In detail
The High Commission's “VISA DOCUMENTS: CATEGORY-WISE” document lists ten. Most people know of three (tourist, medical and business), but if one of the others fits your case, it can mean considerably less paperwork.
The less familiar but useful ones:
- Muktijoddha: a separate category for recognised freedom fighters, adding only the Muktijoddha certificate
- Entry: for spouses and children of Indian nationals, and for artists and academics at non-commercial events
- Conference: for attending a conference, with far less paperwork than a business visa
- Transit: for travelling onward to a third country through India
One point to note: the medical attendant (MX) visa has no section of its own; it is referenced inside the Medical Visa section.
Working out which category fits saves a good deal of effort gathering documents you do not need.