If you search for the most popular podcasts on Spotify India, you will find three different kinds of lists mixed together: a daily chart, a yearly Wrapped list and old “best of” roundups. They are not the same thing. We at Oskillo Studio in Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur, think it helps to separate them before you choose a niche, so here is how.
Short version: interview shows still lead the spotify top podcasts india chart, but horror, true crime, mythology and regional storytelling sit right beside them. That tells you something useful about formats, and we will get to it.
Key takeaways
- In the 3 October 2026 snapshot, Figuring Out with Raj Shamani is #1 on the Spotify India top podcasts chart.
- Three of the top eight are horror or crime shows, two are spiritual or Gita-based, and one is a youth or self-development show (our own count from the listing).
- The 2025 Wrapped list is a yearly result. Do not treat it as the 2026 chart.
- Horror and true crime do not “beat” interview shows. They share the chart with them.
- One platform chart does not measure your total audience. YouTube, Apple and others count too.
What are the most popular podcasts on Spotify India right now?
Per the Podstatus Spotify India chart, last checked on 3 October 2026, Figuring Out with Raj Shamani is #1, followed by a Sanatan-themed show by Himanshu Gupta and Akshay Horror Podcast. The page says the chart is refreshed daily, so positions will have moved by the time you read this.
Here is that snapshot, top eight, as listed on Podstatus:
| Rank | Show | Type (our reading of the title) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Figuring Out with Raj Shamani | Interview |
| 2 | सनातन – Eternal Way of Life (Himanshu Gupta) | Spiritual |
| 3 | Akshay Horror Podcast | Horror |
| 4 | The Youth Mind (AVI’) | Youth / self-development |
| 5 | Prasad’s Gita Zone | Spiritual |
| 6 | The Desi Crime Podcast | True crime |
| 7 | Pretkotha (Bengali Horror Podcast) | Horror, regional language |
| 8 | Stories by Amaan Parkar | Storytelling |
Look at #7. A Bengali-language horror show is on a national chart. Regional-language storytelling is clearly not stuck in its own corner.
Is the 2025 Wrapped list the same as the current chart?
No. Spotify Wrapped is a yearly result of what Indians streamed in 2025. The daily chart is a live ranking. Both put Raj Shamani at #1, but the rest of the order differs, so mixing them gives you wrong conclusions.
As reported by The Bridge Chronicle (repeating Mint’s report), the Spotify India 2025 Wrapped top 10 was:
- Figuring Out with Raj Shamani
- The Horror Show by Khooni Monday
- The Desi Crime Podcast
- The Ranveer Show हिंदी
- The Stories of Mahabharata
- The Ranveer Show
- Horror Time – Scary Stories in Hindi
- SR PAY (True Crime Documentaries)
- Pretkotha
- Moment of Silence
By title, five of these ten are horror or true crime (our count), one is mythology, and interview shows keep the top spot and two more places. T2 Online’s report on Spotify Wrapped India says horror, true crime and self-help podcasts continued to dominate. One editorial roundup, Parikshit Khanna’s top 20 (updated 7 October 2026), also warns that a 2025 Wrapped result does not become a 2026 national ranking just because an article is refreshed. We agree.
How to read any podcast chart in three steps
- Check the date. A daily chart changes every day; a Wrapped list is for one year.
- Check the platform. A Spotify chart says nothing about YouTube or Apple.
- Check the format. Ask whether the show is a guest interview, a solo narrator or a serial story. That decides your cost and workload more than the topic does.
Which podcast genres in India show up on the Spotify chart?
Across the 2026 snapshot and the 2025 list, the genres that appear again and again are long-form interviews, horror, true crime, mythology and spiritual content, and regional-language storytelling. Sources agree these rank well; they do not prove why, so treat any reason as opinion.
Here is how people usually search for each, and what we see on the lists:
- Interview and self-development: the raj shamani podcast is #1 in both lists. The Ranveer Show (हिंदी and English) and The Youth Mind also appear.
- Hindi horror podcast: The Horror Show by Khooni Monday (led by Divay Agarwal, serialised horror), Horror Time – Scary Stories in Hindi, and Akshay Horror Podcast. An undated Rephonic listing also shows Prince Singh – The Horror Podcast at #14. Treat that as a snapshot only.
- True crime podcast Hindi searches: The Desi Crime Podcast and SR PAY (True Crime Documentaries) are the names on the lists.
- Mythology and spiritual: The Stories of Mahabharata, Prasad’s Gita Zone and the Sanatan show. The Rephonic trending chart adds Ekantik Vartalap (Bhajan Marg).
Why do horror and true crime travel so well on Spotify?
The sources show that horror and true crime rank well on Spotify India. They do not say why. What follows is our own view: these shows suit audio, they work as a series, and a listener can start at episode one without knowing the host.
Here is our reasoning, labelled as opinion:
- Audio does the scary work. A good narrator and a quiet room let the listener’s imagination build the scene. No video budget is needed.
- Serial episodes bring people back. A story that continues next week gives a reason to hit follow.
- Hindi and regional voices feel close. A Bengali horror show reaching the national top eight suggests listeners will follow a story in the language they grew up with.
- Stories repeat well. One roundup says Khooni Monday grew out of the team’s YouTube releases, so a story can live on more than one platform.
Does one chart measure the whole podcast audience?
No. A Spotify chart shows how one platform ranks shows by its own method. It does not count YouTube views, Apple Podcasts or clips shared on WhatsApp and Instagram. Use it as a map of what is working, not as a measure of total reach.
Some shows also reach listeners on YouTube or Apple. So a show missing from the Spotify list may still be large. We also avoid quoting listener counts from aggregators that carry no date, because those numbers are often partial. If you want to know how to get your own show noticed, our advice is simple: publish consistently on every platform and check your own analytics, not just a rank.
What does this mean if you launch a podcast from Jaipur?
It means you can pick a format that suits your voice and your city, not just copy the top chart name. A Jaipur creator can record locally, use Hindi or Rajasthani-flavoured storytelling, and reach a national audience. Pick the format first, then the topic.
A few things we tell people who ask whether a Hindi podcast is better than an English one for growth: neither is automatically better. Choose the language you speak most naturally for an hour. Local guests are also easier to book when the studio is in your own city, and you can run a quick retake in person instead of coordinating across time zones.
If you plan true crime, be careful with real case material. Naming real people or repeating allegations can create defamation risk. Stick to court records and public reporting, change details where needed, and speak to a lawyer before you publish a sensitive episode.
How does production differ for a story show and a guest show?
A story show is built around one narrator, a very quiet room and sound design, while a guest show is built around two or more people, several cameras and live conversation flow. The cost and weekly workload differ more than the topic does.
| Point | Story-led show (horror, crime) | Guest interview show |
|---|---|---|
| Main need | Clean narration, silence, sound effects | Multi-camera video, good chemistry |
| Prep | Script and research | Question flow and guest briefing |
| Mic focus | One close, warm voice mic | One mic per person, no bleed |
| Editing | Pacing, music, effects | Cuts between cameras, reels, thumbnails |
| Rhythm | Write, record, edit weekly | Book guests, record, edit |
How we set up story-led and interview shows at Oskillo
At Oskillo Studio in Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur, we set up both formats in soundproof, acoustically treated rooms. Story shows get a quiet room and a close mic, and interview shows get multicam 4K with live monitoring. Our founders are present at every shoot to guide you.
For a story-led show, Business Class uses a Shure SM7B with a RODECaster Pro II console. Economy Class uses a Shure MV7+ with a Zoom PodTrak P8 recorder. If you want to buy gear for a home setup, the Shure SM7B mic, RODECaster Pro II console and Zoom PodTrak P8 recorder are the ones we know best.
For a guest show, we use two Sony 4K cameras in the Advance packs, and you can choose from sets like the Blue Theme set, the classic wooden library set or the grey vintage set.
Our four-step process is the same for both:
- Concept and strategy: pick the format, language and episode length.
- Pre-production: script or question flow, set choice, mic, light and camera checks.
- Production: recording with live monitoring and on-spot guidance.
- Post-production: edit, colour, audio mastering, thumbnails, captions and platform exports.
Oskillo Studio charges Rs 4,000 per hour for Economy Advance, which includes two Sony 4K cameras, a Shure mic, a recorder, lights and a technician. A podcast edit of up to 90 minutes is Rs 3,000, so a one-hour guest episode comes to about Rs 7,000 including editing. See the full podcast studio pricing in Jaipur, or read about our studio rental. We are open every day from 10 AM to 8 PM, and you can message us on WhatsApp to book a slot. Beginners are welcome, and we offer remote editing if you live outside Jaipur.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular podcast on Spotify India right now?
In the Podstatus snapshot last checked on 3 October 2026, Figuring Out with Raj Shamani is #1. The chart is refreshed daily, so check the live page for today’s order. Raj Shamani also topped the Spotify India 2025 Wrapped list.
Which Hindi horror podcast is most popular?
On the 2025 Wrapped list, The Horror Show by Khooni Monday ranked #2 and Horror Time – Scary Stories in Hindi ranked #7. In the October 2026 snapshot, Akshay Horror Podcast was #3. Rankings change daily, so treat these as snapshots, not permanent titles.
What is the best true crime podcast in Hindi?
There is no single official answer. The Desi Crime Podcast was #3 on the 2025 Wrapped list and #6 in the October 2026 snapshot. SR PAY (True Crime Documentaries) was #8 on Wrapped. Listen to a few episodes and pick the storytelling style you enjoy.
How do I get my podcast on the Spotify India chart?
There is no shortcut. Spotify charts reflect its own ranking method, and we do not know it in detail. What you control is a clear niche, consistent episodes, good audio, a strong title and cover, and promotion on YouTube and Instagram so people actually press play.
How often does the Spotify India podcast chart update?
The Podstatus page describes the Spotify India top podcasts chart as refreshed daily. That is why a show can move up or down within days. Yearly lists like Spotify Wrapped are fixed once published and describe the whole year, not the current week.
Is a Hindi podcast better than an English podcast for growth?
Not always, but Hindi-first shows clearly have room. Many shows in the 2025 and 2026 lists are in Hindi, and a Bengali horror show also charts. Choose the language you speak most naturally; audiences notice when a host sounds forced.
Kya horror podcast ke liye alag studio chahiye?
Alag studio zaroori nahi, lekin quiet, acoustically treated room zaroor chahiye. Story shows mein narrator ki awaaz aur background silence sabse zyada matter karte hain. A good mic, a soundproof room and clean editing matter more than fancy cameras.
Book your session at Oskillo Studio
Soundproof sets, 2 Sony 4K cameras, Shure mics and an on-site technician in Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur. Studio rent starts at Rs 2,000 per hour.
WhatsApp +91 96101 80066 | See all prices | 3rd Floor, VR Theme Park, Gandhi Path, Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur
