Tourist Visa – one can enter anytime from date of issue till 3 months later?

This situation changes all the time, i.e. it gets stricter and stricter, so I'm only looking for the latest, May 2014 info.

I want to travel around India for a few weeks before going to China for a few more. Can I get both country's visas in my country first, then go to India, then enter China (about a month after the tourist L was issued), and start my 30-day stay then? Is it always valid for 3 months to allow this, or do I need to specify it during application? I'll have to submit a ton of documents including ticket reservations, so it should be obvious, but still.
Or will they even let me apply now, if I mean to enter a month later?

Called the embassy a number of times for two days, but of course the world’s most populous and soon richest nation can't afford to have somebody pick up.

Thank you,
n