FACT GUIDE |
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At a Glance
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New Delhi lies at the geographical heart of northern India. Its strategic position along the north-south and east-west routes have given it a focal position in Indian history—many great empires have been ruled from here. Today, Delhi is a blend of old and new, a proudly traditional social structure within a modern liberalized economy.
Language
Hindi, with English widely spoken
Population
14 million people
Time Zone
GMT + 5.5 hours
Measures
Metric System
Voltage
220-240 volts
Mobile Phones
GSM/CDMA
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All travelers need a visa to enter India. There are three types of visas for tourists, available from Indian Consular Offices around the world: the 15-day single/double entry visa, the 90-day visa, or the longer multiple-entry visa for six months. There are certain places in India that are restricted areas which require special permits. These areas include Sikkim, the Northeastern states, Andaman and
Nico bar Islands and Lakshwadweep.
Business visas are valid for one or more years with multiple entries. A letter from a sponsoring organization indicating nature of business, duration of stay, and places/companies to be visited is most often required in order to attain this visa.
For more information please contact the Indian consulate closest to you or visit the Embassy of India online. |
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Currency |
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The unit of currency is the rupee (R), and is divided into 100 paisa . Money and
travelers cheques can be exchanged at the banks exchange counters. Major credit cards are accepted in the hotel and departmental stores. However cash is required in the local markets. 24-hour automated teller machines (ATMs) are widely available throughout the city, although they may be difficult to find once beyond the city limits. Here are the most recent exchange rates for some common currencies. |
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INR 1.00 equals:
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- .02US Dollar (USD)
- .03Australian Dollar (AUD)
- .02Euro (EUR)
- .01British Pound (GBP)
- 1.00Indian Rupee (INR)
- 2.60Japanese Yen (JPY)
- .03New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- .03Singapore Dollar (SGD)
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Taxes
There is a 12.5% luxury tax on all hotel rooms in India.
Expect a Value Added Tax (VAT)of 12.5% to 20% on food and beverage purchases.
Expect a 10.2% service charge on all transportation fees and ticket purchases. |
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Tipping
Tipping is not customarily practised in New Delhi. |
Business Hours
Bank Hours
9am to 6pm
Office Hours
9am to 6pm
Shop Hours
9am to 9pm
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Public Health
A valid yellow fever certificate is mandatory for all persons including infants who have visited Africa, South America or Papua New Guinea within six days of entering India. The certificate becomes valid ten days after vaccination. India does not require immunization against small pox and Cholera.
Drinking water from the tap is not recommended. Bottled drinking water is available in every hotel room.
During the winter months the city air can become quite smoggy. Asthmatic travelers should carry their medication at all times. |
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Dress
Indian traditional dress is the saree . However, in northern India the traditional attire is called salwar kameez. Younger people generally dress in western clothing. People wear formal as well as traditional outfits at work.
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Weather
New Delhi has a wide-ranging climate. Summer in northern India is very hot, and often humid, with temperatures as high as 48C (118F) seen regularly from May to June. It is advisable to wear light shoes and loose-fitted cotton clothes that cover your arms and legs, protecting you from both sun and insects.
The July and August monsoon months that follow are quite humid. Expect temperatures ranging from 32C to 38C (90F to 100F) with moderate showers.
The months between September and November are the best months to visit Delhi, with cool, dry temperatures ranging between 24C and 28C (75F to 82F). Expect cooler temperatures of 3C – 18C (37F-65F) between November and February, when gloves and wool clothes are useful.
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