Cardinal Toppo has dedicated his life to relieving the misery of his people through his vast social work in the States of Jharkhand and Bihar, for example, through detox programmes, education for the poor, and the rehabilitation of lepers. His devotedness was acknowledged by several government agencies, and in 2002 he received the Jharkhand Tatan Award. He created and continues to support the AMTE India Association for suffering, needy children.