15 Part Time Business Ideas in India

Last Updated on November 24, 2025 by Muskan Sinha

Do you have the zeal to do something more than just an ordinary desk job? If yes, then exploring some of the best part time business ideas can help you get a break from your mundane routine. Let’s be honest, it is a known fact that relying just on your monthly salary is not enough to cover your expenses. In this economy, you need to find some great opportunities that help you get your dream life. What if we told you that to achieve all of that you don’t need to invest a lot of money? 

Yes, since we live in a digital world where earning possibilities are overflowing, you can earn in lakhs without even leaving the comfort of your home. Wondering how? Well, in this article we cover 15 best part time business ideas that you can start in your free time. If you are a student, a fresher or a stay at home parent, then don’t let the potential in you go to waste. Use your wings to fly high and let the entrepreneur in you take the lead. 

List of Best Part Time Business Ideas

1. Affiliate Marketing 

What better way to earn additional income than by promoting products and services of reputable brands to earn commission? Affiliate marketing is one of the best ways through which you can achieve success in a short period of time. If you have a strong social media presence and a loyal audience base, then you can promote products from Amazon, Flipkart, Nykaa and other e-commerce sites to your audience through an affiliate link. 

When someone purchases a product through your affiliate link, you earn commission for every sale. For this, all you are required to do is find an affiliate program online based on your niche and start promoting products. You can create an engaging video to attract audiences regarding your product like tutorials, fashion hauls, comparison videos, food mokobang challenges etc. With consistency and patience, you can unlock the door to success with affiliate marketing and easily earn in lakhs per month. 

2. Freelancing 

Freelancing is another great way to add extra income to your pockets while doing your regular job. If you don’t have enough time to follow your passion but don’t want to lose your spark, then freelancing can truly help you. Whether you want to become a writer, graphic designer, musician, animator, voice over artist, photographer, or just someone who is looking for small tasks to perform for a side income, you can become a freelancer. 

Young professionals who want to make use of their creativity, skills and gain exposure can work with clients all over the world on many prominent freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr. You will be paid for the service you provide and have the complete authority to decide your working hours. So while working anytime and from anywhere, you can greatly benefit from freelance work. 

3. Content Creation 

In the era of social media, getting famous from one viral video and getting the limelight of brands for collaborations is not far from reach. If you have any hidden talent that you couldn’t fully explore, be it singing, dancing, comedy, cooking, crafting, designing etc, then just record yourself doing what you love and post it on social media. Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity, just start now before it gets too late. 

With every video and view, you can earn thousands to lakhs easily and if luck favours you, then with brand collaborations, you will be extremely successful. These days building your community on social media is quite easy, just be yourself, use trending audio and find your people. 

4. Stock Photography 

Are you a photographer struggling to earn money for your work of art? Then don’t worry, with stock photography, you will get the appreciation and commission that you deserve. As an artist, you can upload your photos on platforms like Shutterstock and Dreamstime, and earn royalties every time someone downloads your photos or videos. 

You don’t have to be an expert for this, if you have a decent camera and breathtaking photography skills, then you are good to go. Stock photography not only enables you to display your art to your audience, but at the same time be able to monetize it. So if you don’t have enough time or resources to follow your passion for photography, you can still use it to earn a side income. 

5. Tiffin Services 

In urban areas where people live in the hustle and bustle, many don’t have time to cook for themselves. Whether they are college students or office employees living away from their families, the need for freshly prepared food is a must. In such cases, tiffin services are their rescue, making it a successful part time business idea. 

If you have basic cooking skills and can make food for a bunch of people, then opening a tiffin service can be a great side hustle for you. The best part is that tiffin services are high in demand, require low investments and can eventually expand over time. This way you can use your cooking skills or love for cooking food to earn money while helping young professionals relish mouth watering food. 

6. Sell Handmade Craft 

Do you excel in making handmade things? Then, wouldn’t it be amazing to sell your stuff online and turn your creativity into an income source? Whatever stuff that you make, from candles, sweaters, crochet bouquets, stuffed animals, jewellery, clothes, etc, you can easily list them on online marketplaces like Amazon, Meesho, Etsy, etc and earn commission for it. 

If you want, then you can actually operate your small business through your social media and take orders directly from there. Just start posting your craft online and let people slide into your DMs or comment section to place an order. You will see that within a short period of time, your business will expand gradually. This is one of the best part time small business ideas where your creativity gets the recognition it deserves.

7. Social Media Management 

What are brands or small businesses without a strong online presence in today’s time? Can’t even think of functioning like that, right? Every business, small or big, celebrities, influencers etc, all rely on social media management to stay in the game. In such scenarios, this becomes a top business idea for individuals who have an understanding of content creation. 

You can help manage social media posts, blogs, accounts or run campaigns in your spare time. This business idea also does not require any major investments, only your strong analytical skills to understand market trends and algorithms. You work in flexible hours, build content strategies, maintain brand consistency and manage their interaction with customers in return for competitive earnings. 

8. Customized Gifting Business 

Gifting your loved ones is always a special and personal moment that can be cherished with a personal touch. People look forward to gifts that remind them of their special moments rather than material things. In today’s world, setting up a customized gifting business can bring you a lot of success, since people are ditching the same old boring gifts.

You can follow up with the trends on social media to get ideas on what gifts you can offer. These days digital photo frames, handmade cards, handwritten notes, crochet bouquets, personalized blankets or cushions, etc are quite popular. You can initially source materials from local markets and create a set of different items to add emotional value to the gifts.  

9. Online Classes and Workshops 

In the constant chaos of daily lives, people turn to their favourite hobbies to take a break. So if you have any secret talent that you never fully explored but had full potential, then you can offer online classes and workshops to people. You can take classes based on your own schedule and have complete authority over every decision.

Whether it is dance classes, singing lessons, painting workshops, fitness classes or even educational workshops, then setting up your own online classes or workshops can be the best business idea with no investment involved for you. 

10. Print On Demand 

Print on demand is one of the most popular and successful part time business ideas. In this, you don’t have the headache of maintaining an inventory as that is handled by a third party. Your only focus remains on finalizing designs for T-shirts, mugs, blankets, wall art, bags, etc. 

Finalising the design part should not be that big of a deal when you can surf through Pinterest and Instagram to get an idea of what Gen Z looks forward to. Your designs can include an anime character, brainrot meme references or anything that is currently trending and you are good to go. The print on demand company gets everything done for you, including the delivery and you enjoy the commission for it. 

11. Homemade Beauty Products 

Do you have a secret beauty hack taught by your grandmother? If yes, then spill the tea with individuals looking for the best homemade products. You can sell organic soaps, lotions, scrubs, herbal oils, etc to people via your social media channels. Create small samples first and promote them on Instagram or YouTube. 

Most people want products that are free from chemicals, budget friendly and effective. There is a greater chance that people will be attracted to personalised products more than mass produced cosmetics. 

12. Virtual Assistance 

If you can spend some hours of your day performing administrative tasks for small businesses, then you should try virtual assistance services. This involves doing minimal tasks such as email management, customer service, data entry and research, etc. You can work remotely with only your laptop and internet connection and earn for the services you provide. This is one of the most flexible and convenient business ideas to make money online. 

13. Event Planning 

Do you love planning for special events like birthdays, anniversaries or bachelor parties? Then you can help others as well to capture and celebrate their best moments with loved ones. As an event planner, you can work on clients’ ideas and bring them to life with your decorations and setup. In today’s time where celebrations are far from ordinary and full of laughter, glitter and sparkle, your coordination and touch up can bring life to the party. 

14. Reselling Products 

Reselling remains the most popular and profitable part time business idea. Under this, you can purchase products at wholesale cost and then sell them at a profit on popular online marketplaces like Amazon, Flipkart, Meesho, Etsy, Facebook, etc. There are many products that you can choose to resell like fashion apparel and essentials, jewellery, mobile covers, skincare and makeup products, etc. Once you get your products, simply upload photos on these marketplaces and make a profit when someone purchases them on your store. 

15. Become a Translator

Do you have a strong hold on any language? If yes, then you should know that you can earn in lakhs for translating books, legal documents, company documents, marketing content, scripts, subtitles, etc. Many companies including the media houses, entertainment industries and big firms pay individuals for accurately translating materials without missing the message. 

If you want, you can also work as a freelancer and work according to your timetable. The earning potential in translation services is huge, making it a top part time business idea without investment. 

Conclusion 

These are some of the best part time business ideas which you can try to start and unlock the doorway to financial freedom. There is no need for big investments or a special set of skills to become an entrepreneur. If you are passionate about using your talent and potential in the right direction with your spare time, you can choose any of the ideas we have listed and make substantial profits. However, managing a part time business along with a full time job can be a little hectic, so plan accordingly so that you can relax yet be productive. 

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