultures. It is often said about India, that you hate it in the first five minutes and spend the next five years discovering all that’s good about it.

  • Population: The present population of India is estimated to be 1.27 billion. The main ethnic groups are Indo Aryans, Mongoloids, Dravidians and Tribals.

  • Languages: The 8th schedule of the Indian constitution lists 22 official languages. Amongst these Hindi has been recognised as the official language of the union with English as an additional language for official work. Hindi and English are the predominant languages all over the country with the former being spoken by approximately 40% of the population and the latter being the prevalent language of trade and the service sectors.

    There are an additional 37 different languages and over 1,000 regional dialects spoken throughout the country and each state has its own official language. Hindi is by and large the language of preference for the northern, central, and eastern parts of India whereas the south western and southern states (especially the four southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala) have very few Hindi speakers and people have a preference for either the regional language or English.

  • Time zone: GMT + 5.30 hours

  • Electricity: The electrical power supplied to various cities in India is rated at 220 volts, 50 HZ(Hertz). There are problems with uninterrupted supply in remote, industrial locations.

  • Housing: The range of housing options in India varies greatly from city to city and area to area. The majority of cities in India offer expatriates a very good standard of living for a relatively low cost and affords them an affluent lifestyle at a fraction of the price perhaps in a country in Europe or the USA. The cost of most things, including entertainment, education, housing and food is lower than that in western countries, even within the developed cities such as Mumbai and New Delhi. The rents depend on the location and facilities offered. Normally a deposit of at least 10 to 12 months rent is expected to be paid before moving in. The refund will usually be paid in full after moving out. The rentals are usually revised at 7-10% per annum but this may vary depending on market circumstances.

  • Temporary accommodation: The concept of serviced apartments as temporary accommodation is becoming more and more popular in India. All the major cities of Mumbai, Bangalore, New Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kolkata have several options in this respect. These luxurious apartments help newly arrived expats to first settle in before making up their mind, where and how they actually want to live during their assignment in India. They are fully equipped and furnished with all necessities from kitchen equipment, to high technology gadgets and internet access.

  • Schools: There are several international and well established schools in the major cities of India. While most residents send their wards to private or public schools due to the difference in syllabi – CBSE/ISCE as opposed to IGCSE/IB – these do not work well for expats. Most expats prefer private schooling in India which is an umbrella term that includes a broad range of institutions that support all types of curricula: International schools supporting home country curricula, Alternative learning schools supporting Montessori and Steiner philosophies and private Indian schools supporting ICSE, CBSE, IB and IGCSE curricula. International schools are an ideal choice for expats who prefer their children to continue with their home-country curriculum. These schools also maintain the primary teaching language of the home country, and tend to employ familiar methods of instruction. American and British international schools are well-represented in India, and in the larger cities, a number of other nations have opened their own respective houses of learning. Expats should note that these schools are often the most expensive of all the school types.

  • Transportation: India has different modes of public transport available. These include buses, taxis, 3 wheeler motored cabs popularly known as the rickshaw and local trains. Private transport, in forms of cars and motorcycles, is also widely popular. Most expatriates travel in private cars/rental cars which are normally chauffeur-driven and often provided by the company. Other modes of public transport are not recommended for expats due to poor traffic conditions/overcrowded.

  • Healthcare: The quality of healthcare in India varies from region to region. While the larger cities of Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore have both private and government-run facilities, most expats choose to use only private healthcare facilities. About 80 percent of healthcare in India is provided by private hospitals or charities. It's necessary for expats moving to India to have health insurance.

  • Climate: India experiences three main seasons – severe summers, heavy rains in the monsoons and harsh to mild winters depending on the region of the country. Summers usually stretch from March till May with temperatures in the low to mid 40's and high humidity. These hot spells are occasionally relieved with tropical rains. The weather experiences a change with the advent of the south west monsoons in June. The rains recede in September and the climate becomes more pleasant with low levels of humidity and temperatures ranging between 5°C and 20°C. Winters usually last till February.

  • Government: India is the largest democracy in the world. The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India. The government comprises three branches: the executive, the legislative and the judiciary. The office of the Presidency is considered the head of state. Mr.Pranab Kumar Mukherjee is the 13th and current President of India. The union government is presently led by the United Progressive Alliance. Mr. Manmohan Singh is the current and 13th Prime Minister of India.

  • Work permits and visas: All foreigners coming to India for employment need to apply for a valid Indian visa before they arrive. You can obtain a visa application form from the Indian Embassy in your country, or you can also approach several private processing agencies, like VFS Global, who have been appointed by the Indian Embassy to process Indian visa applications. To enter the country visitors need a visa unless they are Indian citizens. NRIs who are holding a foreign national passport, equally need to get a visa before arriving in India unless they have a PIO card (People of Indian origin) provided by the Indian government. All foreigners are obliged to register with the local immigration authorities called the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO) within 14 days of their arrival in India in case their visas are valid for longer than six months.

  • Banking and currency: The local currency is Indian Rupees (INR). Banks are categorized as nationalized or private banks. The latter can be further classified into banks of local and multinational Banks. A good ATM network is available throughout the country. 24-hour Phone banking, Internet Banking and Credit Cards are commonly used. As a foreign national employed in India, binding to Indian Foreign Exchange and Income Tax Law, you are restricted to open one bank account per city. Our relocation consultants will guide you in opening your personal bank/Savings/Checking account.

• Is it safe to drink the water?
Do not drink tap water; it is not suitable for consumption. Do not use for cleaning teeth or contact lenses or first aid. You should use boiled or filtered water.

• Is India a safe country?
India is relatively safe. Your personal safety is at low risk in India as violent incidents against foreigners are rare

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