, Nov. 12 -- India has rationalised its visa regime, reducing the number of main visa categories from 13 to nine and sub-categories from 49 to 23, in a move aimed at facilitating foreign tourist arrivals, medical travel and international student enrolment.

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs said the changes would make the visa framework more compact, coherent and responsive to the needs of foreign nationals visiting the country.

"Under Visa regime rationalization, main categories for Visa reduced from 13 to 09 and sub categories from 49 to 23," the ministry said on November 11.

The revised framework also reduces the number of fields applicants need to fill in visa application forms across all 23 sub-categories by 65 to 70 percent, mak...