I always some 1000-2000INR from previous trips or exchange some exotic bills from other trips (CAD, CHF, GBP etc) at the airport with the forex agent there. The rest I pull from ATMs of major banks. CC are pretty much accepted universally (chip+signature cards don't work pretty much anywhere). The exchange rate at my recent withdrawals at HDFC and ICICI were within 1% of the interbank rate, no reason to complain there. I have a few cards that are fee free to draw cash abroad, so a pretty hamper camper.