The rupee (Rs) is divided into 100 paise (p). There are coins of 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 paise, and Rs 1, 2 and 5, and notes of Rs 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500. In 1996, the Reserve Bank of India decided to stop printing Rs 1, 2 and 5 notes, but there may still be a sprinkling of these in circulation.

It's usually no problem changing money in capital cities and tourist hotbeds. Charges for changing travellers cheques vary from place to place and bank to bank. It is advisable to have some US dollars or UK pounds sterling in cash in case you are unable to change travellers cheques or use a credit card, especially in smaller towns. Many off-the-beaten-track places may not offer any money-changing facilities at all, so take along an adequate stock of Rupees.

Most major cities and tourist centers accept credit cards, with MasterCard and Visa being the most widely accepted. Cash advances on major credit cards can be made at banks of larger cities. Credit cards are accepted at most top-end hotels and a rapidly growing number of mid-range ones.

Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi, plus a few (but slowly growing number of) larger towns, including Jaipur and Ahmedabad, have ATMs that accept Cirrus, Maestro, MasterCard and Visa. However, you should definitely not rely on them as your sole source of cash, especially if you're planning to travel beyond the big cities.

Andaman Islands - Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be converted at State Bank of India. Some larger hotels have foreign exchange facilities and only up-market hotels accept credit cards.