Is it safe for a single American woman to travel in India?

Yes, traveling alone is definitely safe. Just make sure to be aware of your surroundings like you would when traveling anywhere in the world, and you'll be fine!

Also see answer to is spot on, and more relevantly, perhaps the only woman responding from personal experience.

India is like any other country in the world. Believe me, India is way much better than most of Latin American countries. India is so big and diverse, that it's not possible to travel the whole country in 2 or 3 weeks or 4 weeks or even in a lifetime. Now, Visa-On-Arrival option is also available in India. http://indianvisaonline.gov.in, it's very easy process now. If you have a friend or relative here, then i think it's better to contact them if you going to India first time. Take proper vaccination before coming to India, it might be a possibility that  your body will take time to adjust in Indian circumstances. I think first few days will be horrible for you as you will meet many scam people, but after few days you will start enjoying the real India. Do not hesitate to take help from local men or women, rural people are very genuine and will be happy to help you. Be Brave and travel to India, it's the journey you will never forget.

If it is your 1st time visiting India, I would say travel in the more urban areas such as Mumbai, Delhi (Its north India so be cautious), Pune, etc. There is a lot of foreign crowd and people are not as facinated by white skin as in the rural areas. Try to get a hang of the Indian culture and ppl in such 'safer' conditions and then venture into more adventerous places. This is what many of my non-Indian friends did initially and it worked out for them. But yes real India is the rural India. So I would definitely encourage you to travel more but start with smaller steps. It would be a great experience to say the least.

The image of India has changed over a period of time and it has become relatively safer to travel to India.The only challenge is reliability of information and the right support.The Indian tourism is doing great work with Incredible India and to add to it I came across this app https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.helpy&hl=en which is probably one of the best apps to get help and also works helpline.Hope this is helpful.

India is not Syria or Somalia, its as good as America, you just need to be as careful as you would be any where else on the earth to keep yourself away from perverts

Definitely India is very safe country for any woman. You can easily travel in India, just some areas are restricted or there are fixed timings to visit particular ares. So you just need to follow these rules to protect yourself and these rules are applied for everyone. So I don't think that there is any problem in solo wandering in India.

India is safe for all women solo travelers. Doesn't matter either your American women or Indian women alone traveler, if you have addicted to travel and follow the guidelines; India welcomes you. Here I have written travel tips for alone women travel who is planning to visit India. http://www.formertourist.com/travel-tips/solo-women-safety-tips-india/ Revert, if you have further query on same.

1. You can't go wrong India has so much to offer that one might feel somewhat overwhelmed with choice. The feeling that you might 'miss out' on something often results in people adding more and more stops to their itinerary. The good news is that, in my opinion, you really never can go wrong. Each state is so different with a lot to offer. You're guaranteed a unique, memorable and sometimes crazy experience wherever you end up going. 2. Beware of the city experience It is of course great to be able to enjoy the variety that a country has to offer and especially if you have time on your hands. If you don't have a lot of time and you're planning to fly to the major cities to see the landmarks, remember that the city experience does not define India. Far from it. The best parts of India are often miles away from the nearest city. Travelers who spend a short amount of time in India, flying around, might end up remembering India for its hustle and bustle, rather than for its gorgeous landscapes and peaceful mountains. 3. Take it easy India travel can be tiring and it might take a bit of time to adjust to the environment, cuisine and climate. It helps to be flexible with your itinerary and to take some rest when required. Remember this when you are planning your trip. Also, Indian trains are usually delayed, so no point in rushing...just enjoy the ride. 4. It's all about the people Indians are friendly and helpful. If in doubt, just ask. Aggression and rules will get you nowhere, conversation and a cup of masala chai will get you everywhere. http://www.indiatourismoffice.com/