In short
- India runs on a handful of acronyms and a few everyday words that no one stops to explain.
- India counts in lakhs and crores, and groups digits differently: 1 lakh = 1,00,000 (100 thousand) and 1 crore = 1,00,00,000 (10 million = 100 lakh).
- Skim it once now; come back whenever a term trips you up.
India runs on a handful of acronyms and a few everyday words that no one stops to explain. Here they all are, the ones in this pack and the ones you'll hear from your landlord, your bank and your neighbours, in plain English. Skim it once now; come back whenever a term trips you up.
Indian numbers, quickly. India counts in lakhs and crores, and groups digits differently: 1 lakh = 1,00,000 (100 thousand) and 1 crore = 1,00,00,000 (10 million = 100 lakh). So “fifteen lakh” rent deposit = ₹15,00,000.
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Plain-English
The terms you'll meet
AadhaarIndia's 12-digit national ID. Optional for foreign nationals, passport-based KYC covers banking, your SIM and PAN, but you can enrol after 182 days for the convenience of Aadhaar e-KYC. For a foreigner it's valid only as long as your visa / FRRO permit.
ApostilleAn international certification that makes a home-country document (marriage, birth certificate) valid in India, if your country is in the Apostille Convention; otherwise the Indian embassy attests it. Arrange it at home, it takes weeks.
Bai / DidiHousehold help, a cook or house-cleaner. “Didi” (lit. elder sister) is a warm, respectful way to address her.
CroreTen million, written 1,00,00,000. ₹1 crore = ₹10 million = 100 lakh.
DISCOMDistribution Company, your electricity provider. You'll see the name on your power bill.
DTAADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement, the treaty that stops the same income being taxed in both India and your home country.
e-FRROThe government's online portal for foreigner registration, visa extensions and exit permits, no office visit needed.
FRROForeigners Regional Registration Office. Register within 14 days of arrival on any visa valid for more than 180 days (work visas are); on a shorter or capped visa, before day 180 if you will stay longer. Children under 12 and OCI cardholders are exempt.
Form CAn accommodation report your host, hotel or landlord, not you, must file within 24 hours of your check-in, and again within 24 hours of you leaving (Immigration & Foreigners Act 2025; the 2025 Rules call it Form III). Remind your landlord and keep a copy. See Renting Your Home.
Form 141 / 132The form you file to pay rent-TDS (Form 141, the old 26QC) and the certificate you hand your landlord (Form 132, the old 16C), needed if your rent tops ₹50,000/month. The numbers changed on 1 April 2026. See Renting Your Home.
IDPInternational Driving Permit, carried with your home licence, lets you drive in India for up to a year from its issue; the home licence alone is not valid here.
KabadiwalaThe door-to-door recycler who buys your scrap, paper and old goods for cash. A genuinely useful part of daily life.
KYC“Know Your Customer”, the ID verification you complete to get a SIM, a bank account or a wallet. Needs passport + visa.
LakhOne hundred thousand, written 1,00,000. ₹1 lakh = ₹100,000.
Leave & LicenseThe rental-agreement style used in Maharashtra (Mumbai/Pune), the owner licenses you to occupy, and it must be registered regardless of term. Elsewhere the equivalent is a 'lease'. See Renting Your Home.
LPG / PNGCooking gas. LPG comes in a refillable cylinder; PNG is piped natural gas, billed like a utility.
NRE / NRONon-resident bank accounts. As an assignee on local payroll you'll typically use a resident salary account instead, your consultant advises.
OCIOverseas Citizen of India, a long-term status for people of Indian origin. Different rules to a standard work visa.
PANPermanent Account Number, your 10-character tax ID. Needed for salary, banking and most large payments.
RNORResident but Not Ordinarily Resident, a transitional tax status in your early years that can shelter foreign income. Ask a tax adviser how it applies to you.
ROReverse Osmosis, the standard home water purifier. “RO water” means filtered, safe-to-drink water.
RWAResident Welfare Association, the residents' body that runs your housing society (maintenance, security, rules).
SocietyA gated apartment complex or residential community, and the management that runs it. “My society” = where you live.
TDSTax Deducted at Source, tax withheld upfront. Notably, 2% is deducted on rent above ₹50,000/month (you file it).
UPIUnified Payments Interface, India's instant, free phone-to-phone payment system. How the country pays for almost everything.
Visa (Employment / Dependent)Your entry category. An Employment visa is for a job in India; a Business visa covers business visits, not a job. The family of an Employment visa holder gets an Employment Dependent visa, once called an X visa.
Heard a word that isn't here? Ask us, we'll explain it and add it. No question is too small.
Your IKAN Relocations team