English enjoys associate status but is the most important language for national, political, and commercial communication; Hindi is the national language and primary tongue of 30% of the people; there are 14 other official languages: Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, Tamil, Urdu, Gujarati, Malayalam, Kannada, Oriya, Punjabi, Assamese, Kashmiri, Sindhi, and Sanskrit; Hindustani is a popular variant of Hindi/Urdu spoken widely throughout northern India but is not an official language.

Hindu 80.5%, Muslim 13.4%, Christian 2.3%, Sikh 1.9%, other 1.8%, unspecified 0.1%

India achieved 8.5% GDP growth in 2006, significantly expanding manufacturing. India is capitalizing on its large numbers of well-educated people skilled in the English language to become a major exporter of software services and software workers. Economic expansion has helped New Delhi continue to make progress in reducing its federal fiscal deficit. However, strong growth- more than 8 percent growth in each of the last three years- combined with easy consumer credit and a real estate boom is fueling inflation concerns. The huge and growing population is the fundamental social, economic, and environmental problem.

Army, Navy (includes naval air arm), Air Force, Coast Guard, various security or paramilitary forces (includes Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, National Security Guards, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Special Frontier Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Railway Protection Force, and Defense Security Corps)

The US Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; tel +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407. The Embassy's Internet home page address is http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov.  The US Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, 400026, tel +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363-0350. The Internet home page address is http://mumbai.usconsulate.gov. The US Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; tel +91-33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335. The Internet home page address is http://kolkata.usconsulate.gov. The US Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006; tel +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2857-4443. The Internet home page address is

http://chennai.usconsulate.gov.

Army, Navy (includes naval air arm), Air Force, Coast Guard, various security or paramilitary forces (includes Border Security Force, Assam Rifles, National Security Guards, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Special Frontier Force, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force, Railway Protection Force, and Defense Security Corps).

India - New Visa Regulations

December 23, 2009
The Department of State wishes to alert US citizens with Indian tourist visas about new regulations that may affect planned travel. Travelers are urged to review travel plans in light of these new regulations. This Travel Alert supplements the Travel Alerts for India dated October 29 and December 9, and expires on January 21, 2010.
Foreign tourists departing India with visitor (T) visas will now receive a stamp in their passports at the port of departure that indicates that the bearer will not be allowed to reenter India for two months, regardless of their length of stay or validity of the visa.  Tourists who wish to return to India before the two-month period has passed must visit an Indian Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate abroad to present their case for reentry, and must provide documentation in support of the request. If approved, the traveler will receive a letter authorizing reentry to present at an Indian port of entry. Only one request for reentry may be made during a two-month interval. Tourists who have been granted permission to return to India may also be required to register with the nearest Foreigners Registration Office within 14 days of their return, regardless of the length of their stay.  The procedures and requirements for registration can be complex. Travelers are advised to follow directions as stipulated on their visas regarding registration procedures irrespective of the visa category.
To date, these changes have mostly affected tourist (T) visa holders, but the US Embassy and Consulates in India have also received reports pertaining to other visa types and about inconsistent implementation of the new rules, which have not been widely publicized and are subject to change. Prior to traveling to or departing India, Americans who may be affected by these changes are urged to contact the nearest Indian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate overseas or Foreign Registration Office in India to determine proper procedures to follow.
US citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. By registering, US citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad."
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet website where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts, including the existing Travel Alert for India, can be found.  Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00a to 8:00p ET, Monday through Friday (except US federal holidays). Americans are also encouraged to read the Country Specific Information for India, available on the Consulate’s website, Embassy's website and also at the Department's website.
US citizens with questions or concerns may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:
-- The US Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11-2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407.
-- The US Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, 400026, telephone +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363-0350.
-- The US Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2811-2027.
-- The US Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91-33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335.
-- The US Consulate General in Hyderabad is at Paigah Palace, 1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003; telephone: +91 (40) 4033-8300.

Airports: 341, Airports w/paved runways: 243 (numerous significant international airports throughout the country).

Delhi – Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL/VIDP)
Delhi Airport, India, New Delhi 110 037, INDIA
Tel: +91 (0)11 329 6535, +91 (0)11 565 2011
Fax: +91 (0)11 329 5444
E-mail: info@delhiairport.com
Website: www.delhiairport.com 

US Dept. of State has issued a Travel Alert for India on April 16
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4398.html

The Department of State alerts US citizens to ongoing security concerns in India. The US government continues to receive information that terrorist groups may be planning attacks in India. The February 2010 bombing in Pune and the November 2008 attacks in Mumbai provide a vivid reminder that hotels, markets, trains and other public places in India are especially attractive targets for terrorist groups. Terrorists and their sympathizers have demonstrated their willingness and capability to attack targets where US citizens or Westerners are known to congregate or visit. This replaces the Travel Alert dated January 29, 2010, to note the February 2010 bombing in Pune, and expires on May 30, 2010.
US citizens are urged always to practice good security, maintain a heightened situational awareness and a low profile. US citizens are advised to monitor local news reports and consider the level of security present when visiting public places, including religious sites, or choosing hotels, restaurants, entertainment and recreation venues.
US citizens living or traveling abroad are encouraged to register with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate through the State Department's travel registration website so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security. US citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. By registering, US citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency. For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad."
For the latest security information, US citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00a to 8:00p Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). US citizens are also encouraged to read the Country Specific Information for India, available on the Embassy's website and on the Department’s website.
US citizens with questions or concerns may contact the American Citizens Services Unit of the Embassy or the Consulates General for further information:
-- The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi is located at Shanti Path, Chanakya Puri 110021; telephone +91-11- 2419-8000; fax +91-11-2419-8407. For after-hours emergencies, call 91-11-2419-8000.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai (Bombay) is located at Lincoln House, 78 Bhulabhai Desai Road, 400026, telephone +91-22-2363-3611; fax +91-22-2363- 0350. For after-hours emergencies, call 91-22-2363-3611, ext. 0.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Chennai (Madras) is at 220 Anna Salai, Gemini Circle, 600006, telephone +91-44-2857-4000; fax +91-44-2811-2027. For after-hours emergencies, call 91-44-2857-4000, 91-44-2811-2000, or 91-44-2811-2021.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Kolkata (Calcutta) is at 5/1 Ho Chi Minh Sarani, 700071; telephone +91- 33-3984-2400; fax +91-33-2282-2335. For after-hour emergencies, call 91-99030-42956 (cell) or 91-33-3984-2400, ext. 0.
-- The U.S. Consulate General in Hyderabad is at Paigah Palace, 1-8-323, Chiran Fort Lane, Begumpet, Secunderabad 500 003; telephone: +91 (40) 4033-8300. For after-hours emergencies, call 91-90-0060-4234.

A number of anti-Western terrorist groups (some of which are on the US government's list of foreign terrorist organizations) are believed to be active in India. Beyond the threat from terrorism, demonstrations are also likely to cause disruption. Protests can begin spontaneously and escalate with little warning, disrupting transportation systems and city services and posing risks to travelers' personal safety.

Petty crime, especially theft of personal property, is common, particularly on trains or buses. US citizens, particularly women, are cautioned not to travel alone in India.  Western women continue to report incidents of physical harassment by groups of men.

Finally, visitors should exercise caution when swimming in open waters along the Indian coastline, particularly during the monsoon season.  Every year, several people in Goa, Mumbai, Puri (Orissa), and other areas drown due to the strong undertow.

Infant MR total:  34.61 deaths/1,000 live births.

Life expectancy at birth:  TOTAL 68.59 years  (male 66.28/female 70.17)

Required: None

Recommended: Malaria, Hep A & B, Japanese encephalitits, Rabies, Typhoid, Boosters: MMR, DPT, poliodegree of risk: high

filariasis is common in Bangladesh, India, and the southwestern coastal belt of Sri Lanka. A sharp rise in the incidence of visceral leishmaniasis has been observed in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. Cutaneous leishmaniasis occurs in Afghanistan, India (Rajasthan), and Pakistan. Outbreaks of dengue fever can occur in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, and the hemorrhagic form has been reported from eastern India and Sri Lanka. Japanese encephalitis occurs widely except in mountainous areas. Polio is still endemic in India and Afghanistan. Rabies is common in the region and poses a risk to travelers, especially to rural areas.

Leptospirosis, a bacterial infection often contracted through recreational water activities in contaminated water is common in tropical areas of this region.

If you visit the Himalayan Mountains, ascend gradually to allow time for your body to adjust to the high altitude, which can cause insomnia, headaches, nausea, and altitude sickness. In addition, use sunblock rated at least 15 SPF, because the risk of sunburn is greater at high altitudes.

Adequate to excellent medical care is available in the major population centers, but is usually very limited or unavailable in rural areas. 

In the Spring of 2006, there were outbreaks of Avian Influenza in poultry in rural areas of the states of Maharasthra, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.  All of the outbreaks were contained.  There were no reported cases of the H5N1 virus in humans, however, and there have been no new reported outbreaks in wild or domesticated birds since that time.  Updates on the avian influenza situation in India are published on the Embassy's web site at http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov/acsinfluenza.html.

Indian health regulations require all travelers arriving from Sub-Saharan Africa or other yellow-fever areas to have evidence of vaccination against yellow fever.  Travelers who do not have such proof are subject to immediate deportation or a six-day detention in the yellow-fever quarantine center.  U.S. citizens who transit through any part of sub-Saharan Africa, even for one day, are advised to carry proof of yellow fever immunization.

Country Calling Code:  +91    
Internet Country Code:  .in