Essential info for India
Time: The local time in India is GMT +5.5.
Electricity: India’s electricity supply is 240 volts, 50Hz and most plugs have two or three round pins, although a variety of power outlets are used.
Language: Hindi is the official language and although English is used for official and business purposes, Urdu is the language most spoken by the Muslim demographic. Expats relocating here should note that there are 16 other languages also spoken throughout India.
Safety: Expats who relocate to India should be aware of the high threat of terrorist attacks as recent incidents in Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Bangalore occurred in popular places where foreigners reside, such as hotels, railway stations, markets and temples. New residents should be cautious and avoid walking alone at night as petty crime such as pick-pocketing occurs in the larger cities.
Language: Hindi is the official language and although English is used for official and business purposes, Urdu is the language most spoken by the Muslim demographic. Expats relocating here should note that there are 16 other languages also spoken throughout India.
Safety: Expats who relocate to India should be aware of the high threat of terrorist attacks as recent incidents in Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Bangalore occurred in popular places where foreigners reside, such as hotels, railway stations, markets and temples. New residents should be cautious and avoid walking alone at night as petty crime such as pick-pocketing occurs in the larger cities.
Local customs: Since India has so many social and religious customs expats relocating here should be respectful; upon entering a temple, visitors should remove their footwear and cover their heads, and women should dress conservatively. Topless sunbathing is illegal and a smoking ban was put in place in October 2008 on smoking in public places. Expats should note, too, that social order and status is an important part of Indian culture and they should also avoid using their left hand, particular when eating.
Business: Business in India is formal and punctuality is considered to be a sign of respect. Typical business attire in India for men is a suits and tie, while women are expected to dress modestly. Expats should exchange their business card upon arrival at a meeting and handshakes are a common form of greeting, though other greetings, such as bowing and saying ‘namaste', are also common, and expats should rather wait to be greeted first and respond accordingly. Business hours are usually from Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 5:30pm and Saturdays from 9:30am to 1pm.
Communications: Expats living in India should note that the international access code is +91 and when dialling out, the outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). International calls can be quite pricey and it can be cheaper to use Skype of a calling card, while there are telephone agencies in most cities which are identifiable by the letters STD for long distance internal calls and ISD for the international service. Mobile phone operators in India use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available and Internet access and broadband internet is common and provided by a number of Internet service providers.
