Last updated: 14 Mar 2013
Visiting
Business hours
Businesses are open from 9.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.
Most government offices are open five days a week. However, private businesses may follow a five or six-day working week.
Public holidays
March 27 – Holi
March 29 – Good Friday
April 13 – Ram Navami
April 24 – Mahavir Jayanti
May 25 – Buddha Purnima
August 9 – Id-ul-Fitr
August 15 – Independence Day
August 28 – Janamashtami
October 2 – Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti
October 13 – Dussehra
October 16 – Bakrid
November 3 – Diwali
November 14 – Muharram
November 17 – Guru Nanak Jayanti
December 25 – Christmas
The above list covers the public holidays as per The Government of India. There are additional location and state specific holidays that are not covered above.
Climate
India's climate is tropical monsoon. There are four distinct seasons:
- Winter (January to February)
- Summer (March to May)
- Rainy south-western Monsoon (June to September)
- Post-monsoon (October to December)
For weather details in India, please visit the World Meteorological Organization.
Currency
Oanda currency converter
Indian monetary system consists of rupees (mostly 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 rupee currency notes) and paise (pronounced pay-say), which includes coins of 25 paise, 50 paise, 1 rupee and five rupee denominations.
Time zones and time differences
India is four-and-a-half hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time.
To find out the current time in New Delhi, view the World Clock.
Dialling codes
India's country code is 91.
For calls to India from Australia dial: 0011 + 91 + area code + telephone number.
For calls from India to Australia dial: 00 + 61 + area code + telephone number.
For further information (eg. area codes) please visit the White Pages - international dialling codes.
Electricity and water
India’s power supply is 220 volts, 50Hz 1, 3 phases, generally 2, 3 and 2, 4 wires. The round two-pin plugs are the most common.
Links and resources
Travel and tourism
Incredible India – www.incredibleindia.org
Please note: this list of websites and resources is not definitive. Inclusion in this list does not imply endorsement by Austrade. The information provided is a guide only.