In your Ears
By Shradha Aswani
The world has a habit of going around in circles. We go back to the same fashion every few decades, reinvent traditional taste to suit contemporary palettes, and have the same emotional crux line in fairytales, since time immemorial.
The return to audio, then, should be no surprise. While music lovers might disagree, the truth is that audio has been on the back burner ever since its attention-seeking content counterpart gained popularity. The fact that people choose to listen, even when they have the option to arguably engage themselves more deeply through videos, must mean that podcasts for Indians have something interesting to offer.
With this in mind, I compiled this list and discovered intellectual, thought-provoking, soul-stirring conversations that have now become a part of my daily routine. If you're looking for the best podcasts in India that go beyond entertainment, this curated mix will give you plenty to reflect on. Take a look at these Indian podcast gems that'll allow you to put your Airpods to better use!
MISFIT HUMANS (By Dhruv Athi)
(YOUTUBE PODCASTS)
Misfit Humans by Dhruv Athi is the kind of podcast that stays with you. It gently pulls you into the lives of people who exist just outside the mainstream—ex-commandos, spiritual guides, quiet rebels who’ve chosen to live on their own terms. These aren’t loud or dramatic stories, but ones filled with depth, honesty, and the kind of quiet courage that often goes unnoticed.
There’s something grounding about hearing how others have navigated life differently. Misfit Humans doesn’t try to convince you of anything—it simply opens up perspectives. And in doing so, it invites you to reflect on your own path, your own choices, and what it really means to live with purpose in a world that often rewards conformity.
RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE
(SPOTIFY AND APPLE PODCASTS)
In an age where coming to a consensus is nearly impossible, learning how not to agree is a skill the world could use. An interesting take on all things popular, this podcast series by The Swaddle, a Mumbai-based media company, gets three to four team members with varying opinions to respectfully talk about the different perspectives they hold. This show is a great example of how Indian podcasters are creating nuanced spaces for debate and discussion.
The questions in discussion range from cultural aspects of wokeness, body positivity, and PDA, to personal facets of emotional cheating vs physical cheating, unconditional kindness, and being friends with political differences.
INDIA WITH JESSICA
(ALL LEADING PODCAST PLATFORMS)
The podcast explores little-known aspects of Indian culture from the viewpoints of an American expat, Jessica Kumar and her husband, Abhishek, a former NRI. While the podcast is in English, its fondness for Hindi and other South-Asian languages is visible in many of its episodes.
The series covers interview-style conversations with various guests that share an outside-in view of the country and the couple's experience of being in a cross-cultural marriage. It's one of the top podcasts in India that blends cultural storytelling with real-life experience.
THE SEEN AND THE UNSEEN
(ALL LEADING PODCAST PLATFORMS)
Host Amit Varma, a celebrated journalist, writing coach, and authority on all things communication, describes this podcast as a deep dive into the visible and latent pieces of life as we experience it, and the many political, intellectual, spiritual and emotional parts that form the whole. One of the best interview-style podcasts to come out of India, it touches upon an array of topics relevant to the Indian diaspora worldwide.
Currently standing on a track record of 225,000 downloads a month, the most beautiful thing about the show is that it zooms into the micro details of everything it covers, while remaining universally relatable.
ADVERTISING IS DEAD
(ALL LEADING PODCAST PLATFORMS)
With disruption being the most significant reality in today's business ecosystem, it is hard to keep up with the trends as a professional, even with social media storming your phones every day. Advertising is Dead approaches existential business questions one at a time.
Host Varun Duggirala explores ideas of growth, branding, and community while talking to business leaders and change makers. It's hosted by one of the most influential Indian podcasters, making it a must-listen for professionals and creatives alike. In his own words, his content revolves around "work, life and everything in between."
THE RANVEER SHOW
(SPOTIFY EXCLUSIVE)
Any Indian podcast listicle is incomplete without the mention of Beer Biceps, the famed virtual name that Ranveer Allahbadia is now known as. A milestone for all interview-style podcasts in India, the show has hosted celebrities from all walks of life, including entrepreneurs, sports personalities, actors, musicians, motivational speakers, and more.
Ranked among the top podcasts in India, it’s especially popular with young professionals seeking inspiration. The show's primary focus is to leave the listener inspired, and Ranveer's engagement with the guests help you derive both value and pleasure out of the conversation.
WTF IS WITH NIKHIL KAMATH
(ALL LEADING PODCAST PLATFORMS)
There’s something refreshing about WTF is, hosted by entrepreneur and investor Nikhil Kamath. At first glance, it feels casual—just friends and experts talking. But stay a little longer, and the conversations begin to reveal layers: technology, psychology, philosophy, energy, longevity, and everything in between. It’s smart without being showy, reflective without losing its edge.
What makes it stand out is the range. One episode might explore biohacking and healthspan; another dives into the future of electric vehicles or the human side of entrepreneurship. Roundtable chats and thought experiments keep it dynamic, with an open-ended curiosity that pulls you in.
WTF is isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking better questions—about the world, the future, and how we live. If you enjoy wide-ranging, idea-driven conversations that make you think (and sometimes rethink), this one’s worth your time.
THE DESI CRIME PODCAST
(ALL LEADING PODCAST PLATFORMS)
A gripping true crime podcast and one of the most authentic in South Asia, the Desi Crime Podcast sheds light on brown crime stories that give your insides quite a jolt. Well-researched and articulate, each of the
show's episodes explores a true crime from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, or Nepal.
If you're diving into Indian podcasts with a love for thrillers and real-life drama, this one's for you. Brought to you by Aryaan Misra and Aishwarya Singh, the show is a great audio in-road if you want to feed your intrigue about the crazy crime that lines the sub-continent.
THE INTERNET SAID SO
(ALL LEADING PODCAST PLATFORMS)
If comedy is your genre, you won't regret the time you spend listening to this. Comedians Aadar Malik, Neville Shah, Varun Thakur, and Kautuk Srivastav come together to put out one episode per week and give you fodder to think, wonder, and laugh endlessly. As one of the most entertaining Indian podcasts, it’s a reminder that laughter and trivia can be equally thought-provoking. The raw material, as the name suggests, are random, weird and shocking facts they find online.
THE PRAKHAR GUPTA XPERIENCE
(YOUTUBE AND OTHER MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS)
The Prakhar Gupta Xperience podcast brings raw and real energy, whether he's unpacking groupthink, questioning social expectations, or reflecting on confidence and hardship.
This podcast doesn’t just speak to your mind, it nudges something deeper. Everything from society, politics, and neuroscience to relationships, personal growth, and modern-day culture is explored here. It's in both languages, Hindi and English. With a mix of insight, realness, and humour, Prakhar gets into topics that push boundaries and make people reflect.
What are the best Indian podcasts in 2025?
Some of the best Indian podcasts in 2025 include The Ranveer Show, WTF is with Nikhil Kamath, The Seen and The Unseen, Desi Crime Podcast, and Misfit Humans. These shows cover everything from business and mindset to crime, culture, and comedy.
Where can I listen to Indian podcasts for free?
You can listen to Indian podcasts for free on platforms like Spotify, Apple Podcasts, JioSaavn, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, and YouTube. Most shows are available across multiple platforms with no subscription needed.
What genres are most popular in Indian podcasting?
Indian listeners enjoy a wide range of genres including business and finance, true crime, comedy, self-improvement, and culture. Podcasts like The Desi Crime Podcast, The Internet Said So, and Advertising is Dead are great examples of how diverse the Indian podcasting space has become.
For a deeper dive into India's stories, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on the most impactful Indian documentaries.