During the last month the Government of India has instituted some new procedures for the issuance of visas. There is now a “visa upon arrival” that does not require the mailing of the passport for a visa or the appearance at the consulate. That base fee is $60 for a single entry and is available for U.S. citizens and for some citizens of other countries. http://www.cgisf.org/news/display/65
Also, on October 9, 2014, the Government of India instructed the consulates to grant 10 year multiple entry visitors visas to U.S. citizens as a matter of course. http://www.cgisf.org/notice/display/124 and the base fee for that is $150.
Courtesy,
Mrigendra das
Los Angeles