Any foreign-registered aircraft transiting Indian airspace without landing requires an overflight permit. This applies regardless of the aircraft type, the purpose of the flight, or the route being flown. There is no exemption based on prior permits, bilateral agreements between individual operators, or the frequency of the route.

Understanding exactly what an overflight permit covers, what it requires, and how long it takes is essential for any international operator whose routing crosses Indian airspace, whether the transit is a single crossing or a multi-leg route that passes through Indian airspace on multiple occasions.