Currency
India uses the Indian Rupee (₹, INR). Notes come in denominations of ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, and ₹500. You cannot take more than ₹25,000 out of the country.
ATMs are widely available in cities and larger towns. Carry cash in smaller towns and rural areas — card acceptance is uneven outside major centres. UPI (Unified Payments Interface) is ubiquitous in India; some vendors now accept it from international apps, but you'll need a local number to set it up properly.
Foreign currency above USD 5,000 in cash (or USD 10,000 in total including travellers' cheques) must be declared on arrival.
Language
Hindi is the official national language, widely spoken in the north and understood by many in the south. English is a second official language and the medium of most government, higher education, and business. You will have no trouble getting by in English in cities, tourist areas, and anywhere that serves foreign visitors. In rural areas, sign language and a phrasebook help.
India has over 20 constitutionally recognized languages and hundreds of dialects. Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali, Gujarati, and Punjabi each have tens of millions of speakers. Being able to say "please," "thank you," and "how much?" in the local language goes a long way.
Health
Stomach problems are common; be cautious about water and raw food, especially in the first week. Stick to bottled water or water that has been boiled. Street food is usually fine from busy, high-turnover stalls — use your judgment. Carry oral rehydration sachets.
Malaria is present in some regions; check current recommendations for your destination before you go and consult a travel doctor. Hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus vaccinations are generally recommended. Rabies vaccination is worth considering if you plan to spend time in rural areas.
Medical care in major cities is generally good. Outside cities, facilities are basic. Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly advised.
Safety
India is broadly safe for tourists. Violent crime against foreigners is uncommon. Petty crime — pickpocketing, bag-snatching, and scams — is more of a concern, especially in crowded transport hubs and tourist areas.
Common scams include fake "tourist offices" near railway stations, touts who lead you away from your intended hotel, and drivers who "misunderstand" a destination to take you somewhere with commission. Trust your instincts; if something feels off, it probably is.
Women traveling alone should exercise extra caution, particularly at night and in isolated areas. Use women-only carriages on the Delhi Metro and other metro systems. Be assertive about unwanted attention.
Emergency numbers: Police 100, Ambulance 108, from a mobile: 112.
Electricity
230V/50Hz. Sockets are usually Type D (three round pins) or Type C (two round pins). Adapters are cheap and widely available locally.
Connectivity
SIM cards are available at airports and phone shops with your passport. Major providers include Airtel, Jio, and Vi (Vodafone Idea). 4G coverage is excellent in cities; more patchy in rural and mountain areas. Jio in particular offers cheap data plans.