Government Of India Per Diem Rates For Foreign Travel
When it comes to foreign travel, one of the biggest concerns for government employees or officials is the management of expenses, especially in foreign countries where currency exchange rates might make things difficult. The Indian government, for this reason, has set per diem rates for foreign travel, which are updated from time to time.
What are Per Diem Rates?
Per Diem rates, in simple terms, are the daily allowance given to employees or officials for expenses such as accommodation, food, and other miscellaneous expenses incurred during work-related travel. In India, the government has established per diem rates based on the location of the foreign country the employee or official is traveling to.
Factors Affecting Per Diem Rates
The per diem rate for foreign travel by Indian officials or employees is determined based on several factors. Some of these factors are:
- The country being visited
- The purpose of the visit
- The duration of the visit
- The time of year
- The location of the traveler's accommodations
- The currency exchange rate at the time of travel
Per Diem Rates as per March 2021
The per diem rates for foreign travel by Indian officials or employees are divided into three categories:
- Category A - Countries with high cost of living (USD 150-350)
- Category B - Countries with medium cost of living (USD 100-250)
- Category C - Countries with low cost of living (USD 75-200)
The per diem rates for some of the popular destinations as per March 2021 are as follows:
- USA (Category A) - USD 258
- Australia (Category A) - USD 250
- Canada (Category A) - USD 230
- China (Category A) - USD 225
- France (Category A) - USD 224
- Germany (Category A) - USD 213
- Japan (Category A) - USD 211
- South Korea (Category A) - USD 201
- United Kingdom (Category A) - USD 195
- Malaysia (Category B) - USD 149
- Philippines (Category B) - USD 149
- South Africa (Category B) - USD 139
- Thailand (Category B) - USD 137
- Indonesia (Category C) - USD 116
- Nepal (Category C) - USD 103
- Sri Lanka (Category C) - USD 79
Conclusion
Per diem rates are an important aspect of foreign travel for Indian government employees or officials, as it helps them manage their expenses and also ensures transparency in spending. The per diem rates are updated from time to time, and employees or officials must check the current rates before traveling to ensure they receive the correct amount of daily allowance. Planning and budgeting for foreign travel expenses can help officials or employees avoid any financial stress during their trip.