When India gained independence and was established as a republic, the Rupee (currency code: INR, symbol: ₹, and equivalent to: £0.011, $0.013 or €0.012) was adopted as the sole currency. The banking sector is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). In 2016, to counter corruption and illegal cash holdings, 1,000 INR notes were withdrawn from circulation, and new 2000 INR denomination banknotes were issued. The Indian numbering system is used to denote currency amounts, with 100,000 INR equaling 1 lakh and 100 lakh equaling 1 crore.   more ...

India is an ancient and very diverse country, both culturally and linguistically, and you will find that many languages are spoken here. If you are intending to live and work in India, you may be asking yourself how easily you will be able to communicate, particularly if you are a native English speaker. We will take a look at this complex situation below.   more ...

India is an increasingly popular expat destination, with a growing economy and some excellent opportunities both in terms of culture and business. There are, however, some barriers to starting a new life in India, including the difficulty in finding suitable accommodation. Properties that are both reasonably priced and good quality are difficult to come by in many cities, so the key is to conduct a thorough search.   more ...

The quality of healthcare available in India varies considerably, depending on whether you are using the public or the private sector, and whether you are based in a rural or an urban area. In practice, it is unlikely that you will encounter the public system outside of an emergency, as most expats take out private cover.   more ...

A chronic condition is defined as a health condition or disease that is persistent or otherwise long-lasting in its effects, or a disease that comes with time. If you suffer from a chronic condition while you are living and working in India, then you will need to carefully consider your healthcare options. This article looks at your treatment options in both the public and the private sector, and examines what kind of health insurance plan you may need.   more ...

India is a major tourist destination, and the diversity of the country’s landscape means that it can cater to a number of sporting activities. For example, there are various water sports on offer in coastal areas, such as Goa, including sailing, boating, river water rafting, kayaking, jet skiing, windsurfing and parasailing. Alternatively, you could visit the Himalayan north, where you can pursue activities like skiing and snowboarding – this is not a huge industry in India, but there are some very good resorts, including Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir. Whichever sport you choose to do, there are associated risks, so it’s important to make sure you have appropriate cover.   more ...

In India, your maternity options will depend on whether you are accessing maternity care in the public or the private sector. Most expats resident in the country will have private health insurance, and will not be dependent on the public healthcare system. It is not recommended that you give birth in a public hospital in India.   more ...

The Indian government has prioritised healthcare over recent decades, establishing a universal healthcare system and state medical insurance, and the system is continuing to develop under a new scheme, colloquially known as Modicare. However, the system is still overstretched and suffers from a number of limitations, including overcrowding and poor patient outcomes. As a result, many expats who are resident in the country opt for private health cover. We will look at some of your options below.   more ...

India is a fascinating place, but living and working there can be challenging. Western expats report high levels of culture shock, due in part to witnessing the extent of poverty in the country. As well as this, the labyrinthine Indian bureaucracy and the overcrowding in the cities can make India feel a little overwhelming. It is therefore important, when visiting India, to protect your mental health, which we will look at below.   more ...

The quality of cancer care you are offered in India will depend on whether you are seeking treatment in the public or the private sector. Overall, cancer care in the USA is of a higher quality than oncological care in India, although expats should note that cancer treatment in some private clinics in India is specialised, undertaken by highly qualified personnel, and of a very high quality.   more ...