What would be the bare minimum ...

You could survive on travelling in India per month?

Would you say that prices have risen over the past few years?

Rs. 15 000 - 20 000 if you rent an apartment in one place excluding Mumbai and Delhi.

At least Rs. 100 000 if you travel in buses and stay in mid-range hotels/buy groceries and eat one meal per day.

I should think about half that. maybe about Rs 60,000 if you know what you are doing. (bare minimum).

edit: You could do it in less,as people here say, but you wouldn't be touring if you don't splurge occasionally.

100.000 ? that is 5 times my normal travel budget in India... Including a private teacher in music every day.

one day .mid range luxuary 1000irs
one week 7000
4 weeks 21000
With change !!

Hi Gus, my wife and I spent about $1000.00 cdn.-33,000.00 rupees for a month. That included train fares, food, entertainment and souvenirs.
We did Delhi-Hyderabad-Goa-Mumbai-Delhi.

sockeyeron, for that amount, were u on low budget travel (cheap accom/travel) or is that considered mid-high range?

I am planning to stay at the cheapest places for a month, but involves a bit of travelling (delhi-agra-vrindavan-varanasi-haridwar-rishikesh-kumaon-bombay-goa and train straight to tvm) would 23,000 be a foolhardy and too hopeful budget?

Yes, of course, prices have risen, just as they have wherever "home" is for you.

And how much it will cost you really depends on where you're going to be and the level at which you travel. Can you be more specific?

On my last visit, I spent US$12/day in small towns and probably US$70/day in Calcutta and Bangalore.

I stayed in budget places mostly. I found a place in Bhagsu for 60 rs a night. I think the most I spent was 400 for a very decent hotel in Jaisalmer. I aimed to spend around 200 a night and usually got a shower with that as well. Most of the time I could easily find something for 150 rs. The only place I slept in a dorm was in Mumbai at the Salvation Army.

I think you could stay for very cheap <2 USD per night depending on where you are going AND WHAT YOU WANT in terms of comfort.

The cost for food was very cheap as well. I would usually eat some bananas for breakfast for around 10 rs, then maybe pick up some more fruit and or some street vendor food for around 10-20 rs, then at the most 65 rs for supper, but I was usually eating thalis.

Water costs around 10 rs for a bottle. I probably drank 4-6 of them per day, but it will depend on how much water you want.

I spent in total about $600-700 USD for food, accomodations, train/bus/taxi/rickshaw travel, a short camel safari in Jaisalmer, clothes, entrance fees ( I think the cost of the taj was the most I spent on one thing in India), etc for a month. That being said I would walk, bus, cycle rickshaw, auto rickshaw, taxi in that order even if it took more time to get somewhere. Always traveled Sleeper class in trains at night to save on hotel costs as well.

Oh, I figure I should mention my route
Mumbai, Varanasi, Khajaraho, Orchaa, Agra, Amritsar, McLeod Ganj/Bhagsu, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Mumbai

I spent under $5000 (australian) for six months in India, but I did a lot of shopping and didn't really worry about what I spent on hotels and food (though I stayed in very budget hotels some of the time, and when it was really hot I couldn't eat much anyway).
It's easy to spend less than 1000rs a day if you're not too fussy about your hotels or eating in fancy aircon restaurants etc, and many days I would have spent less than 500.

I eat a lot in the Railway Stations. The food is usually nice, and, because of the huge numbers of people eating there, freshly prepared, too. (fresh = safe). The price is good as well, about 20rs for a full 'meal'. For breakfast, I can't think of a nicer place to be than a railway station: there's always somewhere to get a newspaper (2rs) and a breakfast of tea, toast and cutlet/omlette is very reasonable. Great for people-watching, or chatting to new friends.

They often have filtered water too - fill your own bottle - its free!

Bananas - yes, they are great for filling up. I have never yet worked out WHY bananas are rarely if ever for sale on a fruit stand (everything else but!!), and more often to be found at the paan stall or cigarette seller but hey, that's India..

Tim in Ireland.

it's such a subjective matter. traveling can get expensive, but if you're settling in one spot for awhile before venturing on then, it could be more reasonable. also depends how you travel.

i can get by on around 300.00 a month. i'm not cheap, just frugal and live simple. i also do not travel all that much. last time i was in india my expenses rose considerably due to flying in country and staying too long on a houseboat in kashmir.