Making plans for next year? Before your list fills up, pause for a moment and add volunteering in India in summer 2027.
Most of our resolutions are about personal goals. This time, try something different that also spreads a little happiness.
Volunteering India runs programs in Delhi and Jaipur right through the summer. You can explore India in a way few visitors do and help children, women and communities who need it. Summer volunteering suits high school, college and university students, gap year travelers, backpackers, groups and solo travelers who want to give something back.
How long can I go for, and what will I do?
You choose. All our programs run through June, July and August, and you can join most of them for as little as one week. Delhi programs start on two Sundays a month and run for up to 18 weeks; Jaipur programs start every Sunday and run for up to 12 weeks. If you would rather have everything planned, two programs come with a fixed itinerary: the two-week mini break and the 15-day childcare and elephant rescue trip.
Here is how the two-week mini break runs:
Your journey begins in New Delhi. We meet you at the airport on Day 1, and on Day 2 you have your orientation and time to settle in. On Day 3, a guided tour takes you to Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Lotus Temple, Humayun’s Tomb and India Gate.
From Day 4, you volunteer with children at a shelter home or day-care center, helping with informal lessons, playing games and introducing new activities.
On Day 7, you take a day trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, the monument of love that Emperor Shah Jahan built in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Day 8 is free: many volunteers take the Metro to Akshardham or shop at Janpath and Dilli Haat.
From Day 9 to Day 13, you are back with the children for a full week, and on Day 14 it is time to head home.
Want to build something? Join our construction and renovation program in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Many schools, community centers and clinics in Jaipur can’t afford to repair or decorate their buildings. Our coordinators pick one at a time, and volunteers fix it up with repairs, painting and bright murals. At weekends, explore the City Palace, Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal, or take a trip to the lakeside town of Pushkar.
What are the requirements?
To volunteer in India this summer:
- You should be 17 or older when you start. A few programs, including special needs care, the medical internship, and teaching and childcare in Jaipur, are open from 18.
- If you are under 18, you need a consent form signed by a parent.
- If you will work with children or vulnerable adults, you need a clean criminal background check issued within 12 months of your start date.
- You need travel and medical insurance for your whole stay.
- Bring an open mind, a flexible attitude and plenty of energy and enthusiasm.
Where will I stay, and what will I eat?
When you arrive in Delhi, our team meets you at Indira Gandhi International Airport. In Jaipur, we pick you up at the airport or railway station.
In Delhi, you stay at our hostel in the south of the city, a few minutes’ walk from the Metro, sharing a room with volunteers of the same gender. Rooms are air-conditioned in the hot months. The kitchen serves vegetarian Indian food at breakfast and dinner from Monday to Saturday; lunch on project days is your own, and Sundays are free for exploring Delhi’s food.
In Jaipur, you choose between our volunteer house, with Wi-Fi, hot water and air coolers for the summer, and a local host family. Either way, you get three vegetarian meals a day: home-style dishes such as dal, vegetable curry, rice and fresh roti.
Before you start your project, our coordinator runs an orientation on Indian culture, staying safe, your project and the places you can explore. If you have any dietary needs or allergies, tell us before you arrive.
What’s included in the price?
Programs start from $495 for one week, with the booking deposit included. See dates and prices for every program and length of stay. Every program includes:
- Pre-departure information: packing list, visa and health advice, and your coordinator’s details
- Airport pickup on your start date
- Orientation, and your first trip to your project with your coordinator
- Accommodation for your whole program
- Meals as listed for your city and program
- Your project placement and a local coordinator
- Support from our team at any hour, every day of your stay
- A certificate of participation, if you ask for one
Flights, your visa and insurance are not included. Weekend trips are optional extras, while the mini break and the childcare and elephant rescue trip include their sightseeing.
Why volunteer in India?
India is developing fast, but many people still face poverty, illiteracy and poor sanitation. As a volunteer in India, you help local organizations that work every day to give children, women and families a better chance.
Volunteering in India can be challenging and rewarding, and it may be one of the most meaningful experiences of your life. When you get home, you might even inspire others to come and volunteer too.
Want to know more about volunteering in India this summer? Email info@volunteeringindia.com and our team will get back to you.