Set Up in the Right Indian City
City and state guides with office costs, talent pools, SEZs, startup policies, and local regulations to help you pick the best location for your India business.
Cities
Major Business Hubs
18 city guides
Ahmedabad
India's emerging fintech capital with GIFT City SEZ, low operating costs, and a thriving industrial ecosystem — your gateway to western India.
Bangalore
India's Silicon Valley and Asia's largest tech talent hub — home to 2M+ software developers, 40% of India's Global Capability Centres, and the world's second-largest AI talent cluster.
Chandigarh
India's best-planned city and North India's emerging IT hub with the 250-acre Rajiv Gandhi Technology Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Capitol Complex, and exceptional quality of life.
Chennai
India's auto capital and southern IT powerhouse — home to 4,500+ software companies, Asia's largest IT park at SIPCOT, and direct port connectivity for manufacturing operations.
Coimbatore
India's engineering powerhouse offers 25,000+ SMEs, a deep manufacturing talent pool, and 40-50% lower operating costs than Chennai or Bangalore.
Delhi-NCR
India's National Capital Region spans three states and offers foreign companies zero professional tax, 250+ Fortune 500 neighbours in Gurugram, India's busiest airport, and unmatched proximity to central government and regulators.
Goa
India's premier lifestyle business destination offers zero professional tax, generous startup incentives, and a growing tech ecosystem for foreign companies seeking work-life balance.
Gurgaon
India's corporate capital with 250+ Fortune 500 companies, world-class DLF Cyber City infrastructure, and seamless Delhi-NCR connectivity for global enterprises.
Hyderabad
India's most affordable metro for Grade A office space, with 9 lakh+ IT professionals and the world's largest life sciences cluster at Genome Valley.
Indore
Central India's commercial capital offers foreign companies competitive office costs, a growing IT ecosystem anchored by Crystal IT Park SEZ, and direct connectivity to India's manufacturing heartland — with Grade A rents 60-70% lower than Mumbai.
Jaipur
Rajasthan's capital and India's Gem City — with no professional tax, North India's largest SEZ, and a booming IT ecosystem at 40–60% lower costs than Delhi-NCR.
Kochi
Kerala's commercial capital offers world-class IT infrastructure, a rapidly growing talent pool, and strategic port connectivity for foreign companies entering India.
Kolkata
Eastern India's commercial capital with cost-effective Grade A offices, a deep talent pool, and India's largest leather and jute industry clusters.
Lucknow
Uttar Pradesh's capital city offers foreign companies zero Professional Tax, a strategic Defence Industrial Corridor node, and India's largest state consumer market of 240 million people — with office costs 50-70% below Delhi-NCR.
Mumbai
India's financial capital offers foreign companies unmatched access to capital markets, a deep BFSI talent pool, and the country's busiest commercial port — all within a city that generates 6.16% of India's GDP.
Noida
North India's premier IT hub with 43.4 million sq ft of Grade A office space, a dedicated SEZ, and direct connectivity to Delhi and the newly operational Noida International Airport.
Pune
India's fastest-growing IT city — 97% surge in office absorption, 15% of the national tech workforce, and a thriving ecosystem of 450+ IT companies and global capability centres.
Visakhapatnam
India's 'City of Destiny' offers foreign companies a rare combination: a deep-water port, established SEZs across IT and pharma, a Naval shipbuilding hub, and a 50,000-strong IT workforce — with Google's $6 billion data centre investment signalling the city's future trajectory.
States
State-Level Policies
37 state guides
Andhra Pradesh
Navigate AP's SEZs, pharma hubs, and compliance landscape — from Visakhapatnam's IT corridor to Sri City's manufacturing ecosystem
Andhra Pradesh Stamp Duty
Stamp duty in Andhra Pradesh is 5% of a property's market or guideline value (whichever is higher), plus 1% registration charges and 1.5% transfer duty — a total cost of 7.5% for sale deeds. Gift deeds attract 3% stamp duty plus 0.5% registration and 1.5% transfer duty, totalling 5%. This guide covers rates, registration, and compliance for foreign companies in AP.
Delhi
India's national capital with the highest per capita income (INR 5.31 lakh), no professional tax, 86% services-driven economy, and direct access to central government, embassies, and global headquarters.
Delhi Professional Tax
Delhi is one of the few Indian states and union territories that does not levy professional tax — a meaningful cost advantage for foreign companies establishing subsidiaries in India's capital.
Delhi Stamp Duty
Delhi charges stamp duty of 6% (up to INR 25 lakh) or 7% (above INR 25 lakh) for male buyers on property purchases, 4%/5% for female buyers, and 5%/6% for joint ownership, plus 1% registration. Lease agreements attract 2% of average annual rent for terms up to 5 years, rising to 3% for 5-10 year leases — key costs for foreign companies setting up offices in Delhi.
Gujarat
India's most industrialised state with a USD 349 billion GSDP, 30.7% of national exports, GIFT City IFSC, and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor transforming manufacturing and fintech.
Gujarat Professional Tax
Gujarat's professional tax (PT) slab runs from nil up to INR 5,999/month, INR 80 for INR 6,000–8,999, INR 150 for INR 9,000–11,999, and INR 200 for INR 12,000 and above — capped at INR 2,500 per year. Employers need a PTRC and self-employed professionals need a PTEC, both registered through the Gujarat Commercial Tax Department portal, with payments due monthly or quarterly.
Gujarat Stamp Duty
Stamp duty in Gujarat is 4.9% on property transactions — the same rate for all buyers regardless of gender — plus a 1% registration fee that is waived only when the property is held in the sole name of a female buyer. Separate rates apply to lease agreements, mortgages, partnership deeds, hypothecation, share transfers, and company MOA/AOA, all governed by the Gujarat Stamp Act, 1958 as amended in 2025.
Haryana
India's automotive powerhouse and Gurugram's world-class IT corridor — Haryana offers foreign companies unmatched Delhi-NCR connectivity, skilled talent, and competitive incentives.
Haryana Stamp Duty
Navigate Haryana's stamp duty framework for property purchases, commercial leases, and industrial land — crucial for foreign companies setting up in Gurugram, Manesar, and other Haryana business hubs.
Karnataka
India's technology capital and the world's 4th-largest tech cluster. Karnataka attracts 21% of national FDI, hosts 500+ R&D centres, and leads in IT, biotech, and aerospace. Beacon Filing handles every compliance requirement.
Karnataka Professional Tax
e-Prerana (ptax.karnataka.gov.in) is the Karnataka Commercial Taxes Department's online portal for registering, paying, and filing professional tax (PT) — the state levy capped at INR 2,500 per year for employees earning INR 25,000 or more per month. This guide covers employer (PTRC) and self-employed (PTEC) registration on the portal, the revised 2025-26 slab rates, due dates, penalties, and exemptions for foreign companies operating in Karnataka.
Karnataka Stamp Duty
Stamp duty on lease agreements in Karnataka ranges from 0.5% to 3% of the average annual rent, advance, premium, and fine depending on lease tenure — 0.5% up to 1 year, 1% for 1-10 years, 2% for 10-20 years, and 3% for 20-30 years, with leases beyond 30 years taxed as a full conveyance. This page also covers property, share transfer, MOA/AOA, and partnership deed rates.
Karnataka Startup Policy
Complete guide to Karnataka's startup ecosystem for foreign entrepreneurs and investors — covering the Startup Policy 2022-2027, Elevate grants up to INR 50 lakh, INR 100 crore VC fund, patent reimbursement, SGST refund, stamp duty exemptions, and Beyond Bengaluru cluster support.
Kerala
Navigate Kerala's IT parks, startup ecosystem, and compliance framework — from Technopark to Infopark and beyond
Kerala Professional Tax
Kerala professional tax is paid half-yearly, not monthly: the April-September instalment is due by 31 August and the October-March instalment by 28/29 February. Rates follow a slab system starting at Nil, capped at Rs. 2,500 per year under Article 276 of the Constitution. Employers must register before deducting and remitting the tax from employee salaries.
Madhya Pradesh
Central India's emerging industrial powerhouse with India's first greenfield SEZ, competitive costs, a young workforce, and progressive startup incentives for foreign investors.
Madhya Pradesh Professional Tax
Everything foreign companies need to know about professional tax obligations, employer registration, payment deadlines, and state compliance requirements in Madhya Pradesh under the Vritti Kar Adhiniyam, 1995.
Maharashtra
India's largest state economy contributing 14% of national GDP, attracting 31% of India's FDI, and home to Mumbai — the country's financial capital. Beacon Filing guides foreign companies through every compliance requirement.
Maharashtra Professional Tax
Slab rates, registration process, PTRC/PTEC requirements, due dates, and penalties under the Maharashtra State Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings and Employments Act, 1975
Maharashtra Stamp Duty
Stamp duty on transfer of shares in Maharashtra is 0.015% of the consideration value; for physical transfers this falls under Article 62(a) of the Maharashtra Stamp Act, 1958 and is payable by the transferee through GRAS with proof attached to the share transfer form (SH-4), while demat transfers have the duty collected automatically by NSDL/CDSL. This guide also covers stamp duty rates for leases, MOA/AOA, conveyance deeds, and other corporate instruments in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra Startup Policy
Maharashtra's 2025 Startup, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Policy funds startups through the Rs 500 crore Chief Minister MahaFund, seed funding up to Rs 25 lakh, and collateral-free loans of Rs 5-10 lakh with 50% interest subsidy. Additional incentives include 100% stamp duty exemption on land purchases and IPR reimbursement up to Rs 20 lakh, all accessible through the MSInS and MAITRI single-window portals.
Odisha
India's mineral powerhouse and gateway to the east, with the largest aluminium and steel capacity, five operational SEZs in Bhubaneswar, India's biggest east coast port, and office costs from just INR 20/sq ft.
Punjab
India's breadbasket state with a diversified manufacturing base, emerging IT hub in Mohali, strategic Delhi-NCR proximity, and a newly launched Industrial Policy 2026 offering up to 100% incentives on fixed capital investment.
Rajasthan
Navigate Rajasthan's tax, compliance, and registration landscape — from Jaipur's IT hubs to the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor
Rajasthan Stamp Duty
Stamp duty in Rajasthan is 6% of property value for male or joint buyers, 5% for women (4% for SC/ST/BPL women), with no urban/rural split. An additional 1% registration fee and surcharges totalling 30-33% of the stamp duty apply, taking the effective cost to approximately 6.32% to 8.98%. RIPS 2024 can reimburse up to 100% of stamp duty paid for eligible manufacturing and service enterprises.
Tamil Nadu
India's second-largest state economy with 9.4% GDP contribution, a decade-high 11.19% growth rate, and leadership in automobile manufacturing, IT, and electronics. Beacon Filing manages your complete compliance journey.
Tamil Nadu Professional Tax
Tamil Nadu's professional tax slab rates, which remain applicable for FY 2026-27, cap professional tax at INR 2,500 per year (INR 1,250 per half-year) once half-yearly income exceeds INR 75,000. The Greater Chennai Corporation and other municipal bodies collect the tax on a half-yearly cycle, with payments due 30 September and 31 March under the Tamil Nadu Municipal Laws Act.
Tamil Nadu Stamp Duty
An indemnity bond in Tamil Nadu carries the same stamp duty as an ordinary bond — typically 1% of the bond amount. Related instruments have their own fixed rates: an affidavit or declaration costs INR 200, a family release deed is 1% of the property value, and property conveyance attracts 7% stamp duty plus a 4% registration fee.
Telangana
India's fastest-growing state economy with a 10.7% GSDP growth rate, world-class IT infrastructure in Hyderabad, and a thriving pharma and aerospace ecosystem for foreign companies.
Telangana Professional Tax
Monthly slab rates, registration process, due dates, penalties, and exemptions under the Telangana Tax on Professions Act 1987 for employers operating in India's IT capital.
Telangana Stamp Duty
Stamp duty in Telangana is levied under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 (as adopted by the state) and administered by the Telangana Registration & Stamps Department via the registration.telangana.gov.in portal. Rates include 5.5% on sale deeds (7.5% total with registration and transfer duty in urban areas), plus schedules for leases, share transfers, and company documents, updated for 2025-26.
Uttar Pradesh
India's largest state by population and a rising economic powerhouse — Uttar Pradesh offers foreign companies Noida's IT corridor, defence manufacturing hubs, and a US $360 billion economy.
Uttar Pradesh Stamp Duty
Navigate Uttar Pradesh's stamp duty structure for property purchases, lease agreements, and commercial transactions. Gender-based concessions, regional rebates, and compliance essentials for foreign companies.
West Bengal
Eastern India's economic gateway — West Bengal offers foreign companies Kolkata's growing IT corridor, competitive operating costs, and access to the Bay of Bengal's trade routes.
West Bengal Professional Tax
Understand professional tax slabs, registration, payment deadlines, and employer obligations under the West Bengal State Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings and Employments Act, 1979.
West Bengal Stamp Duty
Complete guide to stamp duty rates, registration fees, lease agreement charges, and online payment options for foreign companies investing in West Bengal real estate and commercial property.
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