Volunteer Programs in India

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally—from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 147,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back—it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Kaya Responsible Travel welcomes teen volunteers ages 16 and 17 to this unique program abroad. You will develop into a global citizen while spending time with peers from India and working within local communities. For 2 – 8 weeks or longer, you will genuinely gain an insight into Indian culture and contribute to the overall goals of your chosen project—Childcare, Women Empowerment, or Teaching. You will also participate in extra activities, apart from volunteer responsibilities. These may include sharing meals with a local family, a sari-dressing workshop, and yoga sessions. As a 16 or 17-year-old volunteer in India, you need to be ready to travel and meet new friends. You should be open to new ideas and situations, from eating local food to working in communities that are highly different from anything you have seen before. You should be self-motivated and able to work in a team.

Volunteer in this conservation program and contribute to the rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation of orphaned, injured, and endangered birds in Jaipur. We aim to protect the health and well-being of various species through immediate rescue operations and care. We also conduct public education to foster a harmonious coexistence between humans and birds. Work alongside avian experts on a range of activities, from responding to distress calls to ensuring the safe return of rehabilitated birds to their natural habitats. This program strives to raise awareness and educate communities on bird conservation through training, workshops, and campaigns. We advocate for bird-friendly practices and policies, joining forces with educational institutions, wildlife organizations, and local authorities, extending our impact beyond Jaipur. Join us in this unique initiative and make a difference, one bird at a time.

Join us in Goa for a meaningful volunteer experience! Participants on this program will be involved in two programs, which includes teaching children from lower-income areas. They can then choose their second project placement. Volunteers can choose to assist in a women's shelter, a senior home, an animal rescue center, a community construction program, or at a secondary teaching program in a village. No matter the placement, each volunteer can contribute to the community of Goa in a large way. This program is open to volunteers who have: - Minimum age: 18 - Basic English Proficiency - High level of independence and emotional strength, and ability to adjust to culture shock - Motivation to work with children - Full travel and medical insurance - Immunizations (please consult your doctor)

It doesn't get more epic than a 2000-mile tour across the Indian Subcontinent. Journey on this incredible adventure from the lofty, glacial landscapes of the Himalayas and the cool peace of Mcleodganj to the dreamy gardens of the Taj Mahal and hot sands of Goa. Go on the ultimate bucket list trip. Experience a jungle safari in the Royal Chitwan National Park; visit the home of the Dalai Lama; trek to the Everest Base Camp. Get ready to dig deep into your adventure roots, open yourself to exotic cultures, and give back to the communities you visit along the way.

GVI offers a variety of opportunities for young adults between the ages of 15 and 17 to gain first-hand experience in cultural immersion, marine and wildlife conservation and community development. This is a great way to become a global citizen with a better understanding of prevalent social and environmental issues. It’s also a gateway to improving your future education and employment opportunities, as you acquire soft and hard skills in your chosen GVI focus. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to dive in the oceans of Greece, visit the jungles of Costa Rica, or the rolling Incan valleys of Peru, all while contributing to sustainability, this is for you. This is an opportunity to connect with a network of people who share similar passions for sustainability, while also expanding your knowledge of different linguistic practices and cultural customs. Each project is aimed at reaching sustainable objectives that align with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

If you've always wanted to experience life in rural India and make a true difference in the lives of disadvantaged women and children, this program is for you! Volunteers assist in a non-governmental school run by a local woman passionate about empowering women and children towards a better life. The school caters to kids of rural and itinerant families, special needs children, and uneducated local women. These students may well be the first in their families to access education. The school teaches vocational and practical skills and traditional subjects, building confidence and self-esteem and empowering its pupils to earn a living. This program ticks all the boxes for volunteers wishing to experience life in an Indian village while helping the less fortunate and guiding them to a better future. While the poverty and hardship you’ll see may be upsetting, the wonderful children and staff you’ll work with and the cultural and social experiences you gain will undoubtedly enrich your life.

Our Volunteer programs in India are based in Kerala, Southern India. Despite a fast growing economy owing to the Dot Com revolution in the late 90’s, a large portion of the Indian people are impoverished and in need of basic human necessities. Access to clean water, sanitation facilities and quality health facilities still remain a distant dream for many – All this coupled with issues concerning women’s rights and education offers a great volunteer opportunities for you to truly make a difference in the upliftment of the country and its people. Volunteering Journeys Volunteer Programs in India are based in South India’s tropical gem Kerala, famously known as ‘God’s own Country’. The best part is mingling with an eclectic a mix of locals living in harmony mainly Catholics, Muslims and Hindus, giving you a true flavour of the myriad of culture, religion and life in India. Our most popular program is our women's empowerment and teaching children program. If you are pre-med or medical student you can also join our medical work experience. We encourage you to join us in India as this will truly be an experience of a lifetime.

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

This program goes beyond ordinary high school travel programs and build cross-cultural community service summer trips perfectly geared to your interests and curiosities. Whether you’re looking to contribute to authentic service projects, experience exhilarating adventure, or develop your language skills, GoBeyond will immerse you in a new culture where you can make a meaningful difference while on the journey of a lifetime. Our high school community service summer programs proudly serve in many under-resourced communities and environments throughout the world. Explore our journeys in the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador, Peru, Iceland, Spain, China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Beyond experiencing the adventure of a lifetime and creating lasting memories, we believe our community service summer trips enable lasting positive change in the world. For over forty years, we’ve been transforming communities, environments, and students’ lives through meaningful, collaborative adventures and service that develop skills and a more sophisticated worldly outlook—ultimately shaping the person you become.

India offers a one-of-a-kind setting for volunteering—rich in culture, layered in history, and full of meaningful opportunities to give back. Whether you're walking through vibrant city streets or working in peaceful rural communities, every day brings new experiences that challenge, inspire, and reward. World Endeavors’ volunteer programs in India are designed for those who want to make a real difference while building cross-cultural connections and gaining global perspective. Volunteers are placed in Goa, one of India’s most picturesque states known for its welcoming communities, historic architecture, and stunning natural beauty. Program durations are flexible, ranging from 2 to 12 weeks, and each project is thoughtfully matched to your interests and the needs of the local community. With 24/7 support, comfortable shared housing, and meals included, this program makes it easy for you to focus on what matters most—creating impact and building lifelong memories.

India is the world’s largest democracy and is considered a newly industrialized country. Yet despite its large workforce and immense growth, India continues to face the hurdles of poverty, illiteracy, malnutrition, and inadequate public healthcare. Funds for health in India have long focused largely on medical services, reflected in a lack of modern public health regulations and delivery of services. Travel to Delhi, India, the second most populous city on the planet. Join NGOs working to implement social reforms and improve public health outcomes through educational campaigns and trainings with emphasis on the spread of HIV/AIDS in India, tuberculosis, and management of infectious diseases. Learn about key public health challenges such as low rates of immunization, poor sanitation and waste management, and unsafe drinking water. Understand the lingering impact of India’s caste system and challenges in implementing public health initiatives within a culturally and linguistically diverse population.

The Banyan Impact Fellowship (formerly AIF William J. Clinton Fellowship) is a fully funded 10-months program in India. By facilitating exchange and collaboration between young professionals from India and the U.S., the program aims to shape the next generation of leaders committed to positive and sustainable change and creating a lasting US-India relationship. Fellows serve with civil society organizations in various thematic areas including environment protection, climate justice, public health, education, livelihoods, arts, culture, and more. Fellows receive a stipend, health insurance, language training, mentoring, professional development, international networking and career opportunities. Fellows benefit from in person conferences, and they engage in workshops, reflection exercises, and skill building activities. Apply by February 20, 2024.

Come face-to-face with complex social structures, diverse religions and geographic regions, and the intersections where tradition and change collide. You will get the chance to engage with organizations working on regenerative solutions to climate change, connect to life in local communities through homestays, experience the spirituality of an Ashram, trek in the Himalayas, kayak through the backwaters, and sample the amazing regional cuisines as you share meals with our amazing partners and soon-to-be new friends. Throughout your journey, the people you meet and the places you stay will teach you about the region's complexities, widen your perspective, and help you gain insights to understand the world's interconnectedness. As you understand how one action impacts another and how the mighty Himalayas affect coastal communities downstream, you can start to explore your purpose and the role you want to play in a globally interconnected world. 2025: CLOSED Spring 2026: February 25 - May 6 Fall 2026: September 24 - December 5

We invite you to join us from 9 - 16 February in Puducherry, India, for our Impact Build 2025. We partner with an Indian NGO operating the Janani Home for Girls for this project. Young women, often abused or abandoned or saved from child labor, are housed at this building. They are given a safe space to learn and heal. As a volunteer, expect to help mix concrete, paint, and build with bricks or wood. We will do whatever is necessary to help provide these young women with a better opportunity to learn and live. Our mission goes beyond bricks and mortar. We believe in showing the world the incredible generosity of our volunteers while immersing ourselves in diverse cultures. We focus on creating meaningful experiences, fostering connections, and building better homes and communities. We firmly believe that, at the end of the day, we are all more alike than different. At the end of your week, expect a lot of happy tears as we reflect on the amazing experience that just took place.

Length: 4-6 months | Intakes: January 2026 Join the Global Leadership Programme, designed to provide you with hands-on experience supporting the work of an international development charity. We are looking for passionate graduates, who are keen to learn about global challenges, work with youth and define their own purpose. After an initial period of training, you will be placed in one of our overseas hubs as a Group Mentor and Project Implementor, you will be supporting our in-country team through coordinating group projects and supporting our project participants on their journey to becoming global citizens. Your days will be filled with exciting challenges and fulfilling experiences, including: 1. Coordinating and delivering impactful project activities with our local partners. 2. Embark on a leadership role as you guide your group of project participants through immersive and exciting cultural activities. 3. Engage your group in reflective discussions and interactive sessions to foster personal growth. 4. Reporting on the progress and success of all international project participants and community development project delivery activities.

In Rajasthan, girls from poor families often don't attend school. They have to help with housework, engage in labor, or assist their mothers with tending to their younger siblings. This is typically the case in communities far from the school, which would take some time to reach, thus forcing them to choose family duties instead. To cater to these less fortunate girls, a local NGO offers free education and vocational training to women and girls from disadvantaged backgrounds. The NGO is located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan's second-largest city, in the village of Setrawa in the Thar desert, some 100 km away. It primarily promotes women's empowerment, including educating children and women. At several empowerment centers in Jodhpur, girls and women aged 10 to 30 are taught reading and writing (Hindi and English), the basics of Mathematics, personality development, team building, and vocational skills such as sewing and embroidery.

Are you a Psychology or Mental Health student looking for a hands-on experience that will enhance your studies and career prospects? This unique opportunity is ideal for university students, graduates, and master's students seeking field experience, research opportunities, and professional development in a global setting. Our volunteer programmes provide essential, practical experience while allowing you to make a real impact in developing communities in India’s ‘pink city’! Gain experience under doctors and psychiatrists in the psychiatry and deaddiction units of a hospital, work with children on their mentoring and wellbeing, and head into the community to work on community development and women's empowerment — all while immersing yourself in Indian culture!

Embark on a meaningful volunteer journey in India—one of the most vibrant and culturally rich countries in the world. Known for its diversity and contrasts, India offers a life-changing experience that both challenges and inspires. Whether you're drawn to the energy of cities or the calm of the mountains, there’s something here for everyone. Volunteer roles include teaching, women’s empowerment, construction, medical support, elderly care, slum outreach, and working in Buddhist monasteries. No matter your background, your time and effort can create lasting impact. All programs include airport pickup, accommodation, meals, in-country transport to project sites, and 24/7 local support. Choose from incredible destinations like Udaipur, Goa, Bodhgaya, and Darjeeling—or join a road trip that showcases the highlights of India while you volunteer. Make a real difference while discovering one of the world’s most unforgettable destinations.