Free & 10 [Best Cheap] India Volunteer Providers 2023

Plan My Gap Year

About the organization

PMGY is an organization founded by experienced volunteers in 2011 aiming to create rewarding and impactful travel abroad volunteer programs. Originally based in the UK, PGMY now also have an office in the US. They place an emphasis on the social aspect of volunteering, putting you in contact with the people you’re going to live and work with well in advance of the project so that you can get to know each other. Plan My Gap Year has a number of affordable volunteer opportunities in India.

PMGY Programs in India

India Childcare Volunteers

This is an affordable but not entirely free program for the person who is truly passionate about helping children. Although filled with many riches, India is still a country where there are many underprivileged children from poor backgrounds or with no parents.

As a childcare volunteer in India, you will brighten the days of young ones, making an important contribution to their lives. Here is your chance to act as role models to underprivileged kids. Your daily activities will be to establish fun activities and back tasks such as homework and make a positive impact on local Indian communities. Generally, you will be assisting with the general childcare and daily activities at the volunteer placement.

This is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in communities across India through brightening the young lives of the people of the country’s future.

India Disabled Children Volunteers

This is an affordable but not entirely free program for the person who is truly fervent about helping disabled children. Although filled with many riches, India is still a country where there are many underprivileged children from poor backgrounds, with no parents and a poor infrastructure to cater to the disabled child or young adult.

As an India disabled children volunteer, you will help care for children with special needs, through assisting local staff in essential education and support sessions.

This is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in communities across India through brightening the young lives of the people of the country’s future who might be enabled by your efforts.

India Teaching English Volunteers

This is a low-priced but not entirely free program for the person who is truly passionate about teaching English to enable Indian’s access to the most widely spoken language of the world. Although filled with many good points, India is still a country where there are many who require access to social mobility and a stable employment future, of which learning English would enable them.

As a volunteer teaching English in India, you will encourage students to develop skills, helping to achieve their future goals and career aspirations. Conversing with fluent, native English speakers greatly improves student’s language skills, essential for future employment. This project provides the perfect opportunity for India English teaching volunteers to put leadership skills into practice and make a profound positive impact within poor communities in India.

This is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in communities across India through brightening many futures with the skill of English.

India Medical Volunteers

This is a low-priced but not entirely free program for the person who is truly passionate about becoming or advancing as a healthcare professional or is currently practicing medicine. Although filled with many good points, India is still a country where there are many who have little access to quality healthcare. Becoming a medical volunteer would be a huge help to the country.

As a medical volunteer in India, you will have a fantastic opportunity to gain first-hand experience and insight into Indian health care. Medical volunteers in India work with highly trained local staff. This gives you exposure and tuition that you are unlikely to obtain in your own country. If you are thinking of studying, or even pursuing a career in healthcare, joining PMGY’s India medical programs will offer you essential first-hand experience that will assist in your career development.

This is a powerful volunteer opportunities in India to help make a difference in the overall health of communities across India.

Reviews

When looking for the best opportunities in India, it’s important to take into account online reviews from fellow volunteers. PMGY receives glowing reviews with a 96% score on Go Overseas and a 4.82/5 on Volunteer Forever with a combined 2,500+ reviews between them. Examples of praise from past volunteers are: “My time in Thailand was absolutely incredible” and “If you're wondering whether you should take part in a PMGY Program, then wonder no more, just do it.”

The Fee

Plan My Gap Year is one of the best India volunteer providers and is the cheapest provider on this list. Plan My Gap Year is very affordable, and most of their travel and volunteer programs are attainable for people on a low budget, with sample prices for a 2-week period being US $483.

Why we selected PMGY

When deciding to place Plan My Gap Year at the top of this list, we were influenced primarily by three factors. First, their affordable fees make them a great alternative for anyone regardless of budget. Second, their amazing reviews indicate an ability to deeply satisfy volunteers from various backgrounds. Finally, their focus on the social aspect of volunteering is quite unique and is something we think will enrich their India volunteer experience.

RCDP Volunteers

“Would you like to change the world without it costing the earth?” This is the question volunteering program provider RCDP International Volunteers asks us. RDCP is one of the world’s best India volunteer providers that was founded in 1998. Since its inception, RCDP has placed over 18,000 happy volunteers in a variety of services, programs, internship opportunities and summer abroad programs.

The company pledges to offer unparalleled in-country support from experienced staff, which ensure that volunteering experiences are safe, life-changing, worthwhile and fun. The volunteering provider offers programs in 20 countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America, in fields such as orphanage work, childcare, teaching, medical services or women’s empowerment initiatives.

RCDP Volunteer Opportunities in India

Orphanage

India contains one-sixth of the world's population, with unfortunately, millions of Indian children being born and raised on the streets. To help these large masses of homeless children, RCDP invites you to work in an orphanage in India to share your compassion, patience, skills and reassurance with India's children who are in desperate need. RDCP’s partners have for many years provided informal education, healthcare, and creative activities for India's orphans. But orphanages need dedicated volunteers to help the staff deliver these programs.

As a volunteer in orphanage project in India, you will contribute in the development and growth of some of the most deprived and neglected children in the world. You will help the local staffs as they work with children and directly involve them in various skill-developing activities and teaching English.

Join RCDP's orphanage project in India and work to better the lives of orphaned children. Through the care you will give and by your very presence also the children can turn into confident individuals capable of believing in themselves. In return, you will receive warm appreciation, an experience that will enrich your life and memories that will stay with your forever.

Teaching English in India

In spite of its rapidly growing economy, India still faces huge problems of unemployment and destitution. Millions of Indians are jobless and English still remains one of the main necessities of finding a job. Children from deprived families are set back by the schools they attend because they lack funds and the teachers are not well trained enough to teach English.

As a teaching English in India volunteer, you can give your time and skills to schools for deprived and street children through participating in this Teaching English in India project. As a volunteer, you will teach conversational English in a school where your skills are in great demand.

This is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in communities across India through brightening many futures with the skill of English.

Review

When looking for the best volunteer opportunities in India, it’s important to take into account online reviews from fellow volunteers. RCDP receives glowing reviews with a 93% score on Go Overseas and a 9/10 rating on Abroad Reviews with a combined number of 100+ reviews between them. Examples of praise from past volunteers are: “Our host family was magnificent and the whole experience enjoyable” and “I enjoyed my experience so much here that I wish I could extend my time!”

The Fee

RCDP is one of the best India volunteer providers. RCDP is very affordable, and most of their travel and volunteer programs are attainable for people on a low budget, with sample prices for a 2-week period being US $579.

Why We Selected RCDP

We selected RCDP for their extremely extensive experience, great feedback from volunteers and eminently affordable fees, especially to destinations like India.

IVHQ

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) is a volunteering provider in New Zealand that is one of the best and cheapest volunteer abroad companies of the world that has over 12 years of experience and expert services that have helped over 112,000 volunteers make a genuine difference in the world. The volunteering provider is openly committed to crafting some of the world’s best volunteer abroad opportunities that contribute long-term impact to communities around the world that need the support. IVHQ has a number of free to affordable volunteer opportunities in India.

IVHQ Volunteering Opportunities in India

IVHQ – Teaching English Program in Delhi

Children growing up in disadvantaged areas around India often face major challenges, and it can be hard for them to go beyond the lives they, and their parents were born into. However, by acquiring new knowledge and skills, their chances of living industrious lives increases. That is why volunteers are needed to teach English, an essential skill that opens up new opportunities for the future.

As a volunteer on the India Teaching English volunteer program, you will place efforts on improving the students’ conversational English, while also acquiring new skills by working in a new cultural environment. Volunteers on this project can expect to aid in developing creative lesson plans and teaching classes individually with the help of local teachers. Students range in age from 5-11 years-old.

This is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in many lives of young children in India, enabling them ample of opportunity for a brighter future and good career prospects.

IVHQ –Teaching in Delhi slums

This project is well suited to volunteers who are passionate about education and providing support for children with limited access to education. For many children in India, school is simply not an option. There are roughly over 11 million ostracized and vulnerable street children in India. Many of these children work on the streets with their parents selling goods, scavenging for things to live on and performing to make a living.

Volunteers play a key part in affording these children access to basic education along with new possibilities they would otherwise be deprived of. Daily tasks for this India volunteering opportunity include teaching English or other lessons, facilitating games and introducing the children to activities and games they otherwise would never have had the chance to take part in.

This project is greatly valued by the local community, due to the new perspectives and lessons that international volunteers provide. This is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in many lives of young children in India, enabling them ample of opportunity for a brighter future and good career prospects.

IVHQ – Childcare in Delhi & Dharamsala

This project is perfect for caring and enthusiastic volunteers, who have an interest in working with children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Issues such as poverty can present major challenges to children growing up in India. However, dedicated assistance with both traditional and creative education can make a real and valuable difference to their lives.

India Volunteers are placed at a number of different childcare placements, the majority of which are located in the area of Faridabad. Children at these placements are typically aged between 4 and 8 years-old. All placements are in need of volunteers to help the children with their education by leading English lessons, assisting with homework and teaching essential life skills, such as personal hygiene, while also arranging games and activities for the children.

This is a powerful volunteer opportunities in India to help make a difference in many lives of young children from disadvantaged backgrounds in India, enabling them ample of opportunity for a brighter future and good career prospects.

IVHQ – Healthcare in Delhi & Dharamsala

This is a low-priced but not entirely free program for the person who is truly passionate about becoming or advancing as a healthcare professional or is currently practicing medicine. Although filled with many good points, India is still a country where there are many who have little access to quality healthcare. Becoming a medical volunteer would be a huge help to the country.

Healthcare volunteers in India can work in either local hospitals or slum clinics, shadowing revered local doctors who are passionate about sharing their knowledge and expertise. Your primary role is to shadow local professionals and learn about the treatment of prevalent diseases in India, and as a result this is better suited to volunteers with less experience.

This is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in many lives and improve the health and wellbeing of many patients in India, while simultaneously learning about an entirely different healthcare system.

IVHQ – Teaching English Program in Dharamsala

Children growing up in underprivileged areas around India often face significant hardships, and it can be difficult for them to grow beyond the lives they, and their parents are born into. However, by gaining new knowledge and skills, their chances of living productive lives will undoubtedly increase. That is why volunteers are needed to teach English, a fundamental skill that opens up new prospects for the future.

As a volunteer on the India Teaching English volunteer program, you will focus on improving the students’ conversational English, while also gaining new skills by working in a new cultural environment. Volunteers on this project can expect to aid in developing creative lesson plans and teaching classes autonomously with the help of local teachers. Students range in age from 5-11 years-old.

This is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in many lives of young children in India, enabling them ample of opportunity for a brighter future and good career prospects.

Reviews

When looking for the best volunteer opportunities in India, it’s important to take into account online reviews from fellow volunteers. IVHQ receives glowing reviews with a 9.54/10 rating on Go Abroad and a 95% score on Go Overseas with a combined number of 1800+ reviews between them. Examples of praise from past volunteers are: “What an amazing experience this has been. I could have never imagined the change that has happened within me after this trip” and “Fantastic people who help you every step of the way. Each member truly cares about what they are doing.”

The Fee

IVHQ is one of the best India volunteer providers. IVHQ is very affordable , and most of their travel and volunteer programs are attainable for people on a low budget, with sample prices for a 2-week period being US $599.

Why We Selected IVHQ

The sheer number of positive reviews found online for IVHQ’s international volunteer programs in India is enough to earn them a place on this list. Couple that with very reasonable prices and some fantastic looking programs and you have a winner.

GoEco

As you can tell from its name, GoEco’s core cause is the protection of the environment, but this noble cause can take many other forms, and GoEco offers a varied range of programs that are always sustainable and responsible. Founded in 2006 by two Israeli international volunteers went on a volunteer adventure to Southeast Asia, they have since helped thousands of travellers do the same. GoEco has a number of free to affordable volunteer opportunities in India.

Go Eco Programs in India

GoEco – Teaching& Community Work in Goa

Living and growing up in deprived areas around India means many often face substantial challenges, and it can be hard for them to grow beyond the lives they, and their parents are born into. However, by securing new knowledge and skills, their chances of living productive lives increase. That is why volunteers are needed to teach English, a core skill that opens up new opportunities for the future.

This India volunteering project is intended to help, educate and care for Goa's community members who need it most, from young children to abused women to elderly people without families. This project sends volunteers to different locations where they can provide aid to these needy individuals and help them gain a sense of confidence and stability.

This is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in many lives of children, young adults and adults in India, enabling them ample of opportunity for a brighter future and good career prospects.

GoEco – Community Aid in Rajasthan

This volunteering in India project works to serve destitute populations around Udapair. Living and growing up in underprivileged areas around India means many often face weighty challenges, and it can be hard for them to grow beyond the lives they, and their parents are born into. Join the people of Rajasthan and GoEco’s local project team and make an impact in this wonderful region of India.

This India volunteering opportunity is a unique program that will allow you to serve underprivileged populations that are often marginalized; help local children build their confidence and English language skills and relish in the chance to volunteer at a school for those with special needs, a kindergarten or primary school, a construction site or in a sports program.

This is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in many lives people in India, enabling them ample of opportunity for a brighter future and good career prospects and sound wellbeing.

Reviews

When looking for the best and free volunteering opportunities in India, it’s important to take into account online reviews from fellow volunteers. GoEco receives glowing reviews with a 94% score on Go Overseas and a 9.75/10 rating on Go Abroad with a combined number of 700+ reviews between them. Examples of praise from past volunteers are: “As I said, best two weeks of my entire life!” and “Everything was amazing! Right from the start with customer service at GoEco to the team at the park.”

The Fee

GoEco is one of the best India volunteer providers. GoEco is very affordable, and most of their travel and volunteer programs are attainable for people on a low budget, with sample prices for a 2-week period being US $770.

Why We Selected GoEco

GoEco earned itself a spot on this list of the best international volunteer organizations through their commitment to the environment, stellar reviews and lack of any kind of registration fee.

Global Crossroad

Global Crossroad is one of the best and cheap volunteer abroad organizations in the world that was founded in 2003, with programs that have been trusted by thousands of volunteers for over a decade.

The volunteering company prides itself in running the most highly rated and affordable volunteering and internship programs, summer programs, mini-adventures, hands on medical volunteer programs, family volunteering projects and more. The volunteering opportunities are available in 18 countries across Asia, Latin American and Africa. GoEco has a number of free to affordable volunteering opportunities in India.

Global Crossroad Volunteering Opportunities in India

Teaching

India is still a developing country and is greatly affected by poverty and lack of equal opportunities. Unfortunately, the difference between rich and poor vast and incredibly pronounced. Poor children cannot attend private schools and are deprived from English learning opportunities. Many public schools in Delhi lack a proper English education due to underfunding and understaffing. The government and NGOs in India work to provide education to the needy poor children, and require enormous assistance from teaching English volunteers.

By participating in a Volunteering teaching program in India, you will help the deprived children of India develop English language skills. Your passion to teach children English will provide better life opportunities for them.

This is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in many lives of children, young adults and adults in India, enabling them ample of opportunity for a brighter future and good career prospects.

Medical

This is a low-priced but not entirely free program for the person who is truly passionate about becoming or advancing as a healthcare professional or is currently practicing medicine. Although filled with many good points, India is still a country where there are many who have little access to quality healthcare. Becoming a medical volunteer would be a huge help to the country.

When you volunteer in medical program in India, you will work alongside the local doctors and nurses in local clinics and hospitals. It is an amazing opportunity for you to make a difference and learn about the current healthcare system in India. You will know and recognize local diseases and understand how local medical professionals diagnose and treat diseases.

This is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in the health of many lives in India. You will also earn a remarkable sense of accomplishment, pride, and fulfilment.

Orphanage Project

India is a developing country and has the associated social circumstances. Unfortunately, due to extreme poverty and social discrimination, hundreds of children leave their homes and escape to the cities in pursuit of work, food and money. Most of them end up working in restaurants, houses, or companies, where they are subjugated and exploited. These children are robbed of basic needs like education, home-like environment, and opportunities.

By joining this volunteering opportunity in India orphanage program, you will help numerous orphanages to deliver to children more secure, safer and positive lives. Your love and passion through educational support and extra-curricular activities will offer children a chance to rebuild their lives for a better future. When committing to volunteering work in an orphanage in India, you will teach English and other subjects such as geography, history, music, computer skills, and arts and crafts.

Through your support, you will offer fresh energy to the orphanages. In addition to working in an orphanage, it will be a perfect place to share love, kindness and efforts with children.

HIV/AIDS Project

In India, there is a serious shame attached to those infected with HIV/AIDS. People are still unconscious about HIV/AIDS and many underprivileged people in India lack education on the causes of AIDS and its transmission. People who become infected are often rejected from their own family's homes and from society. In Delhi and Jaipur, initiatives are in place to develop HIV/AIDS awareness, education, and provide care to those infected.

Volunteers in India are needed to foster awareness of the disease and work to change attitudes and behaviors towards those unlucky enough to be infected. Your dedication to the HIV volunteering project in India will be of great service and make a huge difference in the lives of many suffering individuals in India.

Not only will you help save lives and positively change lives but also it will be rewarding knowing that your work will prevent the future generations from getting and spreading the disease.

Reviews

When looking for the best and free volunteer opportunities in India, it’s important to take into account online reviews from fellow volunteers. PMGY receives glowing reviews with a 91% score on Go Overseas and a 8.8/10 on Abroad Reviews with a combined 400+ reviews between them. Examples of praise from past volunteers are: “I would totally recommend it to anyone” and “It was a fun experience and definitely enjoyed myself and im sure my friends did as well.”

The Fee

Global Crossroad is one of the best India volunteer providers and is the cheapest provider on this list. Global Crossroad is very affordable, and most of their travel and volunteer programs are attainable for people on a low budget, with sample prices for a 2-week period being US $599.

Why We Selected Global Crossroad

The best part of Global Crossroad International Volunteers is their grassroots approach to volunteering, as well as their incredibly reasonable prices, exciting programs and great reviews online.

Love Volunteers

Love Volunteers was initially a brother and sister team from New Zealand that started in 2009, offering some of the best and cheap volunteer abroad programs in the world. Shocked by the huge fees charged for volunteering abroad, they knew there must be a better way. The company’s utmost focus is making sure that their international volunteer programmes are all fully transparent when it comes to the fees paid and where they go. Love Volunteers has a number of free to affordable volunteer opportunities in India.

Love Volunteers programs in India

Love Volunteers – Teaching in Jaipur

India is an emerging country but is still deeply affected by poverty and a lack of equal opportunities. As a busy tourism city, skills in English are seen as vital for future employment prospects in Jaipur. A solid education can make way for a path out of poverty for many, with volunteers needed greatly to assist in the journey. Love Volunteer’s aim for this important program is that it is a mutual exchange of skills and experiences that enriches both parties. The city of Jaipur requires enormous help from teaching English volunteers.

This India English teaching volunteer program was established to progress the education of children in the beautiful city of Jaipur. Volunteers will teach and assist local teachers across a range of subject matter, with a particular focus on the English language.

This is a great opportunity to help make a difference in many lives of children, young adults and adults in Jaipur, enabling them ample of opportunity for a brighter future and good career prospects.

Love Volunteers – Street Children in Jaipur

It is estimated that over 100 million homeless children in India do not have access to even the most basic of education and spend most of their time roaming the streets in search for food or anything valuable to sell. In the city of Delhi alone, it is estimated that there are almost 200,000 street children, some runaways who have fled their poverty-stricken families, many of whom simply could not afford to feed them, forced to fend for themselves.

The help and assistance received from India international volunteers is invaluable, not only in the provision of basic education, guidance and support, but in the simple act of giving love and attention – something that every child desires and deserves.

Volunteers can help to bring smile to the faces of these severely disadvantaged children by helping to create an environment conducive to their development, which in turn enables them become a part of mainstream society and onward toward living a long and happy life.

Love Volunteers – Women Empowerment in Jaipur

In Jaipur, there are many women who have been disenfranchised and are discriminated against, even in this day and age. Sadly, there are countless women who have experienced physical, sexual or emotional abuse. Living in a male-dominated ‘classist’ society, many women in India are illiterate and lack the opportunities to develop this and other fundamental skills. Thus, the fight for equality starts with support and education.

As a volunteer India women's rights, you’ll help to support these women with informal training in skills such as written and spoken English, beauty therapy, computing, sewing, embroidery and knitting (as applicable to volunteer’s skills and experience). Love Volunteers will help women gain the kind of exposure and self-reliance they need. Volunteers work in various centers set up by local non-governmental organizations working for women’s development, focusing on the development of women and young girls living in the poorer urban areas (the slums) in Delhi and surrounding areas.

This is a great volunteer opportunities in India to help make a difference in many lives of women in Jaipur, enabling them ample of opportunity for a brighter future and good career prospects.

Love Volunteers – Orphanage Program in Jaipur

Due to extreme poverty, gender bias towards males and ill health, thousands of children in India are given shelter in community-care centers and shelters run by various non-governmental organizations. The children who find themselves at one of these facilities have often come from extremely problematic and traumatic circumstances, leaving them distressed and detached from the joys of childhood.

Volunteers involved in this program will assist in helping with, and caring for these mistreated children. As a volunteer in India, you will participate in the daily routines and make a huge impact just by being caring and giving the children some much-needed attention. By being there to offer care and compassion, volunteers are making a huge impact on the lives of these wonderful children.

This is a great opportunity to help make a difference in many lives of children in Jaipur, enabling them ample of opportunity for a brighter future.

Reviews

When looking for the best volunteer work, it’s important to take into account online reviews from fellow volunteers. Love Volounteer receives glowing reviews with a 91% score on Go Overseas and a 9.65/10 on Abroad Reviews with a combined 300+ reviews between them. Examples of praise from past volunteers are: “An experience that surpassed my expectation!” and “The project was far beyond what I had expected.”

The Fee

Love Volunteers is one of the best India volunteer providers but is one of the more expensive providers on this list. Love Volunteers is very affordable, and most of their travel and volunteer programs are attainable for people on a low budget, with sample prices for a 2-week period being US $848.

Why We Selected Love Volunteers

The thing we love most about Love Volunteers is how they’ve made their fees and process incredibly transparent, all with low prices and great reviews across multiple websites for their international volunteer opportunities to boot.

A Broader View

A Broader View Volunteers (ABV) is a US company based in Pennsylvania that was founded in 2007 by a passionate group of strong-willed people motivated to help others in the world who were less fortunate. As one of the best and cheapest volunteer abroad providers, the company was founded upon the belief that one person alone can make a world of difference in the lives of others through meaningful volunteer work.

The organization has a number of reputable volunteering opportunities, in everything from national parks, orphanages, hospitals, animal conservation centers and women’s shelters to teaching opportunities around the world to help you grow into the global citizen you were destined to be, with a “broader view” of the world. The company is 100% family-owned with a charity and not-for-profit focus. ABV has a number of free to affordable volunteer opportunities in India.

A Broader View ‘s India volunteer opportunities

Animal Care In Jaipur

Many animals lack proper care in India and are furthermore subject to harsh living conditions and realities, many seriously injured with no prospects of proper medical attention. This India volunteering work project is perfect for veterinary students, or animal lovers interested in providing care and shelter to animals in need . Based in the city of Jaipur, the shelter cares for animals and birds. Some of the animals cared for at the shelter include peacocks, dogs, cats, cows, monkeys, rabbits, eagles, parrots, pigeons, and crows. Daily tasks include taking care of the animals and birds, cleaning their cages, feeding them, washing them, giving vaccines, maintaining records, preparing their food, educating the people about animal rights and motivating the locals to adopt them. This is a challenging volunteer opportunities in India with physical work challenges and long hours, but the rewards of increased animal welfare knowledge and personal fulfilment are certainly promised.

Elephant Conservation in Jaipur

Elephants are widely revered in India and are an important facet of India’s tourism industry. The elephants in Jaipur have a long history of being part of religious and Indian cultural ceremonies for centuries. Ensuring that they are properly cared for and looked after is essential.

Volunteers will involve themselves with activities that mahouts do every day. This means making food bundles, feeding elephants, cleaning their shelters, washing them, massaging their head, trimming their nails, decorating them before going for a ride and simply to enjoy their presence.

This is a great India elephant conservation volunteer project to help bring solace to the elephants and ensure they are properly cared for.

Construction in Jaipur and Udaipur

With many living far below the poverty line, and the country lacking financial resources to build important establishments and institutions, there is a huge demand for construction volunteers. In Jaipur and Udaipur, buildings often urgently need restoration and re-construction, and of course there is a demand for the construction of new buildings altogether.

Things needed are: the restoration and decoration of health care centers, as well as primary or middle schools, children homes and the decoration of the school interiors by artists. Other things needed are preparing sports facilities, landscaping, repairing houses for families that need urgent support and the development of garbage and recycling facilities.

This is a fantastic India volunteering experience to help build new buildings and new dreams, and ensure social development in important communities.

Teaching English in Jaipur and Udaipur

In recent years, English was introduced into Rajasthan Government Primary Schools, but the teachers were not up to speed with teaching English as a foreign language. Often their own skills in the English language are limited, so volunteers are able to expose the students to excellent English language models.

As a Teaching English in India volunteer, you will be teaching English, with a main focus on developing basic English conversational skills and some basic written English skills; you’ll also help the students work on vocabulary development and basic grammatical structures for spoken and written English, teach Maths if possible, create fun and playful lessons with games and more.

Your voluntary teaching work affords you with an opportunity to cultivate new skills in a very different environment. In addition, your work in the school adds to the educational experience of the children. It is a valuable opportunity for the students to interact with people from another culture who speak another language.

Reviews

When looking for the best and free volunteer opportunities in India, it’s important to take into account online reviews from fellow volunteers. ABV receives glowing reviews with a 99% score on Go Overseas and a 4.99 out of 5 rating on Volunteer Forever, with a combined 400+ reviews between them. Examples of praise from past volunteers are: “The support provided by ABV staff was truly amazing. So much more than I could imagine.” and “I really could have not asked for a better experience.”

The Fee

ABV is one of the best volunteer opportunities in India but is one of the more expensive providers on this list. ABV is affordable, and most of their travel and volunteer programs are attainable for people on a low budget, with sample prices for a 2-week period being US $860.

Why We Selected ABV

The company makes it its prime aim to create global citizens who have a “broader view” of the world around them and genuinely help make the world a better place.

IFRE Volunteers

With a focus on offering the most affordable India volunteer worksacross multiple areas such as working orphanages, healthcare, teaching, wildlife and more without sacrificing the high level of quality, safety and service that other organizations might, IFRE is an American organization that was founded in 2006. It has built up a stellar reputation for being one of the leading volunteer abroad organizations of the world, with programs in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

The non-profit based in Dallas, Texas offers some of the best and cheap international volunteer and internship programs providers of the world, and has served over 22,000 happy volunteers with programs that allow people to discover their greater purpose in life and to create impact through their helping of humanitarian organizations, communities abroad and wildlife areas that desperately seek help. IFRE has a number of free to affordable volunteer opportunities in India.

IFRE volunteer programs in India

Teaching English

Nearly 300 million people in India are underprivileged, and these poor families can’t afford private English instruction. Therefore, public schools welcome native English speakers to teach valuable skills that will help students of poor families to grow up and get well-paying jobs to put an end to the cycle of poverty.

When you join this volunteer English teaching program in India, you will be teaching English to underprivileged Indian kids in local government schools. You’ll work under the direction of the head teacher to teach English, as well as helping to shape fun extra-curricular activities. You may help the students with homework, or aid in the school’s administrative duties.

By volunteering as an English teacher, you will provide hope for a better future for children who otherwise would not expect much out of life. The skills you impart as well as the love and care you provide will greatly inspire the children and motivate them to reach their full potential, and enrich your life as well.

HIV/AIDS Awareness

It is a sad reality that two million people in India are currently living with the HIV/AIDS virus. There is a serious lack of knowledge regarding how the disease is spread, and those who become infected are often pushed out of their family homes and become outcasts from society.

As a volunteer in this India HIV volunteer program, you will team up with local community groups and organizations in Delhi to raise further awareness and offer care and help to individuals infected with HIV/AIDS. You will help enable better access to medication, counselling for HIV positive people and their families, and even teach them cherished skills like woodworking, candle-making, and other activities to ensure people infected with HIV can still earn a living.

As a volunteer raising HIV/AIDS awareness in India with IFRE’s meaningful program, you can help prevent future infections and teach communities about the disease and how to treat those already living with HIV/AIDS with respect and kindness.

Orphanage Program

India is a country subject to extreme poverty and social discrimination, with more than 20 million orphans, many of them having left their homes to travel to cities to work in restaurants, houses or companies, where they suffer lives of extreme exploitation.

As a volunteer for orphanages in India, you will be acting as a caregiver, mentor, and friend to the children living in the orphanages. You will teach them English, provide them with daily care, help them get to and from school, help with their homework, and occupy the children with fun extra-curricular activities like sports, arts and crafts, playing games, and more.

By joining this volunteer opportunity in India, you can play a direct role in improving the lives of these orphans. Your dedication will motivate and inspire the children as you share your kindness and compassion with them.

Medical Program

This is a low-priced but not entirely free program for the person who is truly passionate about becoming or advancing as a healthcare professional or is currently practicing medicine. Although filled with many good points, India is still a country where there are many who have little access to quality healthcare. Becoming a medical volunteer would be a huge help to the country.

When you join IFRE’s medical volunteering program in India, you will work in a number of hospitals and clinics in and around Dehli. You will volunteer for roughly 4-6 hours per day, chiefly learning through shadowing the doctors who see, diagnose, and treat patients.

This is a remarkable opportunity to help make a difference in many lives and improve the health and wellbeing of many patients in India, while simultaneously learning about an entirely different healthcare system.

Reviews

When looking for the best and free volunteering work opportunities in India, it’s important to take into account online reviews from fellow volunteers. IFRE receives glowing reviews with a 89% score on Go Overseas and a 9.1/10 rating on Abroad Reviews, with a combined 400+ reviews between them. Examples of praise from past volunteers are: “Overall it was a worthwhile experience.” and “It was wonderful meeting the children and helping to teach them.”

The Fee

IFRE is one of the best free India volunteer providers but is one of the cheapest on this list. IFRE is very affordable, and most of their travel and volunteer programs are attainable for people on a low budget, with sample prices for a 2-week period being US $599.

Why We Selected IFRE

When you put together IFRE’s commitment to providing their international volunteers with in-depth support with great reviews and affordable prices, you get an excellent choice for volunteering internationally, and a worthy selection for this list.

Frontier

Frontier was established in 1989 and has for the last three decades redefined the meaning of travelling abroad, turning it into an impactful experience to make a valuable difference in the world. Frontier is one of the top leaders in crafting volunteer abroad programs, having placed over 103,000 successful volunteer places since its inception. Working all over the world in exotic locations from Fiji and Belize to Madagascar and more, Frontier’s volunteers, interns and international staff have contributed to continued successes and meaningful impacts on the countries its volunteers have worked in. Frontier has a number of free to affordable volunteer opportunities in India.

Frontier Volunteer in India programs

Madikeri Volunteering

This is one of the more expensive programs that involves some volunteering with more submersion into experiencing India, its culture and people and learning about the Indian way of life. An entire week is dedicated to doing just that.

After your initial week you will then begin your volunteering experience in India, with a range of options available to you as part of this project. Take your pick from a wide variety of volunteering opportunities including teaching and community assistance.

Goa Volunteer

This is one of the more expensive programs that involves some volunteering with more submersion into experiencing India, its culture and people and learning about the Indian way of life. An entire week is dedicated to doing just that.

Taking in local sites of special interest, cooking lessons, and possibly your experience of yoga and meditation, you will discover practices that are principal to Indian philosophy and the local way of life. Once you are comfortable, you will receive your briefings for the India volunteer work to begin.

Your work programme and schedule will vary depending on the time of your visit and any personal interest or experience. Options available are teaching, orphanage work, working in women’s shelters and elderly care work.

Rajasthan Volunteer

This is one of the more expensive programs that involves some volunteering with more submersion into experiencing India, its culture and people and learning about the Indian way of life. An entire week is dedicated to doing just that.

After your initial week you will then begin your volunteering experience in India, with a range of options available to you as part of this project. Take your pick from a wide variety of volunteering opportunities including teaching and community assistance. Programs to consider are the Udaipur Slum Outreach program, volunteering in a school for learning difficulties, volunteering at a school for those who have impaired hearing or working at a homeless shelter.

This is a great opportunity to help make a difference in many lives, enabling them ample of opportunity for a brighter future.

Women’s Empowerment in Kerala

Many women in India struggle financially due to a lack of education and vocational skills and the program addresses this problem by teaching vocational skills that can be used to generate an income. Many of the women that join Frontier’s program have been subjected to abuse – either at home or through the prostitution industry. The program therefore provides an important safe haven for women to support each other discuss personal issues.

Throughout this volunteer India women's rights, you will have an active input towards the support and empowerment of women within the local community. You will lead group and one-on-one classes as well as plan and develop lesson plans for the sessions. There is also a high demand for these women to learn spoken English and computer skills.

Volunteering in this women’s empowerment program in Kerala will provide a safe haven for many women to develop their self-esteem and independence in a supportive environment. You will make a positive and lasting contribution to women’s empowerment in Kerala.

Reviews

When looking for the best and free opportunities in India, it’s important to take into account online reviews from fellow volunteers. Frontier receives some good reviews with a 88% score on Go Overseas and a 8.81/10 rating on Go Abroad, with a combined 1000+ reviews between them. Examples of praise from past volunteers are: “My experience working in Community was so rewarding” and “I have had a great time on the project.”

The Fee

Frontier is one of the best volunteer opportunities in India providers but is one of the most expensive on this list. Frontier is still moderately affordable, and most of their travel and volunteer programs are attainable for people on a moderate budget, with sample prices for a 2-week period being US $945.

Why We Chose Frontier

The company is one of the longest-serving and most established of volunteering abroad opportunity providers.

GVI

Global Vision International (GVI) is a US company that was founded in 1998 that runs the best and cheap volunteering programs in 21 locations and 13 countries around the world. Each of the programs are managed by GVI’s staff who are all closely aligned with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and partners on the ground in host countries.

With the aim of turning volunteers into global citizens who can help make the world a better place, the worldwide team of Global Vision International has a united passion of making a real difference. The volunteering opportunities provider runs high-quality programs that have earned it the recognition from numerous credible organizations such as Panthera, Save The Children and many others. GVI has a number of free to affordable volunteer opportunities in India.

GVI Volunteer Programs in India

Childcare in Kerala

International volunteers partnering with GVI on education projects in India will work in the city of Kochi, Kerala. Throughout your time volunteering, you will be assisting local schools and educational institutions that GVI partners with by conducting extra-curricular workshops on a variety of different topics tailor-made to the needs of each of the project’s partners, whilst also supporting the teachers to create more dynamic learning environments for the students to learn in.

Improving the conversational and academic English language skills of primary and secondary school aged students is the central focus of these projects, but workshops that serve older students and adults are also made available. India volunteers will help teach in a classroom setting or tutor students who need additional support.

This is an amazing opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of many children and young adults living in Kerala and brightening many futures with the skill of English and other extra-curricular activities.

Women’s Empowerment in Kerala

In this Women’s empowerment initiative, you’ll join GVI’s international team of permanent staff members, long-term interns, and short-term women’s empowerment India volunteers, to learn about and support ongoing gender equality programs in India.

The types of organizations you might volunteer with include schools, women’s groups, and other community-based organizations, and you’ll be doing things such as running a range of workshops with local women and participate in other types of vocational skill classes to help women stand a better chance of future employment.

This volunteer India women's rights is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in the lives of many women living in Kerala brightening many futures with the skill of English.

Healthcare in Kerala

This is a low-priced but not entirely free program for the person who is truly passionate about becoming or advancing as a healthcare professional or is currently practicing medicine. Although filled with many good points, India is still a country where there are many who have little access to quality healthcare. Becoming a medical volunteer would be a huge help to the country.

As a GVI healthcare volunteer in India, you will take part in a broad range of health focused community development initiatives in an urban context. You will get the chance to run health workshops with local community groups, which could include women’s self-help initiatives or groups organized and run by local community based organisations. You could also be conducting health workshops with primary and secondary aged school children. More importantly, you will help GVI’s long term project partners gain a better understanding and awareness of health related topics.

This is a powerful opportunity to help make a difference in the lives and health of many living in India.

Reviews

When looking for the best and free opportunities in India, it’s important to take into account online reviews from fellow volunteers. GVI receives great reviews with a 96% score on Go Overseas and a 9.49/10 on Go Abroad with a combined 4000+ reviews between them. Examples of praise from past volunteers are: “I would completely and 100% recommend this to everyone and anyone!” and “This was definitely one of the best experiences in my life!”

The Fee

GVI is one of the best India volunteer trips providers and is the most expensive on this list. Most of their travel and volunteer programs are attainable for people on a more flexible budget, with sample prices for a 2-week period being US $1729.

Why We Selected GVI

Although GVI is definitely the most expensive provider of volunteering work opportunities in India, it’s not hard to see why we’d choose Global Vision International for this list. The company receives universal praise from experts, researchers and journalists and has an amazing number of positive reviews online.

If India is not in your list for now, you might be looking for best and affordable volunteer programs in Sri Lanka, Bali, Cambodia, Tanzania, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Uganda, Costa Rica, and Thailand.

FREE Volunteering In India

Now, without further ado, let’s talk about the ‘Free’ Volunteering Organizations in India. An important point to mention is:

Be Realistic about “Volunteering for Free”

Is there really such thing as “free” volunteering when it comes to travelling abroad?

Ideally, volunteering work should be available to anyone for free. It should be a free exchange of participation, opportunity and services. But, whether you go to India or elsewhere, the reality is different, and the term ‘free volunteering’ does not necessarily mean that it is “absolutely free”. There are still some costs to consider, such as flights and food.

Anybody who has travelled to India as an international volunteer and knows the ins and outs of volunteering in the country would suggest you to have a realistic expectation when it comes to a free volunteering opportunity in India. They would point to the fact that most of the leading volunteering organizations in India are able to operate mainly because they receive generous support from local and international volunteers.

A few of the international volunteer organizations that are well-funded provide you food and shelter for free and do not expect you to contribute to cover operational costs. A large number of the organizations, however, rely on your participation and generous contributions. They want you to bear the responsibility of supporting yourself with your personal expenses and, usually, spare a little extra for the operational costs. Thus far, you should consider your volunteering involvement with them as free.

As a note of caution, while looking for volunteer opportunities in India, do not overemphasize the ‘free’ factor. Yes, avoid the programs with chokingly high fees, but be equally careful not to be trapped by the programs that seem dirt-cheap in the beginning but come to bite you from the back with hidden fees. Do thorough research into the social profile of the potential organizations before venturing out with.

More info about Free Volunteer programs in India

How Can I Find Free Volunteer Abroad Programs in India?

Here’s some tips for finding free international volunteer program through independent research:

Contact local organizations in India directly

Visitn on-profit directory websites like idealist.org. These websites list non-profit volunteer opportunities in India and worldwide and allow you to contact local organizations directly.

Talk to your friends who have volunteered in India

Ask your friends about local opportunities and get organization contacts from people they’ve worked with. They will also be able to give you a much better idea of what its like to volunteer in that country, area, or with that project.

Utilize social media or travel forums

Take advantage of your social media account – Facebook, Twitter or Instagram! Ask people if they know of any India free volunteering opportunities. Even if your immediate first-degree contacts do not, they could connect you with some of their friends who do. You can also post on Quora or Facebook groups in search of opportunities.

Network where you are if you’ve already started travelling

If you have already hit the ground running and you are currently traveling abroad, use your local contacts to your advantage. This is a good way to get connected with a community and see how you can make a difference on a local level. If you are staying at a hostel or hotel, ask the front desk if they have access to any local organizations that are looking for volunteers.

Narrow your search by searching for either country-specific or project-specific free volunteer opportunities in India

If you narrow your search in this way, you will discover lesser-known programs that you may not have been able to find otherwise. It seems obvious, but even doing a simple Google search for your specific country or area of interest can make a world of difference in your abroad program search!

Look into websites that put you in touch with volunteer hosts in India

There are some really great volunteer networking websites available, such as WorkAway, HelpStay, and WWOLF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms). For a small sign-up fee, these websites put you in touch with hosts in a variety of countries who are keen and willing to take on volunteers. In exchange for your skills and help, you get free accommodation and meals for a long or short term stay.

How Can I Check The Legitimacy Of An Abroad Volunteer Organization?

Here’s a list of things you immediately want to look out for when researching and selecting your volunteering organization.

Ask yourself how the organization is able to offer India free volunteer opportunities

You may start your research by finding out why that organization is offering free volunteer abroad programs when other volunteer organizations need program fees to run operations and to host volunteers. You may ask the following questions: Where does this organization get their funding from? How do they pay room/food for volunteers? What are the benefits of offering free volunteering abroad programs?

Double check what’s financially expected from you as a volunteer

Be direct with your organization and ask specific questions. If they hesitate to give you information of have hidden fees, you likely don’t want to volunteer through them anyway. Ask what parts of your India volunteer experience are free, whether there are program or registration fees, and who pays for your housing and food. Ensure that there won’t be any unanticipated costs upon arrival or departure including expectations for donations or gifts.

You may also ask yourself: what will be the full cost of my experience once I’ve completed my program? When you look at your overall budget for a “free” volunteering abroad experience, it may be the same if not more than a fee-based program that includes housing, transportation, food, and more peace of mind.

Analyze the program’s mission and commitment to local causes

Any good volunteer agency should have a professional website with a clear mission statement and outlined values. They should tell you specifics about how their local projects, programs, and causes contribute to the community. If they don’t offer that information or can’t provide adequate details, chances are that there won’t be real impact in what you’re doing.

Research the organization’s history and legal standing

Most organizations that offer free volunteer overseas India programs are small agencies, therefore it’s really important to know how long they’ve been established, whether they are registered with local government officials, and if they’ve hosted other volunteers successfully. They should have a website with a clear “About” section that includes a mission, vision, or organizational values. Look for affiliations with volunteer bodies, past awards, recommendations from trustworthy sources, and listings in volunteer directories.

Read reviews and travel blogs of the past volunteers

Reviews don't all have to be positive, but the majority should be. Think about the legitimacy of the online review – do the comments sound genuine, as if real people wrote them? Search for program and organization reviews on volunteer forums and feedback sites, as the volunteer placement provider cannot control the content of these.

Check their website for up-to-date and clear information

Before joining a free volunteer opportunity in India please make sure their blog, social media, and web presence are updated regularly and professional looking. A good and active organization keeps their website, blog, and other social media presence updated. This tells a lot about an organization.

Evaluate the agency’s communication skills

A decent organization will make every effort to communicate with you as promptly as they are able, and do so fast and efficiently. Be aware that if your messages, questions or concerns are ignored or evaded before you travel, you have little chance of better service once you have left to begin your free volunteer work in India.

Make sure that your organization has worked with other volunteers who have had good experiences

Search the organization’s website for pictures or testimonies from other volunteers. If they don’t have a website or their content is outdated, request previous volunteer information. They should give you this information without hesitation. If they can’t offer previous volunteer information, that’s a huge sign that they don’t have experience or can’t offer the program type they are suggesting.

Analyze the program’s organization and past experience

Volunteer agencies offering free volunteer programs may not have the experience or staff to provide an organized experience, which comes at a cost to you. Make sure you ask plenty of questions before committing to a program and decide for yourself if the agency seems like an experienced agency.

Some free Volunteer programs in India Providers to consider are:

• Helpstay
• We are Crazy
• Sadhna Village, Pune
• SevaMandir, Udaipur

In Conclusion

So, there you have it, the top 10 best and cheap India volunteer providers and their programs, as well as 10 free India volunteering providers to add to your research for finding the best India volunteering opportunity for you. Armed with all this information, you can now choose the best and cheapest, or free, India volunteer programs ensuring that everything from the cost and destination to project type, impact, cultural experiences and social life is all that you want it to be.