Frequently Asked Questions

AnnaJyoti is a technology platform that connects food and item donors with verified NGOs across India. Our mission is to eliminate hunger and reduce waste by making donations fast, easy, and transparent. The name combines "Anna" (food) and "Jyoti" (light), symbolizing our commitment to spreading light through the service of feeding people.

Yes! AnnaJyoti is completely free for donors, NGOs, and volunteers. We do not charge any fees for donations or pickups. Our platform is supported through voluntary contributions and grants. There is never any cost to donate or receive donations.

We currently operate in 48+ cities across India, with strong presence in Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow, Varanasi, Kanpur, Agra, Prayagraj, Noida) and expanding to Delhi, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and beyond. Check our NGO directory to see if we're active in your city.

You can donate: Home-cooked food, restaurant surplus, event/party leftovers, and wedding catering excess. Food must be fresh, hygienically prepared, and safe for consumption. Please avoid donating food that has been sitting out for more than 2 hours without proper storage.

Most food donations are claimed within 15-30 minutes by nearby verified NGOs. Item donations (clothes, books, etc.) are typically claimed within 1-2 hours. Urgent donations marked for immediate pickup are prioritized.

Absolutely! We accept clothes, books, furniture, electronics, hostel items (from graduating students), and other useful items. All items should be in usable condition. We do not accept broken, soiled, or hazardous items.

It's recommended but not always required. You can leave the donation with a security guard or at a designated pickup point if you've coordinated with the volunteer. However, being present ensures smooth handover and confirmation.

NGOs submit registration documents (registration certificate, PAN card, 80G certificate) during registration. Our team verifies these documents within 2-3 business days. Once verified, your NGO appears in our directory and can claim donations immediately.

NGOs must be legally registered entities in India (Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company). We verify all registrations to ensure only genuine organizations receive donations, maintaining trust in our platform.

No hard limit, but we encourage NGOs to claim only what they can genuinely distribute. Our system tracks claims and deliveries to ensure fair distribution among all NGOs in a city.

Simply fill out the volunteer registration form on our website. We'll verify your details and activate your account. Once verified, you'll start receiving pickup requests near your location.

Volunteering on AnnaJyoti is unpaid service to the community. However, volunteers earn points for every delivery, receive certificates of appreciation, and get recognized on our leaderboard. Top volunteers may receive special rewards and features.

We have three levels: 🌱 Sapling (0-50 points), 🌿 Sprout (51-200 points), and 🌳 Tree (200+ points). Each level unlocks new badges and recognition. You earn 10 points per delivery completed.

Yes, you can make monetary donations to verified NGOs through our platform using Razorpay or Cashfree. 100% of your donation goes to the NGO (we do not deduct any platform fees).

If the NGO has 80G certification, your donation may be eligible for tax deduction under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act. You'll receive a donation receipt from the NGO.

Click on "Forgot Password" on the login page. Enter your registered email address, and we'll send you a reset link. Follow the link to set a new password.

Log in to your dashboard and navigate to Settings. You can update your name, phone number, city, and profile picture from there.