Living In India Expat Guide -that will be the topic of today’s article.
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Introduction
When you think of a bold and unabashed country, life in India greets its visitors with unique cultural and social elements. Like we’ve mentioned in our previous article, moving to India expat guide, you’ll enjoy this country. Besides, it goes without saying that the beauty of traveling is experiencing.
But, India can be challenging to the unknowing cultural etiquettes. And what kind of guidance would be given if we’re not here to render assistance and saying a few hard truths about the country? For many expats, traveling internationally can be an incredibly relaxing, carefree experience with the biggest hitch of being delayed at the embassy.
Guess what! If you’re reading this site, you likely agree with me that the magic of life only starts when you begin to explore out your comfort zone. And India will definitely push you out of one! Aside from this fact, it’s impossible to truly experience a new country and its culture without facing realities.
Life in India involves vast gaps between the rich and poor. With that being said, the country is the second-most populated nation in the world. Meanwhile, this contributes to why the country is rich in culture, far surpassing that of the United States and other designated regions in the world today.
Now, it’s high time you understand all it takes to live in India. In this article, we will walk you through the cost of living in India. Not only that, but you’ll understand the facts about India’s living conditions and the country’s immigration entry requirements, the practical guide to live in India, and the jobs opportunities.
Facts about India Living Condition
Research made it known that two-thirds of people in India live in poverty. According to World Health Organization, nearly 68.8 percent of the entire Indian population lives on less than an average of 2 USD a day. Not only has that, but over 30 percent out of this population had less than 1.25 USD per day.
With the said estimation, we could say that’s one of the things that led to this subcontinent been among the poorest countries in the world. In fact, women and children are among the weakest members of Indian society that suffer the most. So, it’s only a small percentage that has benefited from India’s economy.
Poverty Rate in India
When we say poverty rate in India, more than 800 million people in India are considered inferior. Besides, many of these citizens live in the countryside and keep afloat with odd jobs to survive. At the same time, the lack of employment provides a livable wage in rural areas, therefore driving many Indians crazy.
Furthermore, poverty in India impacts children, families, and every individual in different ways, such as malnutrition, lack of education, child marriage, child labor, and high infant mortality. Without further ado, let’s quickly highlight the concept and explain it one after the other.
● High Infant Mortality in India – An average estimated 1.4 million children die each year in India before their fifth birthday. In addition to some countries like Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, and China, India remain the country with the highest child mortality rates.
● Malnutrition in India – When you think that your country of residence is the first to malnutrition, maybe you’ve never been to India. Today, the country is one of the world’s top countries when it comes to malnutrition. In fact, more than 250 million people don’t have access to food.
● Child Labor in India – The country child labor in India under 14 is prohibited by law. But aid agencies, in reality, say 65 million children between the age of 6 and 14 years do not have access to education.
● Lack of Education in India – The lack of education in India is becoming increasingly popular. According to UNICEF, about 25 percent of the children in India have no access to education, while the number of children excluded from school is higher among girls than boys.
● Child Marriage in India – Since the mother and daughters are impacted by poverty, it is still widespread in many regions. Besides, many children die at birth, while those who survive to get married before they are of legal age.
● HIV/AIDS in India – Because HIV/AIDS is taboo in Indian society, research made it known that nearly 2.7 million Indians are infected with HIV yearly. In fact, more and more children are living with so-called AID orphans, which are often being infected with the virus too.
Unattainable Employment Opportunities
In India, employment opportunities are routinely unattainable to people considered as lower social class. Even though this concept is not often mentioned, the status quo of the caste system is ingrained into the nation, making few people secure employment opportunities in the country.
Getting Around in India
Getting around in India is relatively easy and fast. With so many options between trains, cars, planes, and more, you’ll feel overwhelmed while trying to make your way around it. Meanwhile, roads are considered the best options in India, and you can get around via taxi, bus, motorbikes, and rickshaws.
Local Laws in India
There may be various penalties for breaking the law in India. Hobbies involving cameras and binoculars, like bird-watching or plane spotting, may be misunderstood in military sites. This way, the country’s family law is different from the UK and The U.S laws.
The laws governing alcohol vary from state to state. While alcohol consumption is prohibited in places like Mizoram, Nagaland, Gujarat, and Bihar, there is a partial ban in some districts in Manipur. Also, this law extends to smoking and the use of illegal drugs in the country.
India Population Diversity
The Republic of India is in South Asia, and it emerged as the second-most populous country in the world. Overall, India is an enormous and varied place with different genetic, linguistic, sartorial diversity, and culinary that is often found in a continent.
Indian Healthcare System
There’s a need to talk about the healthcare system in India. For an expat not to battle with healthcare, it’s essential to walk you through the system. Essentially, a three-tier structure defined the Indian healthcare system. They include; primary, secondary, and tertiary care services. Below are the cons of the Indian public healthcare system.
Inadequate Infrastructure – We’re giving the negative aspect of living in India, but we have to explain why living in India is exceptionally good or bad for expats. It’s no doubt that the country has been struggling with deficient infrastructure in the form of a lack of well-equipped medical institutes for quite a year now.
Shortage of Trained Personnel – Shortage of trained personnel remains one of the problems of the Indian healthcare system. However, the government has provided extraordinary measures for foreigners to enjoy the country’s healthcare system while they abide by COVID-19 restrictions and measurements.
Unmanageable Patient-Load – Unmanageable patient load could be one of the primary healthcare systems. Therefore, don’t be surprised when you see plenty of queues in public healthcare facilities. Even before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare facilities had been feeling the strain due to the patient load.
Cost of Living in India (2021)
India is beautiful, and it’s one of the enormous countries with tons of outdoor activities. Before we dive into the best places to live in India, you must know what it takes to live in the country. We will touch on what the average cost is and also explain the average salaries for an expat in India.
According to salary explorer, an average person working in India typically earns around 31,900 INR per month, while the average salaries include transport, housing, and other benefits. From our analysis below, you’ll see a gap between the highest and lowest average salaries in the country.
India Comparisons to other Countries
One of the biggest financial hurdles you’ll likely face in your move to India will be converting your move to Indian currency. While you can use different banks or services, they often charge exorbitant fees for exchange rates. But, an excellent way to make sure you don’t get take is to use an online currency converter.
The following table will outline how much rupees are worth compared to other major currencies and the apartment prices in the major cities.
| Basic Cost of living | 1 Bedroom Flat in city | 2 Bedroom Flat in city | Transportation cost |
| Prices in New Delhi | 15,970 rupee | 1,000 Rupee | 900 Rupee |
| Prices in Mumbai | 38,100 Rupee | 1,200 Rupee | 500 Rupee |
| Prices in London, UK | 140,300 Rupee | 4,800 Rupee | 11,600 Rupee |
| Prices in New York City | 193,800 Rupee | 4,900 Rupee | 7,800 Rupee |
| Prices in Berlin | 56,300 Rupee | 3,000 Rupee | 6,500 Rupee |
| Prices in Sydney | 135,000 Rupee | 4,500 Rupee | 8,200 Rupee |
Most Expensive and Cheapest Cities
The cost of living in India’s cities can vary greatly depending on your budget, size, and location. Some of the most expensive cities in this country include Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata. Without further ado, let’s quickly walk you through the most expensive cities in India.
Mumbai (India)
When you think of Mumbai, the first thing that should come to your mind is to explore several outdoor activities. Guess what! You’ll experience more than the outdoor activities. Mumbai is known as the financial capital of India and a significant hub for business, trade, and commerce. With this in mind, there’s no surprise that Mumbai is ranked as the most populous city in the country.
With such a massive flow of people and economy, Mumbai was always bound to be an expensive city to live in. Aside from this fact, the cost of living in Mumbai depends on various parameters like accommodation, transport, food, and many others, to mention a few. Below is the living cost in Mumbai.
| Description | Bachelors (Mumbai) | Couples (Mumbai) | Families (Mumbai) |
| Accommodation cost | 6,000 – 9,000 | 12,000 – 20,000 | 15,000 – 40,000 |
| Groceries cost | 1,500 – 3,000 | 5,000 – 10,000 | 10,000 – 25,000 |
| Transportation cost | 2,000 – 15,000 | 5,000 -10,000 | 15,000 – 17,000 |
| Utility cost | 3,000 – 4,000 | 2,500 – 3,500 | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| Entertainment cost | 4,000 – 7,000 | 4,000 – 5,0000 | 5,000 – 6,500 |
New Delhi (India)
The cost of living in this city depends on your lifestyle, the size of your family, and your expense. We have compiled a list of what to expect in New Delhi as of 2021. Meanwhile, there are rental options galore across the city, giving you a considerable amount of living expenses in the country.
| Property Type (New Delhi) | Renting An Apartment | Buying a House (New Delhi) |
| Affordable Apartment | Less than 15,000 Rupee | Up to $20 lakh |
| Mid-range house | 15,000 to about 40,000 Rupee | Up to 2 Rupee crore |
| Luxury house in New Delhi | 60,000 Rupee or more | 3 Rupee or more |
Kolkata (India)
It’s no doubt that Kolkata is among the most affordable city for couples in India. Based on buying or renting a home, the cost involved in commuting to and fro, cost of household utilities, and more ranges from 10,000 Rupee to 50,000 Rupee. Now, let’s walk you through the detailed analysis in 2021.
| Accommodation cost | Transportation | Utilities/Clothing |
| 8,000 – 20,000 Rupee | One-way (9 to 20 Rupee | Basic Heating cost 1,500 rupee |
| 2 BHK cost 12,000 – 30,000 | Monthly pass (170 – 600) rupee | Shoes cost 1,400 to 4,000 Rupee |
| Paying guest (PG) cost 5,000 | Taxi (1km) cost 13 to 50 Rupee | Internet cost 450 to 1,000 rupee |
Employment Opportunity for Expats (India)
While India boasts one of the biggest and fastest-growing economies on the planet, it’s a prime destination for anyone who has a dream to work and live in the country. What can you expect when preparing to work in India? Well, worry less, as we got you covered with the tips and all that it takes. Moreover, the following are the kind of jobs every expat can explore in the country.
- IT and Engineering
- Tourism and banking
- Sales and marketing
- Pharmaceuticals
- Financial services and Automotive
- Manufacturing
Finding a Work as an Expat
When you’re ready to start the job hunting process, there are a few paths that you can take to find a real job that suits your qualifications. While we are walking you through the expat guide, below are the ways to find work as an expat in the country.
- Networking is a great strategy that you can implement if you’re hoping to get a job in the country as an expat. This way, having the right connections might help you land the right job more quickly and easily than you’d ever imagined.
- If you’re currently employed, and your employer has offices in India, that might be an opportunity to relocate to India. Through a transfer within the company that you’re already working for, you might also achieve your dream to live in the country.
- Signing up with a well-known and established recruitment agency in the country is another wise way to get valuable support during your job hunt.
- Do you have some specific companies you’d like to work for? Are they located in India? If the answer sounds like a YES, you can check their websites to keep track of job opportunities abroad.
- Also, job portals and other online resources can provide helpful access to job openings that you can apply to whenever you’re ready to work in the country.
Requirements to Work in India
Anyone who is planning on working in India will need to apply for an employment visa. Aside from this fact, you’ll need to have a work visa, and your employer could get you the right paperwork filed on time. To be eligible for an Indian employment visa, you might need to comply with the following rules.
- You must be a foreign language teacher
- You should be involved in an NGO, or you’re an interpreter
- You should be in a senior management position within an international business
- It would be best if you were a remunerated consultant, sportsman, coach, and many more
Indian Immigration Entry Requirements
Indian immigration is quite challenging in recent times because of the COVID-19 requirements. However, the consulates require you to make a personal appearance to obtain a visa to India. We recommend that you check the following immigration requirements for an India visa.
- Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the validity of your requested visa
- Your photograph must be taken within the last three months and printed on high-quality photo paper
- You must provide a copy of your driver’s license while your passport will be shipped under your present address.
- Aside from this fact, you must sign and complete the additional particulars form found in this kit. More so, you can provide the VisaCentral Order Form included in this kit.
Practical Guide to Live In India
Without a doubt, you should know that over 1.3 billion people are currently living in India. If you’re about to join the queue of expats relocating to this country, you need to get more information on this multi-faceted country. Our guide will walk you through the cultural experience, buying goods/services, and more.
Understanding Indian Culture
The Indian culture varies as the population of the country is becoming increasingly popular in recent years. Don’t be surprised to see people speaking different languages in the country. Aside from this fact, they dress uniquely, follow a different religion, eat differently, but they have nearly the same temperament.
So, whether it’s a joyous occasion or a moment of grief, people whole-heartedly feel joyous and pains at the same time. Since the country is full of festivals, it’s pretty okay to understand the national public holiday before you travel. Also, the whole community is involved in bringing liveliness to any occasion.
Religious/Culture in India
Since its inception, India has been recognized as the birthplace of Hinduism and Buddhism, which are the largest religions in the world. Again, Hinduism has many variations, including Shavia, Shakteya, Smarta, and the Vaishnava. Meanwhile, about 13 percent of Indians are Muslim, making it one of the most prominent Islamic nations in the world.
Architecture and Arts in India
The most well-known example of Indian architecture is the Taj Mahal; the Mughal emperor builds that to honor his third wife. Not only for this factor, but India is also known for its film industry that’s often known as Bollywood. The country’s movie began in 1896, and as of today, they are known for their elaborate singing and dancing folkways.
Indian Clothing and Lifestyle
When it comes to Indian clothing, it always comprises traditional pieces for both men and women. You can see their men wearing a kurta, a loose shirt worn about knee-length, while the women wear a shorter version. For special occasions, men love to wear a sherwani, a long coat with a collar.
Indian Customs and Celebrations
In today’s modern century, Diwali remains the largest and most important holiday in India, according to the National Geographic measures. This celebration is a five-day festival known as the festival of lights because the lights lit during the celebration symbolize the inner light from spiritual darkness. Not only this, but the country also celebrates Republic Day (January 26th), Independence Day (August 15th), and Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday (October 2nd).
Frequently Asked Questions by Expat (India)
- What are the official languages of India? As said earlier, the official language is Hindi, with English as a secondary official language.
- What is the country’s literacy percentage? Of course, there are educated elites in India, and the literacy rate stands at 74.4 percent in recent years.
- Can I move to India without a visa? Although there are visa-exemption countries but if you’re not on the list (your country), you’ll need to get a visa.
Conclusion
Life in India can be joyous, colorful, challenging, stressful, and chaotic but never boring. Most of Indian’s population lives in smaller cities or rural areas. So, if you’re relocating to India, we advise you to live within your budget. Nonetheless, check this guide for more information about living in India costs and prices.
