ON ARRIVAL

Landing on a different soil, miles away from your home and family can be very discomforting. Nothing can help you better than being prepared for this change. Knowing a little about the city you are going to land in, its customs, people and rules and regulations always helps.

Here is a list of things that you should keep in mind, after landing in India. 

Customs Formalities:

This is the first thing you'll need to take care of. Students are generally required to make an oral baggage declaration in respect of baggage and foreign currency in their possession as soon as they land in India. They are also required to obtain the Currency Declaration Form from the Customs. They should fill in the Disembarkation Card handed over to them by the airline during the course of the flight. 

There are two channels for clearance: 
Green Channel: For passengers not in possession of any dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage. 
Red Channel: For passengers in possession of dutiable articles or unaccompanied baggage or high value articles. High value articles are to be entered on the tourist Baggage Re-Export Form. 

Preferably arrange for someone to pick you up from the airport. Lot of hotels also arrange for an airport pickup. 

Ed.CIL facilitates reception of students on arrival at airport for students in a batch of five or more.

If you are on your own, then always go for a pre-paid cab. They are more reliable than the ones you would get outside the airport.

Exchange your foreign currency for some Indian rupees. It's better to make all payments in the local currency.

Carry handy change. A phone call from a public booth costs Rs.2. (This requires you to carry the coins.)

It's a good idea to purchase a city map right away, so that you don't loose your sense of direction in a new city. Maps are available at every bookshop at the airport.