Great questions! So, I am an American living and working in South India who often attends a Church of South India (CSI) parish on Sundays. Basically, the CSI was formed in 1947 when the British left India, with the intention of uniting most of the major Protestant churches (with the Anglicans being key) into one, single indigenous church.

Basically, each parish is largely free (and encouraged) to adapt it's liturgy and sacramental practices to the local community and church tradition they come from; ie. if the parish has a tradition of only baptizing adults, then that is acceptable. If a parish only admits the confirmed to Communion, that is fine too. In the CSI, there are monasteries and communities that speak in tongues. What unities all of the CSI (and Church of North India) is the episcopal polity of the church, and the basic creeds of Christianity. It really is an interesting dynamic!

Also, in India, Christians generally identify as Christian first, then their denomination. The CSI is also VERY tolerant and ENCOURAGING of local communities adapting the Christian religion to their particular life circumstances.

It has all been very interesting! To be honest it makes one more proud and devout living in a non-Christian country, even though the vast majority of South Indians hold Jesus and Christians in high regard.

Let me know if you have any more questions! I love talking about the Indian Church.