New rules were announced in November 2009 by Government of India regarding a proposed 2 month gap between visits. This is an official rule and you need to be aware of the facts. Travelers holding any duration India Visa, from 6 month multiple entry to 10 year multiple entry, are affected.

An update was released in December 2009 which gave some further clarification:

“According to the new guidelines on Tourist Visa issued on 4th November, 2009, a two month gap between two visits is mandatory for foreigners holding long term multi entry Tourist Visas.

To facilitate bonafide tourists, it has since been decided that foreigners holding Tourist Visas, who after initial entry into India plan to visit another country and re-enter India before finally exiting, may be permitted two or three entries, as the case may be, by the Indian Missions/Posts, subject to their submission of a detailed itinerary and supporting documentation (ticket bookings).

The Immigration authorities in all the Immigration Check Posts in India have also been authorized to allow tourists to make two or three entries, as the case may be, based on production of an itinerary and documentation (ticket bookings) substantiating the need for tourism related travel”.

-Ministry of External Affairs Delhi December 24, 2009

For more information, refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Tourist Visas issued by Government of India.