[ FDI · India · 1991–2026 ]

India FDI and
foreign ownership.

How much foreign direct investment comes into India and how much leaves, where it comes from, which sectors it goes to, and how much of each sector foreign investors are allowed to own.

Money coming in

FDI inflow–
of which new equity–the rest is reinvested earnings and other capital
Net FDI–
Inflows since April 2000–total FDI, 26 financial years

FDI inflows by financial year

Year-by-year table

Money going out

Gross inflows are only half the story. Foreign investors also take money out, by selling stakes to Indian buyers or in share sales on the stock market, and Indian companies invest abroad. What is left is net FDI.

Where it comes from

Mauritius and Singapore are mostly routes, not sources: funds from elsewhere invest through them because of tax treaties.

Where it goes

"Services" covers finance, banking, insurance, outsourcing, R&D and testing.

How much can foreign investors own?

Each sector has a cap on foreign ownership. Under the automatic route no approval is needed; the government route needs the ministry's approval. Since April 2020, any investment from a country sharing a land border with India needs approval whatever the sector.

How the limits have changed since 1991

    What employees of multinationals think

    100 employees of multinational companies in India rated 14 statements about FDI. Most agreed with the benefits and with the concerns, so the survey shows how widely both views are held rather than which one wins. Full results.

    Sources: inflows by year, country and sector from DPIIT FDI factsheets (to June 2025) and DPIIT data for 2025-26 as reported by India Briefing and the Ministry of Finance; net FDI from RBI data reported by Business Standard; ownership limits from DPIIT's consolidated FDI policy and later press notes, the space policy of 2024, the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha Act of 2025 and the Cabinet decision of 10 March 2026. Limits are summarised; check the current DPIIT policy before investing. Full list in the research paper.