Top 10 NGO in India: India, officially the Republic of India, is a South Asian country. It is the seventh-largest country in land area and the second-most populous. Since India’s independence in 1947, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have played an essential role in its development. These organisations work to improve society by addressing issues such as poverty, education, healthcare, women’s rights, and the environment. NGOs are typically run by individuals or groups passionate about social causes and work to achieve their objectives with little or no government intervention. Top NGO in India has developed and strengthened through their good works in the last few decades. However, only a few have impacted society; some are still working hard and serving the community. Some Top 10 NGO in India have reached a level, and some want to go where the Indian community has seen their efforts. Despite being surrounded by all the troubles prevailing in our nation, it lacks transparency or the rate of corruption.
This article provides comprehensive information about the Top 10 NGO in India and how they positively impact Society by doing outstanding work in India. You can check the information about the Best NGO in India and some information about the NGO, what it is nonprofit, how to start NGO, procedure etc.
[Table of Content] 1 What is NGO? 2 Types of NGOs 3 NGO Overviews 4 Role of NGOs 5 Best NGOs in India 6 How to Start an NGO? 7 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
What is NGO?
Before starting a complete article review, let’s first understand what’s NGO. An NGO is an organisation in which the government has no role, and It is a Non-governmental organisation. People who have good money or business help people through NGOs. NGOs are a subgroup of organisations established by citizens, including clubs and associations that provide services to their members and others—an organisation aimed at the welfare of society. NGOs do much social work, such as housing widowed women, teaching poor orphans, protecting women, etc.
Types of NGOs
There are many questions in our mind, how many types of NGOs and their orientation and level of operation may classify it. So we are providing complete knowledge about how many types of NGOs. NGOs are classified by their direction, which means the kind of activities an NGO undertakes, such as activities involving consumer protection, human rights, health, environmentalism, or development and level of operation, which means the scale at which an organization works: regional, local, national, or international.
Other acronyms commonly used to describe non-governmental organisations are:
BINGO (Business-friendly international NGO) | CSO (Civil society organization) |
ENGO (Environmental NGO) | DONGO (Donor-organized NGO) |
GONGO (Government-organized non-governmental organization) | GSO (Grassroots Support Organization) |
INGO (International NGO) | MANGO (Market advocacy NGO) |
NGDO (Non-governmental development organization) | NNGO (Northern (UK) NGO) |
PANGO (Party NGO — addressing political matters) | PVDO (Private voluntary development organization) |
Quango (Quasi-autonomous NGO) | SBO (Social benefit organization) |
SCO (Social change organization) | SNGO (Southern (UK) NGO) |
TANGO (Technical assistance NGO) | TNGO (Transnational NGO) |
YOUNGO (Youth NGOs – advocating for youth rights) | – |
Read also: What is NGOization
Role of NGOs
In this section, we provide detailed information about the Role of NGOs; you can check the table below.
Particular | Description |
---|---|
Advocacy for and with the Poor | NGOs can act as spokespeople for low-income people, attempting to influence government policies and programmes. This can be accomplished through various methods, including demonstration and pilot projects, public forums engagement, government policy and strategies, and dissemination of research findings and impoverished case studies. |
Bridging the Gap | Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) work to fill in gaps in government programmes and reach out to those typically overlooked by government projects. Research and Development: These non-governmental organizations (NGOs) do research and assist in advancing knowledge on current topics. They come up with creative solutions to social problems based on research. |
Acts as a Middleman | It is a nonprofit venture that acts as a middleman and is not under the control of any governmental body. Its goal is to improve the welfare of citizens. Individual needs are assessed by NGOs, which operate as a middleman between Society and the government. They are respected globally because they seek aid in the financial sector and many economic, social, and political structures. |
Read also: Top 10 Fundraising Ideas for NGO in India
NGO Overviews
Before checking the complete list of the best NGOs in India, look at the NGOs Overviews in the table below.
NGO (Full Form) | Non-Governmental Organization |
Types of NGO | Trust Act of 1882 Society Act of 1860 Section 8 Act 2013 |
Tax Benefits | 80G, 12AA |
FCRA | Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2010 |
Work Areas | Education, Health, Environment, Agriculture, Women’s and Children, Sports, Old Age etc. |
NGOs work | All over INDIA |
Orientation | Charities, Service, Participation, Empowerment |
Top 10 NGO in India
Many notable NGOs (non-governmental organizations) in India are doing excellent work in various areas such as education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, child rights, environmental conservation, and more. In this section, we provide the Top 10 NGO in India list and a short overview of the nonprofit organization with the help of a table.
1. CRY (Child Rights and You)
Recognized as India’s most trusted NGO, Child Rights and You (CRY) works tirelessly to ensure happier and healthier childhoods for India’s underprivileged children. CRY addresses children’s critical needs of healthcare, nutrition, education and protection from child labour and child marriage by working with parents, teachers, Anganwadi workers, communities, district and state-level governments, and the children. In the last 42 years, CRY has impacted the lives of over 3 million children across 19 states in India. Now, it is one of the Top 10 NGO in India.
Name | CRY (Child Rights and You) |
Types of Registration | Non-Governmental Organisation |
Founded | 1979 |
Founder | Rippan Kapur |
Area of Work | > Healthcare > Nutrition > Education > Protection from child labour > Protection from child marriage |
Official Website | www.cry.org |
Address | CRY – Child Rights and You, 189/A Anand Estate, Sane Guruji Marg, Mumbai – 400 011 |
Contact Details | [email protected] |
2. Smile Foundation
Smile Foundation is an NGO based in New Delhi, India. It was established in 2002 and has a presence in 25 states. As of 2017, the Foundation reaches approximately 4 lakh children and their families. The Smile Foundation for Education in India aimed to promote education among the underprivileged. Their development program includes Education, health, livelihood for children and women, and provision equally affected by lack of resources. Some of their programs are Smile on Wheels, Mission Education and Smile Twin e-learning. Now smile foundation is one of the Top NGO in India.
Name | Smile Foundation |
Types of Registration | Non-Governmental Organization |
Founded | 2002 |
Founder | Santanu Mishra |
Area of Work | We work on Education, Healthcare, Livelihood, Women Empowerment and Disaster response. |
Official Website | www.smilefoundationindia.org |
Address | 161 B/4, 3rd Floor, Gulmohar House, Yusuf Sarai Community Centre, New Delhi – 110049 |
Contact Details | [email protected] |
3. Give India Foundation
GiveIndia is a non-profit organisation in India. It is an online donation platform and aims to provide channels and resources to trusted non-governmental organisations across India. As a web portal, it helps raise funds and contributions from individuals in India and worldwide and distributes these donations to trusted NGOs. As we all know, India is working to improve our society, and because of their extreme level of hard work, it’s counted as one of the Top 10 NGOs in India.
Name | GiveIndia |
Types of Registration | Non-Profit Organisation |
Founded | 1999 |
Founder | Venkat Krishnan |
Area of Work | GiveIndia, an online donation platform, allows you to support a cause of choice from the NGOs evaluated for transparency and credibility. |
What We Do | GiveIndia is India’s largest and most trustworthy giving platform for donors. |
Official Website | www.giveindia.org |
Address | 1st floor, Rigel, No. 15-19 Doddanekkundi, Marathahalli Outer Ring Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka-560037 |
Contact Details | [email protected] |
4. Goonj
Goonj is a non-governmental organisation based in Delhi, India. It performs disaster relief, humanitarian aid and community development work in parts of 23 states of India. Echo focuses on clothes as a basic but unheard-of need. It was founded in 1999 by Anshu Gupta. In 2012, he was named India’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 by the Schwab Foundation, a World Economic Forum partner organisation. For his work with Goonj, he was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2015.
Goonj started with 67 garments and now deals with over 3500 tonnes of material yearly. It is registered under the Societies Act and Section 80G, 12A and FCRA to exempt foreign contributions.
Name | Goonj |
Types of Registration | Non-Governmental Organization |
Founded | 1999 |
Founder | Anshu Gupta |
Area of Work | We work on Education, Healthcare, Livelihood, Water, Sanitation, Environment, Access & Infrastructure and Disaster relief. |
Official Website | www.goonj.org |
Address | J-93, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi-110076 |
Contact Details | [email protected] |
5. Care India
CARE India has been working in India for 68 years and is a non-profit organisation focusing on reducing poverty and social injustice. We aim to empower women and girls from poor and marginalised communities and improve their lives and livelihoods. We do this through well-planned and comprehensive health, education, livelihood, disaster relief, and response projects. Care India reached 31.5 million people directly through 43 projects in 14 states, covering more than 90 districts.
Name | Care India |
Types of Registration | Non-Governmental Organization |
Founded | 1946 |
Founder | Lincoln Clark |
Area of Work | We work on Education, Healthcare, Livelihood, Gender, Water, Sanitation, Food Security, Emergency Response, Economic Development, Climate Change, Agriculture and Disaster relief. |
Official Website | www.careindia.org |
Address | A-12, Bhilwara Towers, Third Floor, Tower-II, Sector-1, Noida, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, 201 301 |
Contact Details | [email protected] |
6. Nanhi Kali
Nanhi Kali is an Indian non-governmental organization that supports education for underprivileged girls in India. Founded by Anand Mahindra in 1996, it is jointly managed by the Naandi Foundation and KC Mahindra Education Trust, part of the Mahindra Group’s corporate social responsibilities. Project Nani Kali educated girls and women positively to influence India in the long run. In an interview, the chairman of the non-profit organisation, Sheetal Mehta, told the Daily News and Analysis that “we wanted to create global awareness about the plight of young girls in the country who are denied their basic rights.”
Name | Nanhi Kali |
Types of Registration | Non-Governmental Organization |
Founded | 1996 |
Founder | Anand Mahindra |
Area of Work | Project Nanhi Kali, which translates to a little bud’ in Hindi, supports the education of underprivileged girls in India. Designed to help girls from low-income families complete ten years of formal schooling, the project has impacted the lives of over 450,000 girls (called Nanhi Kalis) from underserved communities across the country. |
Official Website | www.nanhikali.org |
Address | K. C. Mahindra Education Trust Cecil Court Near Regal Cinema Mahakavi Bhushan Marg Mumbai 400001 |
Contact Details | [email protected] |
7. Helpage India
HelpAge India is an Indian organisation focused on the concerns of elders. Established in 1978, its mission is to “work for the cause and care of under-aged elderly people and improve their standard of living”. HelpAge is taking action against universal pension, healthcare, and Elder Abuse at the national, state and social levels with the central and state governments and advocates for people in need. It runs various aged care programs to cater to the more significant needs. It aims to holistically serve disadvantaged elders to lead an active, dignified, healthy life.
Name | HelpAge India |
Types of Registration | Non-Governmental Organization |
Founded | 1978 |
Founder | Mr Jackson Cole, Samson Daniel |
Area of Work | We work on Education, Healthcare, Livelihood, Water, Sanitation, Environment, Access & Infrastructure and Disaster relief. |
Official Website | www.helpageindia.org |
Address | HelpAge India C–14 Qutab Institutional Area New Delhi – 110016 |
Contact Details | [email protected] |
8. Pratham
Pratham is one of the largest non-governmental organisations in India, and Madhav Chavan and Farida Lambe founded it. It works towards the provision of quality education for underprivileged children in India. Established in Mumbai in 1994 to provide preschool education to children in slums, Pratham has intervened in 23 states and union territories in India and supported chapters in the United States, Britain, Germany, and Sweden.
Name | Pratham |
Types of Registration | Non-Governmental Organization |
Tax Exemption Certificate | 80G, 12A, FCRA |
Founded | 1994 |
Area of Work | “Every Child in School and Learning well.” |
Founder | Madhav Chavan, Farida Lambay |
Official Website | www.pratham.org |
Address | Delhi Registered Office B- 4/58, Safdarjung Enclave 2nd Floor, New Delhi – 110 029 |
Contact Details | [email protected] |
9. Save the Children India
Save the Children is India’s leading independent child rights NGO in 16 states. Starting its journey on 27th December 2004 when it was registered as ‘Bal Raksha Bharat’ under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and the Foreign Contributions Regulations Act 2010 on 23rd April 2008, we have changed the lives of more than 12.4 million children till March 2022.
Name | Save the Children India |
Types of Registration | Nonprofit organization |
Founded | 2008 |
CEO | Deepak Kapoor (Chairperson), CEO |
Area of Work | They work in education, child protection, poverty, health and nutrition etc. |
Official Website | www.savethechildren.in |
Address | Save the Children, Bal Raksha Bharat National Support Office, 1st & 2nd Floor, Plot No. 91, Sector – 44 Gurgaon (Haryana) – 122003 |
Contact Details | [email protected] |
10. Oxfam India
Oxfam India ensures that Adivasis, Dalits, Muslims, and women and girls have safe-violence-free lives, freedom to speak their minds, equal opportunities to realize their rights, and a discrimination-free future. They research to find lasting solutions to end rising inequalities and exclude marginalized communities from getting decent jobs, free education and healthcare.
Name | Oxfam India |
Types of Registration | Non-Governmental Organization |
Founded | 1951 |
Founder | Nisha Agrawal |
Area of Work | To ensure that Adivasis, Dalits, Muslims, and women and girls have safe-violence-free lives with the freedom to speak their minds. |
Official Website | www.oxfamindia.org |
Address | 4th Floor, National Small Industries Corporation, Okhla Industrial Estate, New Delhi |
Contact Details | [email protected] |
How to Start an NGO?
Before starting an NGO, you should know the fundamental problems of people in the area you want to reduce. Knowing this, it becomes easier to formulate the purpose and mission of your NGO accordingly. After this, you must decide the NGO’s vision, mission and purpose.
People with problems must work accordingly because no one listens to many people’s concerns. Therefore, the purpose of any NGO should be to understand the people’s problems and start their NGO accordingly.
Steps to quickly start an NGO in India:
Here we provide information about Starting an NGO and follow these easy steps to start an NGO. Let’s see.

Required Document
Before beginning an NGO, you need some essential documents.
- Memorandum and Rules & Regulations in Duplicate duly signed by a Minimum of Three persons (Page on bottom).
- Ownership Proof of Registered Office. (Electricity Bill/Sale Deed/ GPA/Water Bill etc.)
- Proof of residential / office address of all members of society such as Voter ID / Telephone bill / Electricity bill / Passport / Driving license etc.
- NOC from the Owner of premises on Rs.10/- Stamp Paper.
- An affidavit from President on Rs.10/- Stamp Paper.
- All members of society should sign the list of Desirous people.
- Desirous persons or persons subscribing to the name of the Memorandum should not be (in any case) less than seven. If it is proposed to give All India character to the society, there must be eight persons from different states of the Indian Union to the Memorandum.
How to Register an NGO?
The NGO registration process takes place in three ways. Or we can also say that NGOs can be registered in any of the three Acts. Let us know what these three acts are.
- Trust Act
- Society Act
- Companies Act
Trust Act
There are Trust Acts in various states of India, but if a state does not have a Trust Act, then the 1882 Trust Act applies. It is necessary to have at least two trustees under this act. To register an NGO under the Trust Act, you need a document called a deed. To register an NGO under this Act, you must apply to the office of the Charity Commissioner or Registrar.
Society Act
NGOs are registered as societies, but NGOs can be registered as trustees in some states, such as the Societies Act in Maharashtra. Registration under the Act requires a Memorandum of Association and Rules & Regulations document; this document is essential. At least seven members are required to create this document.
Section 8 Company Act
Memorandums, articles of association, and regulation documents are required to register an NGO under the Companies Act. No stamp paper is necessary to make this document. At least three members must create this document. This act of the NGO is registered under the Companies Act.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What mean NGOs mean?
An NGO is an organisation in which the government has no role; It is a Non-governmental organisation. People who have good money or business help people through NGOs. NGOs are a subgroup of organisations established by citizens, including clubs and associations that provide services to their members and others—an organisation aimed at the welfare of society. NGOs do much social work, such as housing widowed women, teaching poor orphans, protecting women, etc.
Can a single person start an NGO?
Can a single person start an NGO? No, a single person cannot begin an NGO. At least two people are required for Section 8 company incorporation, and at least three are required for Trust and Society registration.
Can I know NGO work?
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a non-profit group that functions independently of any government. NGOs, sometimes called civil societies, are organized on community, national and international levels to serve a social or political goal such as humanitarian causes or the environment.
What is the advantage of NGOs?
The advantage of NGOs are:
> Improve Literacy level
> Improve standards of life
> Innovative approaches
> Better communication
Are NGOs private?
“NGO” has various interpretations; the term is generally accepted to include non-profit, private organizations outside government control. Some NGOs rely primarily on volunteers, while others support a paid staff.
I am too much glad that you are showing such things on internet. Thank you very much
Why Art of LIving Foundation’s name is not listed?
Thank for give us best information…..The We Foundation Association is an NGO in Kolkata, India. Our main aim is to help and support to underprivileged, poor and marginalised communities. Our works toward ensuring medical care, education, and development to the poor and needy people in West Bengal.
Hi, First, kudos to you for contributing to the society and uplifting people. I am serious about doing something to make an impact on the society and make some tangible / concrete contribution in people’s lives. I would greatly appreciate if you could volunteer sometime for a conversation on how to started this organisation, what propelled you in this direction, your journey so far. Thank you, Shaily
I want give my services as volunteer.
That’s a Great try in your near NGO.
Can I have your contact details please?
We have registered as a NGO to work in West Bengal for the needy people to ensure their health and hygiene,
We are in baby stage, please guide us,
You can contact us at [email protected]
Very Nice Information, Thanks for sharing with us. If anyone wants to NGO for Mentally Challenged Friends then you can free contact to Navkshitij. Navkshitij is a Home for Mentally Challenged Friends. The mission of Navkshitij is to create a home for mentally challenged friends, where their ageing parents can see them relocated, assured that their child will live a life which is happy, dignified, warm and full of excitement and joy
Is there any NGO available to take care of physically disabled people?
Nice to see this you are very helping those person… I wanna more knowledge about it…
I need some motive suggestion that can clear my concept.I,m little bit confused about it.because all the motives are same about education field.
Thank you so much for this much information and guidance. Highly recommended page for anyone who is willing to work in the form of NGO or anything like that.
I am much impressed to know all about information given by you on internet.sincre my birth wanted to do something for society but I was not able to understand that from where I should start to serve my duties or role for my society.
Now I understand that what I should do and from where I can start to help for needy people…
Hello,
Is there any NGO in India for old age people? Please cover the NGO’s for old age people
Hello,
I appreciate for providing such information here, Wockhardt Foundation is working immensely in the area of health, providing free primary health care service to the poor in 22 states and UT, its name should be there also.
Thanks so much for this information.
You should also include Parivaar Education Society, which currently reaches 25,000 kids in rural tribal MP, for education & malnutrition, and also bigger in impact/funds than some of the listed here.
Very useful information 🙏
Thank You,
Your word gives us motivation.
Kindly suggest me new NGO name which come in charitable trust, or foundation do have Good human team to serve society for poverty, education, Awareness,motivation are our objective
Prasanna Jyothi Home for Home less Girls A Seva activity of Prasanna trust founded by Poojya Swami Sukhabodhananda. Run ing since the last 33 years providing Free Food Clothing Shelter and Education to very poor girls and. Bringing them up to become worthy citizens and Self-reliant.
Very interesting and useful information ….
Thank You,
Your word gives us motivation.
Great writing! You have a flair for informational writing. Your content has impressed me beyond words. I have a lot of admiration for your writing. Thank you for all your valuable input on this topic.
Thank You,
Your word gives us motivation.
Very useful
I found it very interesting and informative in the context of inclusive development and corporate social responsibility CSR
Sanjay panda
Cuttack Odisha
Author of CSR in inda
Thank You,
Your word gives us motivation.
Hi
Can I join the NGO, Please provide the detail. I am in delhi based.
Thanks.
Yes, you can join an NGO. You have to visit the official website of the NGO for the same.
Please support me
There are few more in Mumbai, which I have personally come across during my career in the field of Social Work in Mumbai 1988-2009.
C. C. D. T., Apnalaya, Alert – India, Family Services Centre, Support
Thanks for the review.
Respected sir
I am social worker
My work village level
Child work I pray to you
Economic problem
Regards
Omkar thakur
Jharkhand
This is an eye opener for the Indian Government, who is limiting the NGO space in the society. Good to know about 10 top NGOs of our grate country. Thry are doing immence job in diffrent fields to reach the most needy. There are Maney more medium size and small NGOs working in India. There works are very respectable and meaningful, putting together working for and with millions of poor and the needy to reduce their suffering. I hope they too may be recognized one day.
Yes Sir,
Thanks for your valuable comment.
Keep visiting
🙂
Guna m.p me ngo ko Kam chaiy plees Kam dilay radhika ngo guna m.p
aapko ngo se contact krna hoga job ke liye.
VERY good
Thanks for the valuable comments.
What criteria were used to rank these NGOs?
this list is entirely based on our research on the nonprofit’s work, impact, donation, campaign etc
I want to connect with these organisations as a volunteer. I am a second year mbbs student.
You can apply as a volunteer for an NGO as per their requirement; you can visit their official website for more detail.
Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) is one of the best NGO started in the year 1984 working in Healthcare, Education, Socio Economic Empowerment Program, Training & Research sectors.
Thanks for the review.
Very useful information, Thanks for details given.I was much worried to start a NGO.Your information make it simple.
Thanks for your valuable Comment
Great writing! You have a flair for informational writing. Your content has impressed me beyond words. I have a lot of admiration for your writing. Thank you for all your valuable input on this topic.
Thanks for the valuable comment
How does one can join any NGO?
Could you please elaborate on your question?
Very useful information, Thanks for details given. I was much worried to start a NGO. Your information make it simple.
i very much delight to getting this information entitled to ngo which is very enthuse anyone
from SADBHAVNA FOUNDATION
You can share your NGO success stories in our portal by completing the application form. Here is the link to the application form: https://ngofeed.com/shareyourstories/
I want to say something that another NGO with which I joined in the last 3,4 years “Satya Shakti Foundation” is doing a remarkable job in this field. Can you please add it to your list?
Hello,
You should fill out the registration form (https://ngofeed.com/contact/) for listing in our portal. You can also share your NGO success stories in our portal by filling out the application form. Here is the link to the application form: https://ngofeed.com/shareyourstories/
My name is Sebastian Dsouza. Studied BA from Mumbai University. Presently staying in Pimpri – Pune. I want to join NGO working in education and social work. Can you please guide.
Yes, it’s great that you want to join NGOs for social work, and you can contact the NGO where you want.
Hi, First, kudos to you for contributing to society and uplifting people. I am into skill training and development for women providing them with jobs any CSR and NGOs can contact me for the growth of NGOs.
You can contact the respective NGO where you are looking for a job.
Amazing, lots of blessings to all involved, May no one suffer pain and hardships.
Thanks for your valuable comment
Aahwahan Foundation- is an NGO that is involved in promoting the welfare of the economically backward sections of the society by generating employment across various sectors. It was founded in 2009 by a team of like-minded individuals with a commitment to eradicate poverty. Our constant efforts have touched the lives of people. We believe in community development. Urbanization has had an impact on the traditional economic systems in the country and has shifted the socioeconomic preferences. The socioeconomic growth and well being of people are so interconnected, that it is not feasible to ignore any one of them. Hence, we have teamed with a wide cross section of people to bring about a transformation in the rural environment.
It’s really appreciated that you continue working for our society. We are NGOFeed, give you the opportunity to share your success story in our portal. Here is the application form for the NGOFeed success story: https://ngofeed.com/shareyourstories/