What are the most viable low-investment business opportunities in India?

Look, if you’re wanting to have a go at running your own show in India without blowing a massive hole in your pocket, you’ve actually got plenty of decent options. You don't need a huge pile of cash to get moving—just a bit of graft and a solid skill.

Here’s the lowdown on the best low-cost ways to get started:

1. Using Your Brain (Service-Based)

Freelancing: If you’re handy with words, good at design, or know your way around a bit of code, just get yourself on sites like Upwork or Fiverr. You’re basically selling your time and talent, so the overheads are practically zero.

Consulting: If you’ve spent years becoming an expert in something—be it HR, finance, or marketing—people will pay for your advice. You can start this from your kitchen table with nothing more than a laptop and a phone.

Tutoring: If you were always the smart one in class, or you're a bit of a pro at a specific hobby, start teaching. Whether it’s over Zoom or face-to-face, it’s a brilliant way to earn without needing a shopfront.

2. Making and Baking (Creative Bits)

Handmade Jewellery: If you’ve got a creative streak, making bits and bobs like earrings or necklaces is surprisingly cheap to start. You can hawk your wares on Instagram or Etsy and see how it goes.

Home Baking: Everyone loves a good cake. If you’re a wizard with an oven, you can start small by doing birthday cakes or treats for local events. It’s all about word of mouth (and the smell of fresh cookies).

Arts & Crafts: From pottery to paintings, if you can make it, you can sell it. Local markets and craft fairs are your best friends here.

3. The Digital Route

Blogging: It takes a while to see the money, but if you can write stuff people actually want to read, you can eventually make a killing through ads and sponsors. It costs next to nothing to set up a site.

Dropshipping: This is the "lazy" way to do retail. You sell stuff online, but you never actually touch the stock. When someone buys from you, the supplier sends it straight to them. No warehouse, no massive upfront bill for inventory.

Social Media Management: Loads of small businesses haven't a clue what to do with TikTok or Instagram. If you’re a natural at it, you can charge them to run their accounts for them.

Would you like me to help you draft a simple business plan for one of these ideas, or perhaps help you figure out which one fits your skills best?