Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024, Check Top 10 Philanthropists

The EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024 reveals an inspiring rise in philanthropic contributions across India. With over 200 philanthropists donating nearly ₹8,783 crore, this year’s report reflects an increasing dedication among the nation’s wealthiest individuals to drive social change. Here, we examine the top philanthropists, key trends, and the regional impact that showcase the growing importance of individual giving in India’s social and economic landscape.

Top 10 Philanthropists in 2024:

Shiv Nadar Retains Title as India’s Leading Philanthropist

At the top of the list is Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL Technologies, who continues to be India’s most generous philanthropist. For the third time in five years, Nadar has led in donations, contributing ₹2,153 crore in FY 2024—translating to an average of ₹5.9 crore per day. Through the Shiv Nadar Foundation, he has directed his philanthropic efforts towards education and technology-driven initiatives, furthering his mission to transform education in India.

Rohini Nilekani: Leading Woman Philanthropist in India

Rohini Nilekani, co-founder of Infosys and wife of Nandan Nilekani, emerged as the most generous woman philanthropist in 2024, with an annual donation of ₹154 crore. Through her foundation, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, she focuses on ecosystem building, environmental sustainability, and grassroots empowerment. Her contributions highlight an increased focus on sustainable development and support for organizations working at the grassroots level.

Indian Philanthropy at a Glance: A Surge in Donations

According to the report, India has seen a remarkable 55% increase in donations compared to two years ago. The list encompasses 203 philanthropists, who collectively donated ₹8,783 crore. This surge signifies a growing dedication among Indian philanthropists to contribute to diverse causes, including education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and rural development.

Major Milestones in Indian Philanthropy

The 2024 list marks significant growth milestones for India’s wealthiest contributors:

• 18 philanthropists donated over ₹100 crore annually—a tenfold increase since 2019.
• 30 philanthropists donated over ₹50 crore, up by 125% from 2019.
• 61 philanthropists donated over ₹20 crore, marking a 128% increase from five years ago.

These figures indicate an impressive rise in high-value donations, underscoring the willingness of India’s elite to support impactful social initiatives.

Rising Youth in Philanthropy: Nikhil Kamath Leads the Way

Nikhil Kamath, co-founder of Zerodha, stands out as the youngest philanthropist on the 2024 list, at age 38. Kamath’s contributions, aimed at education, mental health, and financial literacy, reflect the involvement of younger entrepreneurs in social impact. His position on the list signals a broader trend of youth-led philanthropy in India, with an emphasis on innovative and inclusive development.

New Entrants and Significant Contributors

The 2024 report saw an influx of new philanthropists, with 96 new entrants contributing a total of ₹1,556 crore. Notable first-time donors include:

• Krishna Chivukula, chairman of Indo MIM, who donated ₹228 crore, marking him as the most generous new entrant on the list. His focus remains on education and community welfare.
• Susmita and Subroto Bagchi, who re-entered the top 10 with donations of ₹179 crore, reflecting a ₹69 crore increase from the previous year.

These new entries underscore a growing trend of wealth creators turning towards social impact and contributing to the broader welfare of society.

Incremental Giving and Major Contributions

The list highlighted several philanthropists who made substantial increases in their annual contributions:

• Nandan Nilekani led with an increase of ₹118 crore in his annual donations, followed closely by Shiv Nadar, who raised his donation by ₹111 crore.
• Harish Shah & Family achieved the largest rank increase, moving up 53 spots to the 22nd position with a ₹78 crore contribution—an improvement of 37 spots from last year.

These changes reflect the evolving commitment of established philanthropists to deepen their impact across India.

Key Sectors of Philanthropic Focus

Education remains the leading cause for Indian philanthropists, with 123 individuals donating ₹3,680 crore towards educational initiatives. Pharmaceutical industry leaders account for the largest number of philanthropists, contributing 16% of the total donations. This focus on education and health showcases the importance of building a skilled workforce and addressing healthcare challenges in India.

Regional Impact and Leading States

In terms of regional contributions, Maharashtra leads with the highest percentage of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) donations, followed by Gujarat. This regional trend highlights the concentration of philanthropy in states with strong industrial foundations, emphasizing the role of economically developed states in driving social change.

Leading Philanthropic Cities: Mumbai and Bengaluru

Mumbai stands as the city with the highest concentration of philanthropists, accounting for 30% of the list, followed by New Delhi (19%) and Bengaluru (9%). This geographical spread aligns with India’s key economic hubs, where wealth concentration drives philanthropic activities.

Corporate India’s Role in Philanthropy

Corporate philanthropy also saw a significant boost in 2024. Companies like Reliance Industries, Jindal Steel, and Rungta Sons exceeded their CSR obligations. Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, donated ₹900 crore to CSR initiatives, surpassing the mandatory CSR spend by ₹60 crore. These corporate contributions highlight the commitment of Indian businesses to support community welfare and sustainable development.

The Rise of Self-Made Philanthropists

An inspiring trend in the EdelGive-Hurun list is the rise of self-made philanthropists. This year saw 109 new self-made individuals, reflecting a 43-person increase from the previous year. These individuals, who have generated their wealth independently, are now investing it back into society, signaling a shift towards socially responsible wealth distribution among India’s entrepreneurs.