With its diverse cultures and colorful daily life, India is one of the world’s most popular places to volunteer. Whether you are a high school student looking for a meaningful gap year or taking a career break to travel and give back, Volunteering India offers responsible volunteer programs in Delhi and Jaipur to suit you.
The best trips are planned well in advance, especially one that asks for your full commitment and brings a dash of adventure too. Here are our most recommended volunteering programs in India for 2026.
1. Volunteer with street children in Delhi
Our street children program is one of the most popular volunteer projects in India, and it suits volunteers of all ages from 17. It takes dedication, patience and optimism to make the most of your time. You work at shelter homes and non-formal education centers in Delhi, spending time with the children and doing whatever it takes to make them smile.
What volunteers do
- Help run informal lessons for the children.
- Play games and introduce new activities.
- Encourage good habits such as hand-washing, hygiene and greeting people.
- Join the staff on occasional outings to a museum or the zoo. The children love these trips.
- Above all, give the children attention, encouragement and basic literacy support.
2. Teaching in Jaipur
Good spoken and written English opens doors in India, and for children from low-income families it can make a real difference to their future. On our teaching program in Jaipur, you join a government, NGO or community school as an assistant to the local teachers and work with middle-school classes on English, math or sports.
You don’t need to be a professional teacher, and you don’t need a TEFL certificate. What you need is patience, enthusiasm, intermediate English and a wish to help children learn. Classes run in the mornings, about 8am to 1pm, so your afternoons are free. Volunteers on this program must be 18 or over.
3. Women’s empowerment in Delhi
Women in India have made huge progress, and today they excel in almost every profession, often as leaders. But in the poorest communities, many women and girls still miss out on education and the chance to earn. Our women’s empowerment program places you at community centers in Delhi’s urban slums, run by local NGOs, where women and teenage girls learn to read and write, speak English, use computers and learn trades such as sewing, embroidery and beauty work.
Volunteers help with English conversation, computer lessons and vocational classes, and lead discussions that build confidence. Many of the women find it easiest to open up to women volunteers, but in the end it is your approach that matters most, not your gender.
4. Summer volunteering in India
Summer is our busiest season, popular with high school and college students and gap year travelers. Spending the summer break abroad is a great way to see India and do something useful at the same time.
All our programs in Delhi and Jaipur run through June, July and August, with Delhi start dates twice a month and Jaipur start dates every Sunday. You volunteer on weekdays and explore at weekends: the monuments of Delhi, the Taj Mahal in Agra, the forts and palaces of Jaipur and the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is hot, so plan for it: our summer guide has tips and start dates.
5. Two-week mini break
Volunteering India has hosted international volunteers in Delhi since 2004, and we know what our volunteers look for. Volunteering comes first, but exploring a new country, learning its history and soaking up its culture matter too.
That is why we created our two-week mini break: eight days with children at shelter homes and day-care centers in Delhi, plus a guided city tour and a day trip to the Taj Mahal, already planned. It suits anyone who is short on time but still wants to make a difference and see some of India.
Alongside these programs, we offer childcare, slum schools and construction and renovation in Jaipur, and special needs care, a Hindi and culture week, childcare and elephant rescue and a medical internship in Delhi. See all our programs and choose the one that suits you best.
Make the most of your weekends
A volunteer trip to India is an enriching journey in itself. The culture and heritage, the magnificent architecture, the varied landscapes and the warmth of the people will keep surprising you.
Weekdays are busy, with volunteers working alongside local staff at their projects. Weekends are free to explore the cities or take short trips. Explore Delhi’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, or join one of our weekend trips to see the Taj Mahal in Agra, spend a weekend in Jaipur or travel to Amritsar for the Golden Temple. Many volunteers also head to the Himalayan foothills, such as Rishikesh or McLeod Ganj, on a long weekend, and your coordinator can help you plan the journey.
We are taking bookings for 2026 and 2027, and our team will make sure you have a great volunteering journey in India. Not sure which program to choose? Tell us what you are looking for at info@volunteeringindia.com and we will help you decide.