Stamped & ready to go!

Yup, the visa is duely stamped & in my hands! Seems I'm the early bird coz they kept asking me why I was applying so early...hell just coz I can and i like sitting easy on my ass with no admin worries.
So here's the lowdown -
Warning: information is decidedly Indian in bias

1st Step - You can contact the Consulate via their website.
You need to download the long stay visa form & print the two pages on the same page - back & forth. You may even go to the Consulate & pick up the original. Be warned - the form is in French! The translation is available at the Consulate though I managed with help from my French tutor. Yes, I think the French are telling us what to expect when we get there...speak French or suffer

2nd Step - You can book an appointment via the website itself or on the telephone. Both are impersonal events as you only get a recorded synthetic voice over the phone. maybe the French are telling us something again, there was no option at all of talking to someone!

3rd Step - You will also have to book an appointment with the Educational Attache at the Consulate. Her details are provided on the site and thankfully this is a living breathing (even holidaying!) being. Do remember though that the Education Attache is only to provide the NOC - No objection certificate. You need a separate appointment with the visa officer.
Plan both these appointments on the same day, just half an hour apart.

4th Step - Collect all the data. This is a bit of task if you happen to be a disorganized person like me but nothing to bother for us MBA applicants. After managing applications successfully, this is a piece of cake.
You'll need the following documents -

1. A valid passport for the entire period of your stay in France
2. One long stay visa application form with all columns filled in and 2 recent photographs in the size of 3.5 cms x 4.5 cms with white / light background. The face should cover about 70-80% of the photo area*
3. A letter of registration / admission from a French academic institution
4. Proof of resources for living expenses for the period of your stay (420 euros/month) OR An accommodation certificate from a respondent in France and proof of resources for living expenses for the period of your stay (210 euros/month)
5. Proof of accommodation in France for the period of stay (we need to ask her about this one before getting our appointment)
6. A short bio-data
7. Copies of your degrees, diplomas and/or certificates
8. Overseas medical insurance policy + repatriation, evacuation cover (equivalent to 30000 euros)
9. Copy of air ticket

This information is available on their website too. I would advise though to carry all other documents you feel may help your unique case. For e.g. for married students carry your marriage certificate. For students with bank loans - carry the loan sanction slip. For students taking family loans - carry a sponsorship letter etc.
I carried my transcript, GMAT scores etc etc.
Btw the housing receipt is also easily organized. I found the house via city-junction, so I presented a domicile receipt with the house address that I'll be staying at. This receipt was obtained after paying the city-junction agency fees and not the house deposit. So you needn't wait till you pay the deposit too.
I forgot to carry my bio-data but she sweetly filled out most of the information required.

Step 5 - Land up on time. Things move swiftly enough. You will first be escorted to the Education Attache. He/She will want to see all your originals and will conduct a mini interview - v basic like why France, why Insead and how are you financing it. Have you been to pairs before etc. She will make an NOC which she will directly forward to the visa section. you dont see or touch this copy.
Beyond this it's just waiting for your turn. Forwarding your visa form all filled out & all your xerox's of other documents. They will not ask for the Originals again. You pay the visa fees - which as of now is 50 Euros for Students.
Then its another bit of wait - approx. 20 mins and you will be handed a student visa valid for 3 months from your date of departure. You need to reach your school where they will register you and convert your visa into a 'carte de sojourn' which will let you roam free in Europe for he year.

So it's that simple.
A few pointers - carry a book or magazine and be prepared to hand over your cell phone, Ipod or laptop. All in all it takes about 2 hours and the staff is helpful. Make sure your air ticket has the date that you wish to travel on - your visa will be granted from that date itself.

So now the new super cool me has already notched up a few tick marks on my extensive to-do. House -booked
deposit - paid
visa -obtained
medical insurance -done
air ticket - done
Information on bank account & tenant insurance has been gathered and in the next two weeks I shall have put a done on their side too :)
Feeling really warm with the thought that once I leave my job there will be v little nuisance to take care of...
Just a lot of shopping, relaxing & French