The voltage in India is 230 volts. You will require a voltage converter if you are carrying a device that does not accept 230 Volts. Wall sockets accept plugs with two or three round pins. Should you wish to use appliances of 110 volts, most Conference Hotels will provide adapters on request but it may be useful to carry your own for convenience. Most laptops have adapters that accept 110-240 volts, but will still need plugs of the type shown below.

Typical Indian 3-Pin and 2-Pin plugs

Indian Standard Time (IST) is 5 hours 30 mins ahead of GMT.

All public areas are non-smoking except for specifically labelled smoking areas.

As a result of current legislation in the Indian states, it is generally illegal to serve alcohol in public places after 11:00 p.m. (23:00 hrs.). Therefore, as a general rule, kindly note that Absolutely No Alcoholic Beverages can be available at any bar (including those in hotels) after this cut-off time. Individuals who wish to continue to partake of alcoholic beverages after 11:00 p.m. (23:00 hrs.) may only do so via room service orders within hotels.

You may bring with you into India articles and gadgets for personal use – 200 cigarettes or 20 cigars or 250 gms of tobacco, and liquor and wines up to 2 litres. In case of expensive equipment which you will take back with you, it is recommended that on arrival, you declare to Customs officials your intention to take it back with you.

On your return you may take back, as accompanied baggage, souvenirs, including Indian silk, wool, handicrafts etc. without any limit, and gold and silver jewellery and handicrafts up to a value of Indian Rupees 100,000. Please note that the export of antiques and art objects more than 100 years old is restricted and that the export of wildlife products is prohibited.

The currency in India is the Rupee, which is in paper notes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 2,000. We suggest that you exchange your currency only at registered Exchange counters located at the airport, hotels & at many other points in the city. They will issue a certificate of exchange which is required at the time of re-conversion of any unused currency. Under the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999, it is an offence to exchange foreign currency other than through authorised money changers or banks. All major credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops. There are 24 hour ATM counters spread all over the city. Banks are usually open from Monday to Saturday, and are closed on Sundays.

All foreign nationals intending to participate in the Congress/ meeting, except those of Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives, are required to obtain an Indian VISA. There is no provision for ‘VISA on Arrival’ in India. No fee is charged for immigration facilities at the airports. VISA can be applied for in person or by post at the High commission/Embassy based in the country from where the participant intends to depart for India. VISA application form is available at the office of the Indian Embassy in the capital and other major cities of the country of your residence. All NRIs/PIOs, including children (who don't possess OCI or PIO card) need to apply for VISA in separate VISA forms. All the participants are advised to apply for either Tourist VISA or ‘Conference VISA only. The required documents are as mentioned below: