India’s giving scene is growing fast, thanks to both people and companies. The EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024 shows the country’s biggest givers. People like Shiv Nadar, Mukesh Ambani, and the Bajaj family are making big differences.
Hyderabad is also shining in giving, with 13 big givers on the list. Dr. Krishna Chivukula, for example, gave ₹228 crore to IIT Madras. He’s one of the year’s top 10 donors.
Key Takeaways
- Shiv Nadar, the founder of HCL Technologies, topped the list with a staggering ₹2,153 crore donation towards education.
- The top five donors contributed approximately 53% of the total charitable giving in India in 2024, amounting to a remarkable ₹4,625 crore.
- The number of philanthropists donating over ₹100 crore increased significantly from just two in 2018 to 18 in 2024.
- Nikhil Kamath of Zerodha, at the young age of 38, emerged as the youngest donor to contribute over ₹100 crore in 2024.
- The philanthropic landscape witnessed a surge in the number of donors, with 96 new philanthropists added to the list in 2024, contributing a total of ₹1,556 crore.
Understanding Philanthropic Landscape in India
India’s giving to charity has grown a lot in recent years. The amount spent on social causes has risen by 13% each year for the last five years. It reached INR 23 lakh crore ($280 billion) in 2023, making up 8.3% of the country’s GDP. Yet, most of this money comes from the public sector, which accounts for 95% of social spending.
Growth Trends in Private Philanthropy
Private giving in India has also seen a big jump, growing by 10% in 2023 to INR 1.2 lakh crore ($15 billion). This increase was mainly due to family philanthropy (15% growth) and retail donations (12% growth). Meanwhile, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and high-net-worth individual (HNI)/affluent donations grew at a slower pace of 7%.
Impact of Economic Growth on Charitable Giving
The strong economic growth in India has boosted charitable giving. Over three years, donations to charity in India have more than doubled. More companies are now following the CSR rule, spending 2% of their profits on social causes. This spending has grown at a steady 7% in 2023.
“The deficit in social sector funding in India could escalate to about INR 15 lakh crore by FY 2028, indicating a potential funding gap to meet social sector requirements in the country.”
Corporate Social Responsibility Leaders
Companies are now focusing more on environmental and sustainability efforts. This is part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. It shows businesses are more aware of their role in helping communities.
The scene of giving in India is always changing, with new trends and projects to tackle social and environmental issues. As the economy grows, the role of high-net-worth individuals and wealth management in charity is expected to grow too.
Top 10 Donors in India 2024
The giving scene in India is changing fast. More people and families are giving big to help others. In 2024, the top 10 donors gave ₹4,625 crore. This is almost 53% of all donations in the country that year.
Shiv Nadar, HCL Technologies founder, led the list for the third year in a row. He gave ₹2,153 crore. Mukesh Ambani, Reliance Industries chairman, was second with ₹407 crore. The Bajaj family was third, giving ₹352 crore, a 33% jump from last year.
Other big names include Kumar Mangalam Birla and family with ₹334 crore, and Gautam Adani with ₹330 crore. New to the list are Krishna Chivukula, Chairman of INDO MIM at seventh with ₹228 crore, and Susmita and Subroto Bagchi at ninth with ₹179 crore.
India’s giving scene has grown a lot. More people are giving over ₹100 crore. This shows India’s rich are serious about solving big problems through donation trends, impact investing, and backing non-profit organizations.
“The top ten donors in India in 2024 have set a new benchmark for philanthropic giving, demonstrating the power of individual and family-led initiatives to drive meaningful and lasting change.”
| Rank | Donor | Donation (₹ Crore) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shiv Nadar and family | 2,153 |
| 2 | Mukesh Ambani and family | 407 |
| 3 | Bajaj family | 352 |
| 4 | Kumar Mangalam Birla and family | 334 |
| 5 | Gautam Adani | 330 |
| 6 | Nandan Nilekani | 307 |
| 7 | Krishna Chivukula | 228 |
| 8 | Anil Agarwal and family | 181 |
| 9 | Susmita and Subroto Bagchi | 179 |
| 10 | Rohini Nilekani | 154 |
Shiv Nadar: Leading the Philanthropy Chart
Shiv Nadar, the founder of HCL Technologies, has been India’s top donor for three years. In 2023-24, he gave Rs 2,153 crore, a 5% jump from the year before. His efforts have greatly influenced India’s giving, focusing on education and tech.
HCL Technologies’ Contribution
HCL Technologies, led by Nadar, has always helped communities and brought about change. They’ve set up the Shiv Nadar University and the Shiv Nadar School network. These initiatives help thousands of students get quality education in India.
Year-over-Year Growth in Donations
Nadar’s giving has grown every year, showing his strong commitment. The 5% increase in 2023-24 shows Nadar’s drive to increase his impact.
Focus Areas of Giving
Shiv Nadar focuses on education, healthcare, and tech innovation. The Shiv Nadar Foundation works to improve education, tech, and healthcare in India’s poor areas.
“Philanthropy is not just about writing a check; it’s about creating sustainable change and empowering communities to thrive. This is the core of our mission at the Shiv Nadar Foundation.”
Shiv Nadar leads in Indian philanthropy, inspiring others to give. His dedication to charitable giving has made him a pioneer among Indian philanthropists.
Mukesh Ambani’s Philanthropic Initiatives
Mukesh Ambani, India’s second richest businessman, has made big strides in giving to charity. In the financial year 2023-24, he and his family gave Rs 407 crore to good causes. This move helped him climb one spot in the list of top donors in the country.
Ambani focuses his giving on education, healthcare, and helping rural areas. He uses the Reliance Foundation for these efforts. The foundation works to improve education, healthcare, and rural development across India.
“Philanthropy is not just about writing a check; it’s about creating lasting change and making a tangible difference in people’s lives,” said Mukesh Ambani, highlighting his commitment to strategic and impactful giving.
The Reliance Foundation works hard in education. It sets up top-notch schools, gives scholarships, and supports digital learning. In healthcare, it builds hospitals, diagnostic centers, and community health programs for those who need it most.
Ambani also works on rural development. He aims to improve farming, create jobs, and build infrastructure in remote places. These efforts help communities all over India.
Mukesh Ambani’s growing efforts in giving show how high-net-worth individuals can change the wealth management scene. They also drive positive donation trends in the country.
Corporate Social Responsibility Leaders
In India, the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is growing. Companies are now spending more on CSR, with INR 28,000 crore allocated for 2023. More companies are following CSR rules, from 30% in 2018 to over 60% in 2022.
Notable CSR Contributions
Companies like Reliance Industries are leading in giving back. They’ve donated over INR 900 crore to social causes. Giants like Microsoft, Patagonia, and Salesforce are also making big moves in CSR.
Regulatory Compliance and Impact
More rules mean companies are doing more CSR. They’re matching their actions with the times and what society needs. This change has made giving more focused and effective, with a focus on lasting projects.
Multi-Year Initiative Trends
Indian companies are now taking a long-term view with CSR. They’re tackling big issues like education, health, and the environment. This shows a new level of commitment and strategy in CSR.
As CSR in India grows, top companies are raising the bar for giving back. With more rules, new ideas, and a focus on long-term projects, they’re making a real difference. They’re helping non-profits and impact investing grow too.
Regional Distribution of Major Donors
The philanthropy scene in India has grown a lot. Now, different areas are key for giving back. Hyderabad stands out as a major player in this field. The EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024 shows Hyderabad is fourth in India, with 13 big donors from there.
In Hyderabad, names like P.V. Krishna Reddy of MEIL gave Rs 33 crore. P Pitchi Reddy gave Rs 32 crore, and Jupally Rameswar Rao of My Home Industries donated Rs 18 crore. These donors have made a big impact on indian philanthropists.
But Hyderabad isn’t the only place with big donors. Andhra Pradesh also has leaders like Jugraj Jain and Praveen Jain of Goldmedal Electricals. They support many social initiatives with their giving.
| City | Number of Philanthropists | Prominent Donors | Donation Amounts (Rs Crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyderabad | 13 |
|
|
| Andhra Pradesh | 2 |
|
|
The focus of big indian philanthropists in certain areas shows the need to understand giving across India. As giving grows in India, where donors are from will shape the future of charitable giving and social initiatives.
Women in Indian Philanthropy
India’s philanthropy scene is changing fast, with women leading the way. Rohini Nilekani, Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani’s wife, is the top female donor. She gave an amazing ₹154 crore in 2023-24.
Women are making a big difference in family philanthropy. They focus on gender equity, diversity, and inclusion. GivingPi shows women are more accountable and tackle complex issues in a unique way.
Rohini Nilekani’s Leadership
Rohini Nilekani, a well-known author and philanthropist, leads many important projects. Her non-profits support education, healthcare, and the environment all over India.
Gender Equity in Charitable Giving
- Susmita Bagchi, co-founder of Mindtree, donated ₹90 crore to improve India’s healthcare system.
- Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, the chairperson of Biocon, contributed ₹85 crore towards research and development in biotechnology and healthcare.
- Sara George Muthoot, from the Muthoot Group, donated ₹74 crore to support education, especially for underprivileged communities.
- Anu Aga, the former chairperson of Thermax, donated ₹48 crore, focusing on education and social welfare.
- Leena Gandhi Tewari, the chairperson of USV, contributed ₹25 crore towards social development causes.
- Ina Ashwin Dani, the co-founder of Samasta Microfinance, donated ₹18 crore to foster self-sustaining communities.
- Archana Chandra, the founder of Aditya Birla Education Trust, donated ₹11 crore to support children with intellectual challenges.
- Shabana Faizal, the co-founder of Faizal and Shabana Foundation, donated ₹10 crore to support youth development, healthcare, and humanitarian aid.
- Ritu Chhabria, the managing trustee of Anand Charitable Trusts, donated ₹9 crore to improve the lives of marginalized and vulnerable communities.
These women are changing lives and inspiring others to give back. They are leading the way in indian philanthropists and charitable giving for social initiatives.
Emerging Trends in Indian Philanthropy
The world of giving in India is changing fast. New trends are making a big impact on how we help others. One big change is more people working together to make a difference. In the last three years, the number of groups doing this has grown five times.
More focus is on helping the planet and making ecosystems stronger. About 53% of these groups are working on these important issues. Younger donors, known as Now-Gen and Inter-Gen givers, are also making a big difference. They want to change the system and care deeply about equality and protecting the environment.
| Emerging Trend | Percentage Focus |
|---|---|
| Collaborative Giving | 5x increase in collaboratives established per year |
| Climate Action and Ecosystem Strengthening | 53% of collaboratives focused on these areas |
| Now-Gen and Inter-Gen Givers | Prioritizing systemic change, GEDI, and climate action |
These new trends in Indian philanthropy show a shift towards working together, caring for the planet, and involving all ages. As giving continues to grow, these changes will lead to real and lasting improvements in India’s society and environment.
Impact of Family-Led Philanthropy
Family-led philanthropy is changing India’s charity scene. High-net-worth families are now focusing on making a lasting difference. They aim for big changes, not just quick fixes.
The next generation of donors is bringing new ideas. They are called Now-Gen and Inter-Gen givers. They want to make a real difference in society.
Next Generation Donors
Young donors are focusing on key areas like education and healthcare. They also care about gender equity, diversity, and climate action. They aim to solve big problems and find lasting solutions.
With their wealth and connections, they are making a big impact. They are working to change India for the better.
Collaborative Giving Approaches
Indian philanthropists are now teaming up with others. They work with the government, non-profits, and social enterprises. This way, they can do more together.
By sharing knowledge and resources, they achieve more. They understand that tackling big problems requires teamwork. Together, they can create real change.
