Stay healthy
Avoid tap water, and any food that may have been washed in it, at all times. No ice, no salads and no fruit you haven't just peeled yourself.
Many travellers go veggie whilst in India. It's not a bad idea. A dodgy bit of meat will do you a lot more harm than slightly undercooked vegetables. Plus, many Indians are vegetarian, so there's a fabulous choice of vegetarian food. If you do eat meat, make sure it's well cooked. If in doubt, eat at a place that's packed with locals.
Toilets are notoriously bad in India, but they don't have to be health hazards. Remember to use your left hand only to wipe. The right hand is for eating! Carry hand sanitizer or soup with you to wash up.
Wash your hand regularly. Carry with you disinfectant wipes to use after touching surfaces over the day and especially before eating.
Eat with your hands, or rather, hand
Cutlery-free noshing is standard in many parts of India - but never use your left hand, which is the one you use in the toilet! Eating with your hands can be a great option if you have doubts about the cleanliness of utensils.
Food Republic gives a great guide to eating with your hands
India:
‘First, always remember to wash your hands thoroughly. This is obvious, but crucial. Using your right hand (don’t try touching the plate with your left hand — sorry, lefties), scoop the food (usually, curry, veggies or meat) onto flatbread (naan, roti or chapati) with a twist of your wrist. Using your fingertips, bring the food to your mouth. Things to remember: don’t bring the plate to your mouth — lower your head instead — take small amounts of food each time, make sure the food does not touch your palms and don’t put your fingers into your mouth. The secret? Use your thumbs to push the food inside. While some think eating with your hands makes the food taste better (you’re able to mix the food to a consistency you like), others believe it feeds your mind, not just your stomach, by offering a personal connection with your food.’
Bargaining like a local
Bargaining is a very important, and even expected, part of shopping at markets in India. Here's the best way to go about it to make sure you don't pay too much at India's markets.
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To get a feel for how much goods should cost, visit some fixed price stores first.
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In street markets, as a general rule, don't pay more than half the initial asking price of any items. Sometimes it's possible to pay less, especially if you buy more than one item. *If the vendor says the price is 1,200 rupees, never pay more than 600 rupees, but start negotiating at 300.
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Never reveal how much you're interested in an item. Always pretend to be indifferent as to how much you want it.
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If the shop keeper isn't dropping the price enough, walk away. Usually this will result in an immediate reduction in the asking price. If it doesn't, it's an indication that your price is too low. You can either go back and keep negotiating, or try and find the item cheaper somewhere else.
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Keep in mind that bargaining is meant to be fun. Many shop keepers enjoy it, as the interaction breaks up the monotony of their day.
Dress Conservatively
Although it may be hot out, be aware that India has a relatively modest culture. Especially for women isn’t considered safe or appropriate to be wearing clothing such as shorts and tank tops.
Covering arms and legs is a simple step toward respecting this. Indians are forgiving of those who aren’t familiar with their culture, but you can quickly make a good impression by, for instance, removing your shoes before entering someone’s home. This is particularly important when entering a sacred space, like a temple. Also, if you see shoes outside a shop, it’s a sign to remove your own.
Read more: http://www.roughguides.com/article/india-ten-tips-for-first-time-travellers/#ixzz3qhucYkcZ
Women: this blog has some great tips on what to pack: http://thetravelhack.com/travel-tips/women-wear-travelling-india/
Practice Patience
The rules of saving face loosely apply in India as well. Strive to never lose your cool in public, you'll likely make matters worse for yourself rather than solving whatever discrepancy you encountered.
With well over a billion people squeezed into the subcontinent, you'll have to get used to crowds of people. Don't be surprised when people often bump and shove their way through a queue, if there is one at all! Hold your ground and be polite -- but not too polite -- or you may never get service.
Go to http://goasia.about.com/od/healthandsafety/a/India-Travel-Tips.htm for more tips on how to stay safe, healthy, and happy in India!
India Travel Guides online and for purchase:
http://www.roughguides.com/destinations/asia/india/