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.
| Rank | Name | Donation (INR Cr) | Growth (%) | Primary Cause | Company/Foundation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shiv Nadar & Family | 2,153 | 5% | Education | Shiv Nadar Foundation |
| 2 | Mukesh Ambani & Family | 407 | 8% | Admission for Disadvantaged Communities | Reliance Foundation |
| 3 | Bajaj Family | 352 | 33% | Education for Engineering | Bajaj Group Trust |
| 4 | Kumar Mangalam Birla & Family | 334 | 17% | Education | Aditya Birla Capital Foundation |
| 5 | Gautam Adani & Family | 330 | 16% | Education for Remote Villages | Adani Foundation |
| 6 | Nandan Nilekani | 307 | 62% | Ecosystem Building | Nilekani Philanthropies |
| 7 | Krishna Chivukula | 228 | New | Education | ASHA Foundation |
| 8 | Anil Agarwal & Family | 181 | -25% | Education | Anil Agarwal Foundation |
| 9 | Susmita & Subroto Bagchi | 179 | 63% | Public Healthcare | Mindtree |
| 10 | Rohini Nilekani | 154 | -10% | Ecosystem Building | Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies |
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, 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.
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.
The 2024 list marks significant growth milestones for India’s wealthiest contributors:
These figures indicate an impressive rise in high-value donations, underscoring the willingness of India’s elite to support impactful social initiatives.
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.
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:
These new entries underscore a growing trend of wealth creators turning towards social impact and contributing to the broader welfare of society.
The list highlighted several philanthropists who made substantial increases in their annual contributions:
These changes reflect the evolving commitment of established philanthropists to deepen their impact across India.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Top 10 Philanthropists in 2024 |
|
| Total Philanthropists | 203 |
| Total Donations | ₹8,783 crore |
| Top Philanthropists | Shiv Nadar & Family, Mukesh Ambani & Family, Bajaj Family, Kumar Mangalam Birla & Family |
| Largest Donation | Shiv Nadar & Family – ₹2,153 crore |
| Youngest Philanthropist | Nikhil Kamath, age 38 |
| New Entrants | 96 new philanthropists, ₹1,556 crore in total donations |
| Top New Entrant | Krishna Chivukula – ₹228 crore |
| Total Self-Made Philanthropists | 109 |
| Top Woman Philanthropist | Rohini Nilekani – ₹154 crore |
| Highest Incremental Donations | Nandan Nilekani – increase of ₹118 crore, followed by Shiv Nadar – increase of ₹111 crore |
| Region with Most Philanthropists | Mumbai (30%), followed by New Delhi (19%) and Bengaluru (9%) |
| Top CSR-Donating State | Maharashtra, followed by Gujarat |
| Top Contributing Sector | Education, with 123 philanthropists donating ₹3,680 crore |
| Corporate CSR Leaders | Reliance Industries – ₹900 crore (₹60 crore above mandated CSR) |
| Key Trends | – 55% increase in donations over two years. |
| – High-value donations: 18 philanthropists donated over ₹100 crore annually. | |
| – Middle-range donations: 30 donated over ₹50 crore; 61 donated over ₹20 crore. | |
| Youth in Philanthropy | Younger entrepreneurs like Nikhil Kamath increasing their contributions. |
| Notable Rank Increases | Harish Shah & Family moved up 53 spots to 22nd with a ₹78 crore donation. |
| Top Focused Causes | Education, ecosystem building, public healthcare, community welfare. |
| Prepared By | EdelGive Foundation and Hurun Report |
| Edition | EdelGive-Hurun India Philanthropy List 2024 |
| Significant Changes | Increase in BRICS nation representation and CSR spending in developed industrial states. |
| Number of Countries Represented | Primarily focused on India, with some reference to BRICS and G20 members. |
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