India: Vivir

Communities of Expatriates

The Number of Expatriates

There are 20,000 to 30,000 expatriates working in India and their number is growing, especially in the technology sector.

Blogs For Expats

AlloExpat.com
British Expat
Expat Blog
Expat Exchange

For Further Information

InternationalLiving.com
Incredible India

Immigration Authority

Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India

Transportation Companies For Moving/Removals

Moving to India
International Movers

Ranking of Cities

Cost of Living

The cost of living in the four major Indian cities - Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore - has increased over the past year primarily due to rise in real estate prices.

Quality of Life

Due to a bad health and sanitation system India ranks low in most of the "living quality" surveys

Sanitary Conditions

Indian cities score relatively poorly for health and sanitation. Delhi is considered as the most polluted city in the world after Mexico City.

For Further Information

The Mercer Human Resource Consulting ranking concerning the quality of life and sanitary conditions 
The Mercer Human Resource Consulting ranking concerning the cost of living

Renting an Apartment

Description of Apartments

BHK (Bedroom, Hall and Kitchen): it is preceded by the number of bed rooms:1 BHK = apartment with 1 bedroom, 1 living hall, attached with a kitchen.

Most apartments come with bathrooms & toilets and possibly a store-room.

Normal Lease Term

Varies from city to city; 6 months to 3 years.

Rental Costs

The security deposit varies from 3 -12 month’s rental, recoverable at the end of the lease period. Guarantee by a third party is not always necessary; can be negotiated with the landlord.

Agencies or Private Rentals

There are specialized rental agencies for the foreign communities. They offer rental conditions adapted to the needs of expatriates (rental for a shorter time, furnished apartments, and inclusion of electricity in the rent) and their fees are normally less expensive.

Private rentals are available in big cities.

Other Possibilities For Accommodation

Private houses called ‘bungalows’ are available, but rentals are high.

The Ministry of Tourism has recently allowed households to rent out 1-2 rooms to tourists – called ‘bread & breakfast’ scheme.

For Further Information

Real-estate portal in India: India Property
India Property Guide: 99acres.com
Real-estate portal in India: India Housing

School System

School Level

Education at school level in India is divided into Elementary (for 6-11 years old children) and Secondary (for 14-18 years old children) education systems.

Goa's educational standards are among the highest of the country

For more details, visit:
National Council of Educational Research & Training –NCERT;
Central Board of Secondary Education.

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International Schools

There are a large number of international schools in all major cities, which follow the British educational systems with high fees.

The website Directory of International Schools provides a list of international schools in India.

For Further Information

Ministry of Human Resources Development
Educational Consultants India Ltd.
Study Abroad.

Health System

Quality of Healthcare

There are State operated hospitals in all towns and cities and private consultants and specialists in urban areas. But health-care facilities in the country are limited and travelers are strongly advised to take out full comprehensive medical insurance and bring specific medicines along with them.

International Hospitals

International hospitals are not allowed to operate directly in India, but some of the private hospitals have tied up with international hospitals for technology & services transfer. Some of the hospitals of international standard operating in India are:
Apollo Hospitals;
Wockhardt Hospitals.

For more details, visit:
Mediescapes.com;
Incredible India.

Health Insurance

Yes

Accessibility of the Health Insurance Network to Foreigners

Limited to those who have been working in the country for a very long time. However international health insurance will provide foreigners coverage while traveling or living in India.

Health Ministry

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Tourism and Culture

Individual and Civic Freedoms

Political Freedom

People of India enjoy considerable political freedom and rights.

Civil Liberty

3/7

World Ranking of Freedom of the Press According to "Reporters sans Frontières", 2011 report : 131/179

Evolution: 9 places down compared to 2010

For Further Information, Consult Worldwide Press Freedom Index 2011, Reporters Without Borders

Free Access to the Internet

Unrestricted

Rule of Law

Guaranteed

Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights

Generally widespread.

Although the Constitution of India prohibits discrimination based on race, creed, sex, religion and social status, discrimination still exists against dalits (untouchables), people from other lower castes and underprivileged groups.

Women's Condition

Women in India have legal equality, but discrimination does exist in various walks of life.

The malign neglect of female children after birth remains a concern. Rape and other violence against women are serious problems.

Despite the fact that making demands for dowry is illegal, the practice continues.

For Further Information

National Commision for Women

Religion

Degree of Freedom

The right to practice one’s religion freely is constitutionally guaranteed and generally respected.

Beliefs

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

Role of Religion in Society

Majority of the Indians agree that religion plays a key role in their lives. Indians are generally tolerant of other religions and retain a secular outlook.

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