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India’s Top 10 Philanthropists in 2025: Know The List

India’s culture of philanthropy has seen remarkable growth in recent years. According to the EdelGive Hurun India Philanthropy List 2025, the country’s top 191 philanthropists collectively donated ₹10,380 crore in FY25, marking an 85% rise over the past three years. Leading this wave of generosity is Shiv Nadar, founder of HCL Technologies, followed by corporate giants like Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani. This article explores the top philanthropists, their contributions, and the emerging trends shaping India’s charitable landscape.

Top Highlights from the Hurun Philanthropy List 2025

Shiv Nadar & family dominate the list for the fourth time in five years, contributing ₹2,708 crore, mainly to education and social development.
Mukesh Ambani & family donated ₹626 crore, with CSR spending exceeding statutory obligations by ₹261 crore.
Rohini Nilekani, ranked 8th, is India’s most generous woman philanthropist, donating ₹204 crore to social innovation and systemic transformation.
The top 25 donors contributed ₹50,000 crore over three years, averaging ₹46 crore per day.
Young philanthropists such as Nikhil and Nithin Kamath of Zerodha are emerging with donations of ₹147 crore.

The focus areas for giving include education, social development, innovation, and systemic change.

Key Trends in Indian Philanthropy

1. Rapid Growth in Donations: The top 191 philanthropists have increased their contributions by 85% in three years, signaling a growing culture of large-scale giving.
2. CSR Contributions Beyond Mandates: Companies like Reliance Industries are going beyond mandatory CSR contributions, reflecting an increasing sense of social responsibility among India’s business leaders.
3. Women in Philanthropy: Female philanthropists like Rohini Nilekani are taking a prominent role in driving social change, particularly in innovation and systemic transformation initiatives.
4. Young Donors Joining the Fray: Millennials such as Nikhil and Nithin Kamath represent a new generation of socially conscious entrepreneurs contributing significant sums early in their careers.