India (IN)
India is the world's most populous nation and a fast-rising global power — a vibrant federal republic of extraordinary cultural, linguistic, and geographic diversity.
Country Profile
Everything you need to know before you arrive.
India is the world's most populous nation and a fast-rising global power — a vibrant federal republic of extraordinary cultural, linguistic, and geographic diversity. From the snow-capped Himalayas to tropical Kerala backwaters, from the high-tech corridors of Bengaluru to the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu, India offers expats an unparalleled mix of professional opportunity, cultural richness, and affordable living. Home to 1.4 billion people, 22 scheduled languages, and every major world religion, India is simultaneously the world's largest democracy, a major IT and pharmaceutical powerhouse, and one of the fastest-growing large economies. For expats, India demands patience, adaptability, and an open mind — but rewards them with experiences, friendships, and perspectives found nowhere else on earth.
Climate
March–May: 25–42°C. Hot and increasingly dry. North India experiences intense heat by May (Delhi: 40–45°C). South India more moderate. Pre-monsoon thunderstorms in Northeast. Not ideal for sightseeing but excellent for cheap travel.
June–September: Monsoon season. South India receives heavy rain from June; North India from July. Mumbai: 26–32°C with very high humidity and 2,000mm+ rainfall. Bengaluru and Chennai remain pleasant. Flash floods possible. Northeast (Meghalaya, Assam) receives extreme rainfall.
October–November: 20–30°C. Post-monsoon — clear skies, lower humidity. One of the best times to visit. North India cools pleasantly. Festival season (Diwali, Navratri). Minor flooding risk in Tamil Nadu coast (Northeast Monsoon).
December–February: North India 5–20°C (Delhi can hit 3°C). Himalayas see heavy snowfall. South India 20–30°C — ideal weather. Air quality in Delhi very poor (AQI 300–500+ in December–January). Fog causes widespread flight delays in north.
Demographics
Religion
Social Culture & Etiquette
"Namaste" (palms pressed together, slight bow) is the universal Indian greeting — respectful and appreciated by everyone. "Namaskar" is slightly more formal. South India: "Vanakkam" (Tamil) or "Namaskara" (Kannada/Telugu). Handshakes common in business settings. Some Indians, particularly women, may not shake hands with opposite gender — follow their lead.
IST is sometimes jokingly called "Indian Stretchable Time." Social events commonly start 30–60 minutes late. Business meetings are more punctual in major cities, especially with multinationals. Confirm meetings same-day — plans change. Government offices: arrive early and expect to wait.
Conservative dress shows respect. Cover shoulders and knees when visiting temples, mosques, or rural areas. Business attire: formal in traditional sectors; smart casual in IT/startup culture. Remove shoes before entering homes and places of worship. Avoid wearing leather belts or shoes into Jain or some Hindu temples.
- ✕ Never touch someone's head — considered the most sacred part of the body.
- ✕ Use only the RIGHT hand for eating, passing food, and accepting items — the left hand is considered unclean.
- ✕ Remove shoes before entering homes and religious sites.
- ✕ Cows are sacred to Hindus — never mock or disrespect them. Beef consumption is illegal or restricted in many states.
- ✕ Public displays of affection (kissing, hugging couples) are frowned upon in conservative areas.
- ✕ Avoid pointing with your index finger — use an open hand instead.
- ✕ Photographing military installations, government buildings, or tribal areas without permission is prohibited.
- ✓ Hospitality is sacred — guests are treated like gods ("Atithi Devo Bhava"). Refusing food or drink offered may cause offence.
- ✓ Bargaining is expected and enjoyable at markets — never pay the first price. Smile and barter.
- ✓ Indians may ask personal questions (age, salary, marital status, children) — this is friendly curiosity, not rudeness.
- ✓ Spitting in public, while common, is technically illegal and is increasingly penalised in cities.
- ✓ Tipping: 10% in sit-down restaurants; ₹50–200 for various services. Not obligatory but widely appreciated.
- ✓ Indians are generally helpful with directions — if lost, ask multiple people and use Google Maps to cross-reference.
- ✓ Queues can be chaotic — be assertive but patient. Bank and government office queues can take hours.
🍽️ Traditional Food & Drink
Fragrant slow-cooked rice dish with spices, herbs and meat or vegetables. Hyderabadi, Lucknowi, and Kolkata styles each have devoted followings.
Cooked lentils spiced with turmeric, cumin, and mustard seeds. Dal is eaten daily across all regions — dal tadka and dal makhani are national staples.
South Indian crispy fermented rice-and-lentil crepe, served with coconut chutney and sambar. Masala dosa (stuffed with spiced potato) is iconic.
Tender chicken in a creamy tomato and butter sauce. Born in Delhi's Moti Mahal restaurant — India's most internationally recognised dish.
Street food category of tangy, spicy, sweet snacks: pani puri, bhel puri, aloo tikki. Loved across north and west India. Every city has its own variation.
Steamed fermented rice-and-lentil cakes served with lentil vegetable stew. The breakfast of choice across South India — healthy, light, and delicious.
Indian flatbreads: roti (whole wheat, everyday), naan (leavened, from tandoor oven), paratha (layered, often stuffed). Served with every meal in north India.
Coastal India excels at seafood. Goa's coconut fish curry and Bengal's mustard-based fish preparations are world-class.
Strong milky tea brewed with ginger, cardamom, and spices. The national drink — served at roadside stalls (chaiwallahs) across India for ₹5–20.
Yogurt-based drink, sweet or salted. Mango lassi is beloved worldwide. Punjab's salted lassi is thick and refreshing in the heat.
Fresh lime water with salt and sugar. Essential hydration in the Indian heat. Coconut water (₹20–40 from a coconut) is widely available and deeply refreshing.
South Indian filter coffee — dark, strong, frothy, served in a traditional tumbler-and-davara set. A religion in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Distinctly different from North Indian "coffee".
📍 Tourist Highlights
White marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal (1643). UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Network of canals, lakes, and lagoons stretching 900 km along the Arabian Sea coast. Explore by houseboat through lush coconut-fringed waterways.
One of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Sacred to Hindus — the ghats (steps) along the Ganges are where life and death intersect in daily rituals.
Palaces, forts, desert, and vibrant colour. Jaipur (Pink City), Udaipur (City of Lakes), Jaisalmer (Desert Fort), Jodhpur (Blue City). India's most photographed state.
The holiest shrine in Sikhism — gleaming gold structure in a sacred pool. Open to all faiths 24/7. Serves free meals (langar) to 100,000 people daily.
UNESCO-listed ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire (14th–16th century) scattered among giant boulders. One of Asia's most atmospheric ancient sites.
📖 Brief History
India's civilisation spans 5,000 years from the Indus Valley Civilisation through the Mauryan and Gupta Empires, the Mughal Empire, and British colonial rule. India gained independence from Britain on 15 August 1947, and became a republic on 26 January 1950. The partition of British India into India and Pakistan in 1947 was one of history's largest forced migrations. Independent India has grown from a predominantly agrarian economy to the world's fifth-largest economy, a nuclear power, a space superpower (Chandrayaan-3 landed on the Moon's south pole in 2023), and a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, G20, and BRICS. The 1991 economic liberalisation transformed India into a global services hub.