The general policy and facilities for Foreign Direct Investment as available to foreign investors/company are fully applicable to NRIs as well. In addition, Government has extended some concessions specially for NRIs and overseas corporate bodies having more than 60% stake by the NRIs. These inter-alia includes

- NRI/OCB investment in the real estate and housing sectors upto 100% and
- NRI/OCB investment in domestic airlines sector upto 100%.

NRI/OCBs are also allowed to invest upto 100% equity on non-repatriation basis in all activities except for a small negative list. Apart from this, NRI/OCBs are also allowed to invest on repatriation/non-repatriation under the portfolio investment scheme.

For building up strong electronics industry and with a view to enhancing export, two schemes viz. Electronic Hardware Technology Park (EHTP) and Software Technology Park (STP) are in operation. Under EHTP/STP scheme, the inputs are allowed to be procured free of duties.

The Directors of STPs have powers to approved fresh STP/EHTP proposals and also grand post-approval amendment in repsect of EHTP/STP projects as have been given to the Development Commissioners of  Export Processing Zones in the case of Export Oriented Units. All other application for  setting up projects under these schemes, are considered by the Inter-Ministerial Standing Committee (IMSC) Chaired by Secretary (Information Technology). The IMSC is serviced by the SIA.

Promotion of foreign direct investment forms an integral part of India's economic policies. The role of foreign direct investment in accelerating economic growth is by way of infusion of capital, technology and modern management practices. The Department has put in place a liberal and transparent foreign investment regime where most activities are opened to foreign investment on automatic route without any limit on the extent of foreign ownership. Some of the recent initiatives taken to further liberalise the FDI regime, inter alia, include opening up of sectors such as Insurance (upto 26%); development of integrated townships (upto 100%); defence industry (upto 26%); tea plantation (utp 100% subject to divestment of 26% within five years to FDI);  Encenhancement of FDI limits in private sector banking, allowing FDI up to 100% under the automatic route for most manufacturing activities in SEZs; opening up B2B e-commerce; Internet Service Providers (ISPs) without Gateways; electronic mail and voice mail to 100% foreign investment subject to 26% divestment condition; etc. The Department has also strengthened investment facilitation measures through Foreign Investment Implementation Authority (FIIA).