India's most generous donor revealed – But it’s not Ambani, Adani or Tata

Shiv Nadar, the founder of HCL Technologies, has once again emerged as India’s most charitable individual, securing the top spot on the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024. Nadar has held this position for three of the past five years, contributing an impressive Rs 2,153 crore (approximately Rs 5.9 crore per day) in charitable donations during the fiscal year 2023-24.

Following Nadar is Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, whose family donated Rs 407 crore through the Reliance Foundation, securing second place in the rankings. Other prominent philanthropists rounding out the top 10 include the Bajaj family, who gave Rs 352 crore, Kumar Mangalam Birla and his family with Rs 334 crore, and the Adani family, which donated Rs 330 crore.

The list also highlights contributions from tech mogul Nandan Nilekani (Rs 307 crore), industrialist Krishna Chivukala (Rs 228 crore), mining tycoon Anil Agarwal (Rs 181 crore), and couple Susmita and Subroto Bagchi (Rs 179 crore), with Rohini Nilekani contributing Rs 154 crore.

This year’s report marks the 11th edition of the annual list, which has seen a record 96 new philanthropists, bringing the total number of individuals and families who donated during 2023-24 to 203. Collectively, these philanthropists contributed Rs 8,783 crore, with the top 10 alone responsible for Rs 4,625 crore of that sum.

Among the newcomers, 38-year-old Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of the financial services firm Zerodha, was recognized as the youngest philanthropist on the list.

A significant increase in philanthropic contributions

The report shows a steady rise in philanthropy across the country, with 18 philanthropists donating more than Rs 100 crore, 30 contributing over Rs 50 crore, and 61 giving more than Rs 20 crore. The entry threshold to be counted among the top 10 philanthropists has nearly doubled in the past five years, rising from Rs 83 crore to Rs 154 crore.

Anas Rahman Junaid, the founder and chief researcher of Hurun India, commented on the evolving landscape of Indian philanthropy, saying, “While there is still room for growth, India’s young wealth creators have shown impressive generosity, especially considering that substantial wealth creation in the country is relatively recent.”

Junaid also noted the diversity among the country’s top philanthropists, with first-generation entrepreneurs like Nadar and Adani standing alongside established family-run businesses such as Ambani, Bajaj, and Birla.

Education and healthcare top focus areas

The report revealed that education remains the top cause for philanthropic donations, with 123 philanthropists contributing a total of Rs 3,680 crore to the sector. Healthcare followed closely with Rs 626 crore in donations. These areas of focus reflect the country’s ongoing challenges in both education and healthcare, sectors where philanthropists can see tangible impacts from their contributions.

Naghma Mulla, CEO of the EdelGive Foundation, explained, “India’s education and healthcare needs are enormous, and there’s a clear gap that needs to be filled. Philanthropy in these sectors offers visible results, which is why they attract such significant donations.”

Finally, the pharmaceutical sector had the largest representation among philanthropists, accounting for 16% of the total list, followed by chemicals and petrochemicals at 9%.

A rising trend

This year’s Hurun India report underscores a growing culture of philanthropy in India, with increasing numbers of individuals and businesses stepping forward to address the country’s pressing social needs. Despite the challenges, the philanthropic sector shows great promise for the future, reflecting both the growing wealth and the sense of responsibility among the nation’s wealthiest individuals.

Top 10 Donors in the Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024

1.     Shiv Nadar & Family – Rs 2,153 crore (Education)

2.     Mukesh Ambani & Family – Rs 407 crore (Supporting Admissions for Disadvantaged Communities)

3.     Bajaj Family – Rs 352 crore (Engineering Education)

4.     Kumar Mangalam Birla & Family – Rs 334 crore (Education)

5.     Gautam Adani & Family – Rs 330 crore (Education for Remote Villages)

6.     Nandan Nilekani – Rs 307 crore (Ecosystem Building)

7.     Krishna Chivukula – Rs 228 crore (Education)

8.     Anil Agarwal & Family – Rs 181 crore (Education)

9.     Susmita & Subroto Bagchi – Rs 179 crore (Public Healthcare)

10.  Rohini Nilekani – Rs 154 crore (Ecosystem Building)