Indian Social Activists, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Kiran Bedi, Maneka Gandhii Arvind Kejriwal and Anna Hazare, Kulandei Francis, have strived throughout the years for the betterment and development of the Indian society. It is their unending zeal and the spirit to earn rights for fellow Indians that have aided natives for their unfathomable progress. The most prominent Indian Social Activist amongst the countrymen was undoubtedly Mahatma Gandhi, a great spiritual and political leader. There have been activists like the pious Vinoba Bhave, who successfully brought about radical changes in society through socialist movements like Sarvodaya and the Bhoodan Movement. Indian Social Activists have had attempted to eliminate social evils like caste distinctions and promote equality among all. In the post-independent era, Indian traditional ideas about social change and political protest went through a revolution. The Gandhian form of Satyagraha or non-violent protest through parades and marches, meetings and other passive forms of protest is still admired.

Social Activist in Modern India
Indian social activists like Medha Patkar, Arundhati Roy, Baba Amte, Aruna Roy, Arvind Kejriwal, Nafisa Ali, Kiran Bedi, Maneka Gandhi, Sunderlal Bahuguna and Anna Hazare bestowed unlimited thoughts and implementation for different aspects of the Indian society. The Indian social activists are legendary in their respective fields. Anna Hazare in the recent times has attracted the headlines for his protest against the corruption. His demand for the formulation of a separate Lokpal to take care of corruption issues has been successful in striking a chord among the people of the country.

Social activists in India have worked intensely towards uplifting the standards of living of not only men and women, but also the animals and heritage buildings of the nation. They worked together to combat communalism, female foeticide and for women`s empowerment. Some Indian social activists are working to combat drugs or alcohol abuse, AIDS and to promote education for the masses and ecological conservation. Some of the more social movements include the Narmada Bachao Andolon, the Chipko Movement and the Right to Information Movement, which promotes lucidity in the workings of the State. Medha Patkar is a known face in social activism and has been involved with several NGOs and other social work related organisation.

Several NGOs and volunteer organisations also work under the guidance of Indian social activists and they concentrate in specific areas of urban and rural India. The Indian social activists have geared up to promote the small-scale industries, handicraft and handloom houses of rural India, thus increasing the rate of income for village men and women. While there are a plethora of celebrity-espoused designer causes, the genuine Indian social activists work non-profitably for the homeland and its people. The worthy organisations are truly committed to the cause of making India a better place to live.

Some of the other most notable Indian Social Activists include, Pratibha Naitthani, Karem Shivaji, Abid Surti, Prakash Pohare, Mirai Chatterjee, Kudmul Ranga Rao, Arige Ramaswamy, Pundit Hulasa Ram Dutta, Basava, Satish Shetty, Vidyaben Shah, Reetika Khera, Mosa Walsalam Sastriyar, Giridharilal Kedia, Mundlapati Ramanadha Rao, Azhagar Ramanujam, Ayaz Mughal, Vithal Krishnaji Khedkar and C.R. Neelakandan amongst others. Indian social activist Kulandei Francis was felicitated with the Magsaysay Award in 2012 at the age of 66.