Do you want to volunteer in India? Here are the answers to your most burning questions! ☆ With a population of some 1.3 billion people, India is the second largest country in the world, boasting considerably more people than the entire continents of Africa, the Americas or Europe. But while it is an emerging force on the global stage, with so many people to look after, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many Indians continue to fall through the cracks of its social system.
Poverty is perhaps the #1 problem that India must reckon with today, and manifests itself in many different societal obstacles. It’s here that international volunteers can come in and help alleviate the pressure. When it comes to volunteer travel, India should be at the top of your list.
The gates are open for tons of volunteer opportunities in India.
There are tons of volunteer opportunities in India in areas across a spectrum of causes, ranging from volunteer positions in an India orphanage, to volunteer teaching in India, to volunteer travel across India, and everything in between. Volunteering abroad in India is a fantastic opportunity for cultural exchange, whereby you and your hosts learn a little bit something more about the worlds you each come from.
And while many cultural differences with the West are significant, Indians are also educated in English, meaning that—while not everyone you work with will be able to speak the language—the communication barrier will not be as stringent as you might think. Volunteer opportunities in India are downright accessible!
At the outset, it’s understandable that you’d have a lot of questions about volunteering in India; given the sheer size of the country and diversity of volunteer programs in India, it can be an overwhelming process to say the least. That’s why we’re here to help! This article will answer some fundamental questions about how to volunteer in India, and help send you in the right direction toward finding the right program and beginning your new adventure abroad.
FAQs on volunteer programs in India
1. What are the requirements to travel and volunteer in India?
First some logistics about what it will take on your end to volunteer abroad in India. Programs vary in age limits, but generally it’s possible for people as young as high school and as old as retirement to volunteer travel in India. You’ll need to be from a country with good relations to India in order to obtain a visa, of which most Western countries are. Before you go, you may also need to prove yourself in adequate physical condition to volunteer, and receive a host of vaccinations to ward off potential illnesses.
Because many Indians speak English, there are typically no prior language requirements in order to apply for programs. But it certainly won’t be a bad idea to pick up some useful phrases in Hindi before you ship off!
2. What is a common cost for volunteering in India?
Excuse us **affordable volunteer opportunities in India. That’s right, you won’t break the bank.
India is an affordable country for most foreigners to travel and live in—because of this, the fees for volunteer programs in India are also typically reasonable. You’ll come across volunteer programs in India at all levels of the pay scale, and some that even claim to be free. You should expect, though, at least some fees. On principle. the programs that offer the most level of support while abroad will also prove to be the most expensive.
The fact that program fees vary significantly depending on type and location makes calculating an average cost difficult. A reasonable estimate is that programs will cost between $100-300 per week spent abroad, with outliers on either end. Typically the weekly cost of the program goes down the longer you choose to spend abroad.
Program fees tend to cover costs such as meals, accommodation, airport pickup and orientation, in-country support, and other such basic costs. The most significant charge in addition to your program fees will be for airfare, so it’d be a good idea to begin looking for deals on flights early on in the process. You’ll also want to carry some spending money with you for souvenirs and entertainment!
3. Can I volunteer in India without a degree?
In short, yes—but not always. Most programs will not require prior academic achievement in order for you to be considered for a volunteer placement in India. That being said, there are some fields—such as medicine and education—that will expect candidates to possess at least a high school diploma or undergraduate degree. The level and type of acquired academic accreditation will depend ultimately upon the field you intend on volunteering in.
4. What types of volunteer placements are there, and what are popular volunteer projects in India?
There are volunteer opportunities in India in tons of different fields, so you’ll have plenty placements to choose from in a field that suits your interests. Some of the most popular types of placements include volunteer teaching in India, volunteer in an India orphanage, volunteering in medicine or nursing, volunteering in environmental preservation and animal welfare, volunteering in sustainability, volunteering with women, and many more.
Volunteer travel in India brings you closer to nature and Nirvana.
These placements are made available through a wide diversity of local, national, international, governmental, and nongovernmental (NGO) organizations—so you’ll even have your choice of which avenue to work through in this regard. Many volunteer placements are set up via a partnership between larger international organizations and localized community-based projects.
Within this organizational architecture, you’ll also come across a wide array of different on-the-ground projects to work on while volunteering in India. Some common among these are education programs through schools, community centers, hospitals, public health clinics, research organizations, temples, museums, and other such institutions that depend on the hard work of volunteers.
5. Where can I find volunteer opportunities in India?
Right here on GoAbroad! We’ve worked hard to collect the inside scoop on all the possible volunteer projects available in India for big-hearted travelers like yourself.
We feature extensive listings of volunteer opportunities in India that come in all shapes and sizes. You can get started with your search on our Volunteer in India page, delving through different types of programs and reading reviews to get an idea of the programs that are out there. On this page you can sort by location, cause, and duration, and click through to the websites of the organizations themselves. If you need a little more direction, our team of Online Advisors are here to match you with programs and give advice.
[How to Actually Search for & Choose a Volunteer Abroad Program]
These volunteer programs in India will answer your prayers.
6. Do I need a visa to volunteer in India?
Yes, you will need to procure a visa in order to volunteer abroad in India. Depending on the type of volunteer position you take up and the duration of the program, you may be expected to apply for a work, tourist, student, or intern visa. This process is typically something that your volunteer organization will help walk you through, but it’s never too early to get a jumpstart by reading up on India’s visa requirements toward your home country.
7. What are the most popular cities for volunteering in India?
The subcontinent is vast and diverse, so where you choose to volunteer abroad in India will significantly influence the type of experience you have. It’s impossible to survey all the different locations where it’s possible to volunteer abroad in this limited space, so we’ll just highlight some of the most popular destinations:
- New Delhi. Straddling the banks of the Yamuna river in the north, New Delhi is India’s capital city and has long been a major urban presence on the subcontinent.
- Mumbai. Mumbai is the commercial capital of India. Sitting on the shores of the Arabian Sea, it is also the center of India’s thriving Bollywood film industry.
- Goa. Further down the coast from Mumbai is Goa, one of India’s most popular vacation destinations known for its scenic beauty and Portuguese-influenced culture.
- Rural Areas. Volunteering abroad in India’s rural areas will be a totally different experience than in the cities. If you’re up for a real adventure, come embrace the lifestyle that some two-thirds of Indians live.
8. Should I volunteer abroad in India or Nepal?
India and Nepal share similar histories and cultures as two Hindu-majority countries in South Asia, and so aspiring volunteers can be excused for being stumped on which to visit. But there are some big differences to be aware of.
Primarily, India has way, way more people. Especially in India’s cities, you will be living in an intense urban environment that has no parallel in Nepal. Nepal, resting high up in the Himalayas, generally feels more relaxed than its lowland neighbor. The fact that India has a weightier global standing and greater international connectivity than Nepal also contributes to a more “plugged-in” experience. Volunteering in Nepal may feel more remote in this sense.
Either way—you can’t go wrong. These are two inspiring countries that can host an amazing growth experience volunteering abroad.
Top choices for volunteer programs in India
Every volunteer program in India fits a different niche working on the ground, and as well in the individuals it attracts. Spend a lot of time researching as many different programs as you can to make sure that you land on the right one for you; don’t settle! We’ve highlighted a few of the most popular programs for volunteer travel. India awaits!
1. International Volunteer HQ
IVHQ offers volunteer placements in New Delhi and Dharamsala across a range of different fields including childcare, education and health. Volunteers have the choice of staying for as short as one week or as long as six months as they immerse themselves in everyday life in either of these top Indian travel destinations. IVHQ prides themselves on affordable volunteer opportunities that make a real impact by engaging in community projects. It is a large and popular organization, so volunteers can rest easy that they’ll be taken care of every step of the way.
- More info: Read IVHQ reviews
2. GoEco
For those that don’t want to settle in one place, Go Eco combines three weeks of environmentally friendly travel across India with an opportunity to volunteer at the end of the program in your field of choice. From trekking to jeep safaris, you’ll catch a unique glimpse of the subcontinent through a variety of adventurous and immersive activities. Participants will visit locations including New Delhi, Rajasthan, Aggra and Mumbai along the way. For the volunteer portion, you can work on projects that include slums outreach, animal welfare, or schools renovation.
- More info: Read GoEco Reviews
3. Love Volunteers
Love Volunteers offers several different volunteer programs in locations across India, ranging from a travel program throughout the north to women’s empowerment projects in Jaipur and Dharamshala. A large organization that prides itself on affordable opportunities to work on community-based projects, Love Volunteers offers a diversity of volunteer opportunities that mold to the individual. Volunteers can select between placements that last just a few weeks or as long as several months. You will also benefit from a 24/7 on-the-ground support network.
- More info: Read Love Volunteers Reviews
4. GVI
GVI offers a unique opportunity to earn academic credit while enrolled in a service learning course in Kerala. Participants will learn about service through both theory and practice, engaging in lectures and discussions and also working on important community development projects. The program is focused around the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and includes daily reflections guided by experienced professionals. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to join a host of extracurricular activities outside of work.
- More info: Read GVI Reviews
Test your limits and volunteer in India!
Lend a henna’d hand.
Now that you have some idea of the logistics behind volunteering abroad in India, it’s time to take initiative yourself to make it happen. What can be a life-changing experience awaits you in the subcontinent, and only you now can make the decision to reach out for it. While volunteering abroad in India you’ll be challenged, and rewarded, in ways you have not been before, all while serving to advance the development goals of your host by engaging in community projects. And when it’s all said and done, the journey will stay with you forever.
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