In this post, I will cover some of the most exciting side hustle ideas for students in India, many of which are gaining popularity in 2023.
Side hustles, or side gigs, have become very popular in India. I covered some of the most popular side hustles for Indians (organized by passion/interest) in one of my earlier posts – please read it here:
In this post, I would like to cover some exciting side hustle ideas for college students. Some of these may be offbeat ideas and may not appeal to everyone.
So here goes:
Table of Contents
Culture walk organizer
Culture walks have become very popular in India. Most cities now have culture walks organized by local organizations to take visitors through some of a place’s unique historical or cultural aspects.
Organizing culture walks is an excellent side hustle for your weekends if you are interested in culture and history and have a knack for storytelling. It is a perfect way to meet up with interesting people as well.
If you know a foreign language, that will be a bonus: you could introduce the nuances of your city to foreign tourists.
Look at examples of walking tours here: http://kochicitytour.in/, https://www.indiaheritagewalks.org/city/pune
Engage with NGOs to create impact stories
If you are good with writing and video editing, this is a great side hustle that can give you fulfilment and money. NGOs always look for part-time writers and video editors who can work with them on impact stories. Try knocking on a few NGO doors in your city to find your first opportunity and then take it from there.
Set up Airbnb experiences
People are looking for unique experiences and travel options. Airbnb is a goldmine of varied offerings that various enterprising people have put up. Check it out here: https://www.airbnb.co.in/s/experiences/online
Setting up an Airbnb experience is a great way to earn extra income and meet people. If you have an ancestral home in the middle of a farm in your village, set up a room with a caretaker and rent it out on Airbnb.
It would be refreshing for a city-dweller to spend a couple of days in a village, trying their hand at farming or milking a cow. Maybe add a cooking class or a walk to the nearby toddy shop. Make them experience local culture.
Tarot Card reading
Tarot card reading involves using tarot cards to access insight into the past, present or future. Learning Tarot reading could be a fun side gig, and you could offer your services through freelance portals or start with your friend’s circle.
Check out Tarot reading on Fiverr here.
Reiki healing
Reiki healing is a form of complementary therapy relating to energy healing and uses energy fields around the body to promote relaxation.
Reiki can be quickly learned and practised as self-care by anyone interested. One of my close relatives learned Reiki healing, and she is now earning a handsome monthly income by helping her friends and acquaintances.
To learn Reiki healing, check out Fiverr here.
Side hustle ideas for students in India – Performer
Standup comedy, Music – This is an age-old side hustle that is still popular. In big cities like Bangalore, you will be able to find cafes or hotels where you can do live performances and earn some decent money.
If you are good, they will invite you back and refer you to other places.
Birthday organizer
Parents spend a lot of money on their children’s birthdays to make the occasion different and unique for the child. If you are a person who loves making people happy and has the skills to organize a fun day or evening, this could be an excellent option for you.
Once again, start with your close ones and then expand to other groups. You could create a Facebook or Instagram page for your services and post pictures of events you hold.
Cloud kitchen
If you enjoy cooking and can organize a kitchen, setting up a cloud kitchen to sell through Zomato and Swiggy could be a great option. You can look to make it big in this field through great food and even better service. You will need to research to identify the gap you will be filling, whether you have all the skills to set up and scale your kitchen and some initial investment.
Side hustle ideas for students in India – Photography
If you can take great photos of people and events, this is a field you could try out. The significant investment you would need is a decent camera. Start by covering events and functions in the family. Then offer your services to your friends and promote your services through Instagram. Photography is one of the best side hustle ideas for students in India.
Fitness Trainer
Online fitness training grew leaps and bounds during the Covid-induced lockdown period, and people have gotten used to this medium now. If you are into fitness, you could help others get into shape.
Language tutor
If you know a language you could teach others, this is a great option to earn extra money. More and more people are looking to learn a new language. You can sell your services through Fiverr or your social media handles.
Delivery person
Delivery sites like Dunzo, Blinkit and others have opened up options for people with a two-wheeler to earn money.
Tattoo artist
This is an excellent option for people who love art and can focus for an extended period. Tattoos have become popular in India. A tattoo is a form of expression that signifies something significant for the bearer. You can learn the art from various schools offering Tattooing courses (google for them).
Bartending
Well, this one is only for people above the legally allowed age limit, of course. A bartender is someone who mixes and serves beverages to paying customers. It is a profession that combines art with expertise (and, of course, alcohol).
You may have seen bartenders with their fancy moves in some Hollywood movies – bartenders, like DJs, have attained superstar status in India’s social circles.
You will surely meet many interesting people, most of whom will also want to be your ‘friend’. Bartending is a side hustle that will surely be a conversation starter among your friend’s circle.
Where to learn bartending? You could apprentice with some experienced bartenders or google for bartending courses, and you will find a few.
Dog Walking (‘Pet Sitting’)
In and around my neighbourhood, I have started seeing many ‘dog walkers’ – people who take pet dogs out on their regular walks in the mornings and evenings. If you are a dog person, this could be an excellent side gig that can give you happiness and money. This side hustle is ideal for youngsters who love dogs. You can check openings on the Urban app or list your services on your social media handles.
Check out this article discussing how ‘pet sitting’ is becoming popular: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spotlight/is-pet-sitting-now-a-lucrative-side-hustle/articleshow/94997091.cms
Side hustle ideas for students in India – Goodfellows
If you haven’t heard of Goodfellows, read this article first: https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/goodfellows-supported-by-ratan-tata-connects-senior-citizens-with-graduates-who-do-everything-a-grandkid-would/article65796381.ece.
What a great concept – something that our society needs so much. When the kids and grandkids work hard to strengthen their careers, often in strange lands, their parents/grandparents lead a lonely life.
Goodfellows come in there. You could join the team to bring cheer to old souls. Check their openings here – students could participate as interns: https://www.thegoodfellows.in/careers
Makeup artist
If you love making people look good, this could be for you. And if you are good at it, you will surely get a ton of word-of-mouth publicity. Along with makeup, you could also be a consultant to curate appropriate dresses for a person.
Managing apartments
Many people in India have bought apartments as an ‘investment’ while they live in other parts of a city, in a different town, or in some foreign land.
If you like interacting with people, a good side hustle for you would be to help manage apartments for people. This side hustle involves ensuring the apartment is maintained well, paying all dues, and finding good tenants. You could do this for a monthly fee.
Since this relies heavily on trust, ensure you handle the job responsibly.
Side hustle ideas for students in India – End note
I hope you enjoyed going through this list of exciting side hustle ideas for students in India. I will keep adding to this list, but I hope this list will give you some starting points to get engaged with some side hustles aligned with your passion.
I have written about how to become a voice-over artist in India – please check it out here:
Please also check out my post about some of the most profitable skills to learn in2023 here: https://sampathmk.com/best-courses-for-earning-money-online
If you have done any of these, I would love to know your experience. Please drop your comments below.