Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. These States/Union Territories have been designated as protected areas and foreigners cannot enter these areas without special permits. These permits are issued by the Under Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners Division, Lok Nayak Bhavan, Khan Market, New Delhi 110 003 at least 4 weeks before the date of the expected visit.

Health Regulation
Yellow fever: Any person (including infants) arriving by air or sea without a certificate is detained in insulation for a period up to 6 days if arriving within 6 days of departing from an infected area.

Malaria risk exists throughout the year in the whole country excluding parts of the States of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir and Sikkim. No certificate required, but a course of anti-malaria pills is recommended.

Drinking water: Bottled water is available and usually provided in flasks in hotel rooms. For people with delicate digestive systems. It is advisable to use bottled mineral water, this is widely available.

Facilities: It is advisable to bring specific medicines. There are state operated facilities in all towns and cities and private consultants and specialists in urban areas.

Language
The official language is Hindi in the Devanagri script. The States are free to decide their own regional languages for internal administration and education, so there are 18 official languages spoken throughout the country. English is widely spoken.

Tip
It is usual to tip waiters, porters, guides and drivers. Tips are not included in the bill.

Guides
Trained English speaking guides are available at fixed charges at all important tourist centres. The Govt. of India Tourist Offices can be contacted by tourists for the services of approved guides. French, Italian, Spanish, German, Russian and Japanese speaking guides are available at some cities. Please consult the nearest Govt. of India Tourist Office. Unapproved guides are not permitted to enter protected monuments, and tourists are, therefore, advised to ask the guides for the identity card issued by the Department of Tourism, Govt. of India.

Opening hours
These may vary from region to region. All international Hotels have a 24 hours money changing facility.

Banks:
10.00 to 14.00 (Mo. to Fr.), and 10.00 to 12.00 (Sat.).

Post Offices:
10.00 to 17.00 (Mo. to Fr.) and Sat. mornings, In big cities often longer.
 India Post

Shops:
09.30 to 18.00 (Mo. to Sat.).

Time
GMT + 5 1/2 hours.

Electricity
Voltage in most places is 220 volts AC, 50 cycles, although some areas also have DC supplies.

Photography
Special permission of the Archaeological Survey of India, New Delhi, is required for use of tripod and artificial light.

Photography in the wildlife sanctuaries is allowed on payment of a prescribed fee. Photography is prohibited in tribal areas.

Communications
Fax/Telex/Telegram: International 24-hours service from large hotels and telegraph offices in major cities.

Telephone: Telephone calls to most countries are now direct. There are telephone facilities between the most cities and towns.

The international direct dialing code for India is +91.